“JPIC And The Nikkei Jin Living In Japan – A Picture of Recovery”
It has been two years since Northeast Japan experienced one of the world’s greatest calamities but so much changes and reconstructions have been undergone since then.
Japan’s economy slipped into a temporary recession following the devastation. Nikkeijin working with companies directly affected by the disaster suffered temporary shorter working hours and limited working days but those are all in the past because as of this writing working situation have returned to normalcy though some nikkeijin moved to other cities with another company but loyal ones opted to stay. To mention few loyalists like the Yamaguchi-Tungkalan Family, Suemitsu-Ibanez Family, Hayashi-Villas Family, Yawaka-Mumar Family, Tsunashima Family, Nakagawa-Hiquial Family, Toyoda-Magallon Family and Kamiyama Family.
On July 9, 2012, was the start of a new residency management system wherein a resident card will be issued and alien registration system abolished. The re- entry permit system has also been changed. Nikkeijin who will be entering Japan within one (1) year of their departure not be required to apply for a re-entry permit. This new system is favorable to the nikkeijin.
Employment availability status in food industry remains average and favorable in most parts of the country like Hokkaido, Sendai, Fukushima, Tochigi, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Nagoya, Kagawa and Kagoshima. Japanese government is encouraging and showing appreciation to nikkeijin going to Sendai and Fukushima by not collecting visa fee. Though there was a mass lay-off in Sony-Gifu (electronic industry) last year – this year electronic and car industries are picking up.
More sponsorship is forecasted for summer season as Japanese food and car industry kick into action once again. Nikkeijin are expected not to be very choosy and refused difficult, wet and messy jobs; to take care of the present job they have; learn Nihongo; understand by heart and embrace Japanese culture and traditions, to obey rules and regulations of Japan; inculcate sense of gratitude and to acquire new skills to be competitive and successful in Japan and globally.