At present, there has been a remarkable advancement in the technology of image recognition and analysis in the world. In China, image recognition and analysis technology has been used to arrest more than 5,000 fugitives and has been effective in a variety of fields such as automated driving.In this article, we would like to introduce some of the hot companies in Japan and abroad for engineers who are interested in companies that are making a splash in image recognition and analysis technology.What kind of Technology is “Image Recognition & Analysis”?First of all, we would like to explain what image recognition and analysis is.Image recognition is a technology that allows a computer or machine to identify what exactly is in an image. This is one of the pattern recognition technologies that read features such as color and shape from an image and put those features into various learning machines to recognize new images.Reference: Ledge.ai / Web Media Specializing in AITranslated from Japanese to English by GtalentTo illustrate with an example, the technology allows AI to analyze features such as “fluffy, small, tail, ears, eyes, and shape” from an image and recognize that the thing in the image is a “cat”.Mechanism for Image Recognition and AnalysisThe basic mechanisms of image recognition and analysis can be classified into two types: “Recognition/Analysis” and “Detection”.（Table Reference：IMagazine /Image Recognition & Analysis, Table translated from Japanese to English by GTalent)“Recognition and Analysis” is the stage of classifying the various information in an image by features. For example, if an image has human features, it is used to determine how many people are present in the image by collecting them. Also, “Detection” is the stage where the information gathered so far (people, cars, etc.) is used to determine where in the image it is located.International Companies that are in the SpotlightWe are going to introduce four companies that are providing Image Recognition & Analysis Technology services that are gaining worldwide attention.ChinaSenseTimeThe company, said to be one of the world’s top-valued venture firms, aims to apply its image recognition technology to a wide range of fields, and is also involved in businesses other than face recognition, such as automated driving and medical image analysis. In addition, SenseTime is also actively collaborating with government companies, and its investor, Alibaba, is expanding its reach into smart city projects.SenseTimeFACE++Face++ is the first company that uses artificial intelligence for facial recognition and is one of the most notable AI startups in the world. In addition to its introduction in the Beijing police force, Face++ authentication systems have also been introduced in several major banks, the Alibaba-affiliated payment service Alipay, and the major car dispatch service Didi.FACE++USAGumGumGumGum is a new type of advertising platform that specializes in creating brand engagement aligned with premium editorial content that is guaranteed to be seen. It is best known for creating in-image advertising.The company is so high-profile that it does business with more than half of AdAge’s top 100 U.S. ad spenders, including Disney, L’Oreal, Toyota and Samsung.GumGumSwitzerlandScanditScandit is changing the way businesses and consumers interact with everyday objects, enabling businesses and consumers to use smartphones, tablets, wearables, drones, and robots to scan barcodes and extend the real-time data obtained by recognizing text and objects in the physical world. Many of the world’s innovative companies are already reaping the benefits of Scandit’s next-generation mobile data capture platform. Clients include world-renowned companies such as Ahold, Levi Strauss & Co, Coop, Macy’s, Louis Vuitton, DHL, Cardinal Health, NASA, and Verizon Wireless.ScanditImage Recognition Technology Companies in JapanWith the growing interest in image recognition and analysis technology in Japan, we would like to introduce some Japanese companies that have already succeeded in expanding their business overseas and companies that provide familiar services using this technology.Manufacturing IndustryYE DIGITALYE DIGITAL has developed MMEye, an AI image evaluation service that uses AI technology to allow for real-time inspection of defective products at the manufacturing site. It is one of the Japanese companies that has become a hot topic not only in the Japanese manufacturing industry but also overseas.YE DIGITAL / AI Image Analysis ServiceDENSODENSO is one of the world’s leading suppliers of advanced technologies, systems, and auto-parts for the automotive industry.Customers include the world’s major car manufacturers such as Toyota, Daihatsu, AUDI, BMW, Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, and many others. Globally, it is a large company that can have more than 200 subsidiaries and affiliates in 38 countries and territories.Denso is focusing on image recognition and analysis, also it is said to have the world’s top-level automated driving technology with its strengths in “image sensing” and “automated driving algorithms”.Denso / Automatic DrivingMedical IndustryHoloeyesHoloeyes is a company that is introducing VR and MR-based services to the medical field and medical education. The company provides services using image recognition and analysis technology that allows data to be converted into 3D and stored as a digital library, which can be viewed at any time.Holoeyes / Medical VRApparel IndustryFirst RetailingStyleHint is an application developed jointly by UNIQLO and G.U, group companies of First Retailing that uses image recognition and analysis technology to search for outfits.The app allows you to search for images of similar clothing outfits from your smartphone’s camera roll, Instagram, and other photos as well as UNIQLO and G.U. products that are similar to those images.StyleHint / UNIQLO & G.U.Chaos Map of Japan’s Image Recognition & Analysis TechnologyFinally, here’s the chaos map of Japanese image recognition & analysis technology published by AISmiley (as of June 2020). In addition to the services we’ve covered so far, there are many other companies offering services.Reference: AISmiley / Chaos Map of Japan’s Image Recognition & Analysis Technology 2020 (Article in Japanese)ConclusionIn recent years, many services that use image recognition and analysis technologies have been created in Japan, and the Japanese image recognition and analysis industry is a great place to grow for IT engineers who want to develop products that have a social impact using such technologies.If you are a foreign IT engineer looking to work for a company with Japanese image recognition and analysis technology, register with G Talent, the leading recruitment agency for foreign IT engineers. Our professional consultants will help you find a job at a Japanese technology company for free.

