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The number of foreigners working as permanent employees within Mie prefecture is on the rise. What kinds of companies do foreign employees work at? What kinds of initiatives are companies using to help foreign employees take on an active role?

Social Welfare Service Corporation Seizanrikai

Seizanrikai manages 50 nursing homes and other facilities for elderly people and disabled people around Yokkaichi, Kameyama and Nagoya. In 2009, they hired Nikkeijin (Japanese emigrants and their descendants) residing in Japan who were trying to find work as permanent employees. They have been developing their employees by supporting them in obtaining nursing care qualifications.

They currently have approximately 600 nursing staff. 10% of the staff are people from Brazil, the Philippines, Peru and Bolivia. Foreign students attending the adjoining vocational school which they operate are also working part-time for the company.

In addition to foreigners, the company also employs a diverse staff including older people, young men and people with disabilities. To ensure that everyone can participate, the company carefully divides tasks and clearly defines roles (such as laundry, delivery, night shift) when recruiting for the nursing facilities.

• Nursing Care Staff Mori Kameri Yukie

I came to Japan from Brazil when I was two years old. With the goal of becoming economically independent, I quit my part-time job and started working at Seizanrikai.

I am currently working at a facility where 120 people with dementia live. Although meal assistance, bathing and toileting are my main tasks, I do not just do everything without asking. We tailor our support to the needs of the people we are caring for. The residents are our elders and respecting them is also central to our work.

Every day is different so I am still not used to the work but I am blessed to have excellent supervisors and colleagues who support me.

• Life Counselor Zheng Shang-hai

In China I was working as a manga translator and doing interpretation. In 2000, I came to Japan, obtained a postdoctoral degree in welfare and found employment at Seizanrikai.

Currently, I offer counseling to the residents and their families at the elderly care facilities and coordinate communication with related organizations such as hospitals and the government. The work is difficult as I am consulted about personal problems that may not have a solution, but I enjoy being able to work with people. It is a job where I get to help others and that is very fulfilling. When you’re working, it’s important to want to keep making things better so I am also working towards improving things at the workplace.

Shakai Fukushi Hojin Seizanrikai (Social Welfare Service Corporation Seizanrikai)
Establishment: June 1973
Head office location: Mie-ken Yokkaichi-shi Yamada-cho 5500-1
URL: www.normari.jp

Ms. Yang Yang, an international student attending university in Mie Prefecture, Mr. Yaekashi James, a high school student, and their assistants for this assignment Mr. Minamikawa Masami and Ms. Masuda Riko conducted interviews at Seizanrikai.

The article is posted here:

Articles coverage by foreign reporters
www.mief.or.jp/jp/gaikokujinkatsuyaku.html
(社会福祉法人青山里会) (Japanese · Chinese · Spanish)

A report meeting is also scheduled:

Business visit report meeting
Date and time: Saturday, December 8, 2018
13:30 ~ 15:15
Place: Ust Tsu 3F(Tsu-shi Hadokoro-cho 700)

This project was produced with a subsidy from the CLAIR (Council of Local Authorities for International Relations)