News in Easy English: Companies in city in Kyoto Pref. need foreign workers

FUKUCHIYAMA, Kyoto -- A new survey shows many local companies in Kyoto Prefecture are hiring foreign workers because they have a shortage of local employees. The survey was conducted by the Kyoto Tamba-Tango Network, a nonprofit organization, and a lab at the University of Fukuchiyama led by associate professor Zhang Mingjun. The results were released on September 24, 2023.

The survey interviewed 32 businesses and found that 90% of them hired foreign workers due to a lack of local workers. The companies included 11 factories, seven construction firms, seven care providers, and seven other types of businesses. Some companies had 30 or more workers, while others had only 11 or fewer.

The foreign workers in these companies were mainly from Vietnam, Indonesia, and China. When asked about their plans, 60% of the businesses said they wanted to increase the number of foreign employees, while 40% wanted to keep the current number the same. No business suggested reducing the number of foreign workers.

To assist these foreign workers in settling into the city, 83.3% of the companies said they needed support in participating in community activities, and 73.3% wanted better cooperation with government and community groups. However, only 58.1% of the companies reported having significant connections with the local community.

Some businesses participated in local events, met community members, and engaged with local groups or the government. Despite these efforts, there is still a gap between what companies want and what they are currently doing to support foreign workers. The survey, along with a full report from the results of three surveys, including one focused on foreign workers, highlights the challenges companies face.

They have a shortage of workers, foreign workers require assistance with the Japanese language, and their ties to the community are weak. The report concludes that companies, government agencies, and support organizations should collaborate to address these issues.