Due to the impact of the new coronavirus (COVID19), travel to and from Japan has become increasingly difficult. This article is divided into two sections, “Departing from Japan to a foreign country” and “Entering Japan from a foreign country,” with information on reference websites and the current status of travel information for foreigners.Travel Conditions for Entering JapanDue to the spread of the new coronavirus, the entry of tourists and outgoing foreign residents into the country has been restricted since mid-March, and as of July 24, 2020, those who have been in countries subject to denial of landing will not be able to enter the country unless there is a special reason.More detailed information about the countries subject to refusal of entry to Japan and more detailed information is available on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (link below).Note that foreigners (including those from the countries and regions where the entry bans do not apply) who will arrive in Japan with a flight via any of those 146 countries or regions which are subject to denial of permission to enter, with a purpose of refueling or transit, will also be denied to enter Japan in principle. This will apply regardless of whether they have entered those countries or regions or not. Foreigners from the countries and regions, where visa restrictions (suspension of visa validity or suspension of visa exemption measures) do not apply, will also be subject to entry bans if transiting through the 146 countries or regions.Reference:Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan / Border enforcement measures to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19)Information is updated on a daily basis, so be sure to check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website every time you have to travel.Permission to re-enter Japan for foreign residents and studentsRestrictions on entry to Japan have reached more than 120 countries, and the period of restriction is much longer than expected due to the lack of improvement in the pandemic caused by the new coronavirus around the world. There was no guarantee that a person would be able to enter Japan, even if he or she had to return to their home country to take care of a family member who was in their home country for an emergency, or if he or she was studying in Japan and left Japan for a vacation period.However, taking this circumstance into account, the government announced that on July 29, 2020, they will consider re-entry for those with residency status.On August 29, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that expatriates and international students with a status of residence in Japan would be allowed to re-enter the country on a conditional basis from August 5, in order to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. Until now, foreign nationals who had departed from a country or region subject to denial of entry were, in principle, not allowed to re-enter the country.Reference：Re-entry of foreign residents / JiJi.com Translated from Japanese to English by GtalentAs stated in the above news article, the government has announced that from August 5th foreign nationals holding residence statuses, such as international students, permanent residents, long-term residents, and work visas, will be officially allowed to re-enter the country.※Foreigners are not yet allowed to enter Japan for the purpose of tourism. There is also a wide range of residency statuses, so please make sure to check the statuses carefully.What do I need to enter Japan again? What’s the procedure?As mentioned above, the Japanese government announced on August 5 that not only Japanese people are being allowed to re-enter the country, but also foreigners with residency status. Since the number of people coming from the countries subject to refusal of entry is much higher than before, the government has begun to strengthen its quarantine measures to prevent more people from becoming infected in the country.From now on, we would like to explain the documents required to re-enter the country.Documents required for re-entry COVID-19 Test ResultThe prescribed format for the certificate must be completed by the local medical institution and signed or stamped by the doctor.Process and Required Documents for Re-entry Confirmation of Submission of Reentry Related DocumentsYou can download the necessary documents for re-entry on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Application for Confirmation of Submission of Reentry Documents PassportA valid re-entry permit (including a deemed re-entry permit) must be affixed. Resident Card (zairyu-card)It must not have expired.Pre- and Post-Reentry ProceduresYou must take a PCR test within 72 hours of departing from the country / region in which you are currently residing and certify that the test result is negative.You will need to receive a “Confirmation of Re-Entry Document Submission” from the diplomatic mission in your country or region.When you arrive in Japan, you must take the PCR test again, regardless of your country or region of origin.You must do self-isolation for 2 weeks. The place of isolation will be designated by the laboratory director, and you may be required to stay in the hospital or at home.Can you go abroad during corona season?There are many foreign employees and students who have to leave Japan to take care of their parents, relatives, and children, but there are many countries like Japan that prohibit or restrict the entry of people who have stayed in countries with high numbers of infected people (countries subject to refusal of entry).From now on, we are going to provide information on travel from Japan to other countries for foreigners and international students who have been planning to leave Japan or are considering leaving the country.Travel Information for Leaving JapanMore and more countries are gradually easing their travel restrictions and accepting visitors from Japan. As the measures and documents required for arrival in each country differ, we would like to introduce some websites where you can check the travel situation in each country.Website of the Ministry of Foreign AffairsThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs is arguably the most reliable source of information in Japan.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website has a detailed list of entry restrictions for travelers from Japan to each country. It has a detailed list of restrictions on the entry of travelers from Japan to each country.  Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan 1 user79 pocketsBorder enforcement measures to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID…https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html   Trip.comTrip.com is an online travel agency that provides up-to-date information on travel conditions in each country. The website provides detailed information about travelers from Japan in each country. jp.trip.com 1 userhttps://jp.trip.com/travel-restrictions-covid-19/https://jp.trip.com/travel-restrictions-covid-19/提携ホテルは120万軒以上、200ヶ国以上を網羅。3000万件を超えるユーザーレビューで、お客様にぴったりの宿選びも簡単。航空券は5,000以上の目的地からお選びいただけます。24時間・年中無休の日本語カスタマーサポートで、お客様の旅をいつでもお手伝いいたします。 ※For countries not listed on the above two sites, please contact the embassy or consulate for details.ConclusionCurrently (as of August 6, 2020), most countries are experiencing a second wave of infections. As a result, information on travel is constantly being updated. It is always a good idea to check with your home country’s embassy or other authorities for final information based on the information and websites provided in this article.

Studying in Japan for a long period of time, such as for study abroad, working holiday, and job hunting, can be a pleasure, but at the same time, you may be worried about illness and injury.In this article, we would like to explain the conditions for taking out a medical insurance in Japan, the types of medical insurance, insurance premiums, and procedures for foreigners who are planning to stay in Japan for a long period of time.Is it Absolutely Necessary to have government medical insurance?If you are covered by the government’s medical insurance, the co-payment of medical expenses to hospitals is basically 30% for people between the ages of 6 and 70. For example, when a medical cost is 10,000 yen, you can only pay 3,000 yen if you show your health insurance card to the hospital. This is the advantage of medical insurance in Japan.In other countries, it is generally up to the individual to purchase medical insurance, but in Japan, all citizens (regardless of nationality) are required to have some type of medical insurance. In other words, all foreigners who are staying in Japan for a long period of time other than a short stay (3 months) are required to take out a medical insurance policy.What kind of Medical Insurances are available in Japan?In Japan, there are two types of medical insurance in general.1.Social health insurance (Shakai-hoken) The health insurance is for company employees in Japan.2.National health insurance (Kokumin-kenko-hoken) The health insurance is for housewife, freelancer, students with more than 20 years old and so on. In case of foreigners, it’s foreign students and foreigners who came to Japan on a working holiday and so on.From now on, we would like to explain these two types of medical insurance briefly.What is Social Health Insurance for Companies Employees?Social insurance (shakai-hoken) consists of five components: health insurance, employees’ pension insurance, long-term care insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, and unemployment insurance, health insurance is included in this social insurance (shakai-hoken).In Japan, full-time, contract, and part-time employees who meet the following requirements are eligible for social insurance: employees who work 20 hours a week, earn at least 88,000 yen a month and have been working for at least one year. Whenever a company hires an employee who meets certain requirements, it is obligated to have he or she joins the social insurance system.How much is the Insurance Fee for Social Insurance (shakai-hoken) ?The amount of social insurance fee varies depending on the area you live in, your income, and which health association you belong to. Therefore, the fees paid by a person working in Tokyo and Osaka are different.And the payment of social insurance premiums is usually made by the company. The company deducts the monthly social insurance fee from the employee’s monthly salary, so the employee does not have to go through the payment process.In case of employees and family members working for small and medium-sized companies who joined “Association Health Insurance” (Kyokai-kenpo), the health insurance premium rate in Tokyo from April 2020 will be 9.87% of their monthly salary as a monthly health insurance fee.However, instead of paying the entire amount individually, the company and the individual will pay half of the insurance premiums. Therefore, half of the 9.87% of your monthly salary will be deducted from your salary as health insurance premiums.In addition to the health insurance premiums, there are other social insurance fees such as employee pension insurance, which are generally deducted from your monthly salary.※The following links are for information about health insurance.What is a Health Insurance Society?Table of health insurance and employees’ pension insurance premiums since April 2020/ Association Health InsuranceWhat is National Health Insurance (kokumin-kennko-hoken) ?It is a health insurance program run by local governments and is available to those who are listed on the Basic Resident Register and are not covered by the company’s health insurance. You are obliged to purchase this insurance if you are staying in Japan for more than three months for purposes other than tourism. For example, foreign students who are studying in Japan or foreigners who are coming to Japan on a working holiday are required to join the National Health Insurance.If you want to know more about National Health Insurance, please take a look at the links that explain National Health Insurance in English, Spanish, Chinese, and other languages. National Health Insurance in English, Spanish, Chinese and other languages. ((About National Health Insurance / Multilingual))How much is the National Health Insurance Premiums?Insurance premiums vary greatly depending on the city, town, or village you live in, your income, and other factors. The following website provides a simulation of the national health insurance fees. However, please note that fees vary from city to city and town to town, so please use it as a guide only.National Health Insurance Premium Simulation (Japanese)Procedures and the Time Frame Required to Obtain Medical InsuranceProcedures for Health Insurance (social insurance) for full-time, contract, and part-time employeesHealth insurance (social insurance) is medical insurance that foreigners who come to Japan to work. He or She can enroll in when they join a company. Therefore, the first condition for enrollment is that the foreigner must have a labor visa.The application for social insurance (health insurance) is not to be completed by the foreigner him/herself, but together with the company where he/she joins the company. The company and the employee will fill out the documents prepared by the company and submit them to the health insurance association with necessary documents such as the validated residence card, passport, and my-number card.How long it takes for health insurance (social security) to become available?Using the “Association Health Insurance” (Kyoukai-kenpo) as an example, you will receive your insurance card in about 7 to 10 days from the date the company submits the documents. However, it tends to arrive later during the busy season in April and other months when people enter and leave the company. Since this is only an example, the period of time may vary depending on the health insurance association you join.National Health Insurance ProceduresIf you want to apply for National Health Insurance, you must apply for it within 14 days from the date of entry into Japan, the date of your move to another city or prefecture in japan, or the date you lost your social insurance membership (e.g., the date you resigned). Even if you resign from your current employer, you do not need to apply for National Health Insurance as long as you start working at your new employer within 14 days of the date you resigned.In Japan, it is compulsory to enroll in health insurance, so if there is a delay in the application process, you will be billed for the delayed amount at a later date, so please be careful. If you visit a hospital or other medical facility while you are not covered by the insurance, you will be responsible for 100% of the cost of the visit.We would like to introduce what you need in order to enroll in the National Health Insurance.Foreign Students (Ryuugakusei) PassportResident card (Zairyu-card)Student ID cardWorking HolidaysResident cardPassportWhen you lose eligibility for social insurance (when you leave a company)Residence Card or Special Permanent Resident CertificateOne of the following: certificate of disqualification (health insurance), release form, retirement certificate, or tax withholding certificate (with the date of retirement entered)How long it takes for National Health Insurance to become Available?Unlike health insurance (social insurance), you can apply for National Health Insurance at the city hall. The National Health Insurance card is issued on the same day as the application and can be used at hospitals and other facilities from the same dayConclusionIn Japan, it is compulsory to purchase medical insurance so that all citizens can easily go to the hospital even for minor symptoms such as “slightly feverish” or “feeling sick”. Because of this, the amount of money that an individual actually pays at the hospital is about 30% of the total cost.In addition, there is a system called the high-cost medical care benefits system, which sets an upper limit for monthly medical expenses based on income, so if you have a surgery or hospitalization that results in high medical expenses, you can receive a refund for any medical expenses that exceed the upper limit of your copayment.

The pandemic has made Japanese spend most of their time browsing the internet and shopping online. With the increasing e-commerce activities, businesses have shifted their resources and focus on internet marketing requiring the expertise of more developers in the country.Since more people own smartphones than laptops and desktop computers in Japan, what should developers focus on? Should it be the improvement of mobile web experience or mobile application development? The tech industry is taking this opportunity to suggest an emerging technology that can improve mobile user experience.What is a Progressive Web Application?Progressive web applications (PWAs) are websites that use the combination of web and mobile application technologies. It can deliver an app-like experience to users accessing a site or online store through their mobile website. But how exactly are they different from native apps?A native app is a software program similar to a Microsoft Office application. It only works for use on a specific platform or device. However, a PWA works like Google Docs that perform functions similar to native programs but on an internet browser.Though both applications almost perform the same tasks, the PWA’s app-like interface has made it popular among businesses and the IT industry nowadays. But since it’s new in the market, aspiring developers are looking for more information about its qualities and importance in their field.Features of PWANative and mobile applications have been in the industry longer. However, in the past few years, several IT companies have emerged specializing in creating PWAs as more businesses have seen its benefits in terms of sales and shorter development time.Here are some of the features highlighted by developers that make PWA the next big thing in the industry.1. ProgressivePWAs can work on different operating systems, such as Android and iOS, and browsers available in the market. Its progressive enhancement allows it to work on any platforms, unlike native apps.2. Responsive.The PWA’s responsive design can allow the technology to function on mobile devices and a desktop. The UI can also be designed to have a similar interface, like a native app.3. Connectivity IndependentOne of PWA’s selling points is that it can function with either limited or no connectivity due to the enhanced service workers. The loading time of websites is shortened since the website’s content is cached, which also enables offline site usage.4. App-likeUsers can add the page from the website to the device’s home screen like a mobile app.PWA Trends in JapanAn internal team of front-end developers can easily build PWAs as the technology is based on common web standards like JavaScript, CSS, and HTML.The newest PWA frameworks have allowed developers to turn a site into a PWA without issues. They can support the front-end from the platform’s back-end while supporting sales and marketing teams as well.In Japan, companies have been turning some of their business websites into PWAs. Two good examples are the Japanese newspaper company Nikkei, which has shifted from the native mobile app to PWA in 2017, and the gourmet news website Retty. The faster loading times and performance have increased traffic and conversions on their websites.Outlook in JapanNot much attention is paid to PWA since most mobile devices used by the Japanese are powered by iOS. However, in 2018, Apple added a service worker, a core function of PWA, into Safari. Other PWA features such as push notifications, background synchronization, and web manifest, are expected to be developed soon.As Apple continues expanding its PWA plugins and features, the trend for the use of this technology is seen to rise in the coming years. Thus, developers with the knack for PWA are needed in the country.Tools for PWAJapan has seen the need for PWA developers in e-commerce, and with the recent pandemic, the need for fast page display is becoming more evident.Though developers can seamlessly convert mobile websites into PWA, there are cases where they encounter complicated business websites and online stores. Thus, any changes in PWAs are to be made with extra caution. Developers should have the skill to use the right framework and tools for PWA development.Here are some widely used tools used by PWA developers in Japan.1. PolymerThis built-in PWA tool by Google contains templates and provides the best documentation among the open-source PWA tools available. It simplifies the whole development process and shortens the work needed for PWA development.2. AngularJsAngularJs is a widely used PWA tool among web development companies in the world. It has a Jason Configuration and JavaScript to build a dynamic PWA. Since it’s one of the oldest tools, it has the largest community support.3. ReactFacebook created this PWA tool in 2013. It serves as a JavaScript library for interface design and is currently one of the dominant libraries for front-end web interface design. It has better scalability, making it the top choice for building robust applications. Social media giants such as Twitter, Instagram, and WhatsApp have also used this PWA tool.4. VueBig companies like Alibaba and Laravel use this open-source PWA tool. It has easy coding and rendering features, and clear and detailed documentation. The number of Vue developers are limited, which makes them in demand today.5. Apache CordovaThis open-source PWA framework uses plugins to simplify communication between a native web and JavaScript code on the native Android platform. It is a suggested tool for developing PWA for Android. Cordova plugins include battery status, file access, and ringtones, and also supports two other PWA tools: Adobe PhoneGap and Ionic.Will PWAs be The Next Big Thing in Japan?Leading tech companies have been promoting the benefits of PWAs over native apps. It has made its way in the market and has garnered everyone’s attention in the industry for its notable features. Will it overshadow native apps in Japan? Major brand names have started moving from native apps to PWAs, and better things await as this technology continues to develop.When it comes to iOS, Apple has encouraged more of its users to create web applications instead of native apps. As Apple rolls out more PWA features into Safari, Japan will have more iOS compliant PWAs and will need more PWA developers in the future.Sources:https://itegration.com/progressive-web-apps-pwa/https://divante.com/pwabook/chapter/08-features-of-pwa.html#the-core-features-of-a-pwahttps://buildfire.com/pwa-mobile-the-next-big-thing-in-mobile/https://customerthink.com/5-best-tools-for-building-progressive-web-apps/https://www.iflexion.com/blog/progressive-web-app-frameworkhttps://medium.com/@firt/progressive-web-apps-in-2020-c15018c9931c

Developing successful software is one of the most challenging but rewarding feats to accomplish in the ever-evolving technological field. Factors such as rapid technological advancement, increasing customer demands, limited resources, and time limitations are enormous hurdles for development teams to overcome.For brand new software to be realized, the entire development staff must be knowledgeable about essential aspects such as programming, programming languages, frameworks, and APIs.The launching of successful software is also difficult without the perfect collection of individuals and programming experts dedicated to completing the same mission. A development team needs to secure the right project sponsor, product owner, project manager, subject matter experts (SMEs), software developers, technical lead, user acceptance testers, and software testers.Software testers play a pivotal role in development companies; that’s why they are in high demand in a country like Japan. High-quality products, superb services, and technological innovations and breakthroughs from companies are anticipated in the country.But what qualifications do employers in Japan require from aspiring software testers? Discover the prerequisites needed from software testers and the types of responsibilities they’ll have once they join the Japanese workforce.What is a Software Tester?Software testers are some of the essential individuals in software development, as they ensure the overall quality of the products before being introduced in the market. They will inspect the software of any errors, defects, and bugs.During the planning and preparation stages, software testers will review and contribute test plans. Aside from this, they will also handle the assessment, review, and analysis of technical requirements and design specifications.Software testers also play a hand in identifying test conditions. They are crucial in creating test designs, test cases, test procedure specifications, and test data. Plus, they also automate or help in automating the tests.Software testers also assist in development by setting up test environments or support system administration and network management staff in completing this step. They administer the tests and oversee the test environment.Testers are also responsible for documenting the tests, evaluating results, and identifying issues. Throughout the entire process, they will review everything plus write an account of defects and test outcomes.About JSTQB (Certification)Japan Software Testing Qualifications Board (JSTQB), which operates under the rules of the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB), is a qualification system that was created to examine and improve software engineers’ capabilities in testing. These qualification systems were first implemented in partnership with the Japan Science and Technology Federation. For software engineers and testers to work in Japan, they must obtain the JSTQB test engineer qualification certificates.The JSTQB certification test will only be available in Japanese. So, if foreign software testers want to take the exam in a foreign language, they are advised to take it under an “outside company” that conducts the same tests. Foreigners are reminded to check if these exams are administered by a certified company that is also a registered member of ISTQB and complies with ISTQB standards. The tests done by outside companies do not follow the regular JSTQB schedule.JSTQB has 3 types of tests: the Foundation Level, Advanced Level Test Manager, and Advanced Level Test Analyst. Applicants need to have the foundation level certificate and 3 years of work experience to take the two advanced level tests. Foundation level exams are held once every 6 months (mid-February to late August), and the advanced ones don’t have a definite schedule.Both foundation and advanced levels have a multiple-choice format questionnaire. But some items may prove to be tricky, as some questions will require examinees to choose multiple correct answers.Foundation level exams have a time limit of 60 minutes while advanced level exams end after 180 minutes. Examinees can finish the foundation level and leave the examination area for as early as 30 minutes, and advanced level takers can leave after 60. But JSTQB imposes strict guidelines and will not allow the examinees to re-enter the premises after submitting their exams.JSTQB is adamant in keeping the questions a secret, so applicants will have to rely on their overall knowledge, study approach, and work ethic to prepare for the certification exams. Luckily for software testing aspirants, ISTQB publishes the exam’s syllabus on their website.Foundation level takers can check the syllabus here: https://www.istqb.org/downloads/syllabi/foundation-level-syllabus.htmlWhile advanced level applicants can check the syllabi here:https://www.istqb.org/downloads/syllabi/advanced-level-syllabus.htmlQualifications of a Software TesterJapanese application development companies want to ensure that they are hiring the best possible candidates for the job, as they want to compete with or prevail over other development companies. Aside from the JSTQB certification, companies also require software testers to meet additional standards.Companies in Japan are looking for software testers with the necessary educational background. So, software testers who have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, mathematics, or engineering will have the upper hand during the application process.Software testers also need to have the skills to back up their credentials. As mentioned before, testers need to monitor and document test plans and procedures, execute tests, review results, and document problems.They need to understand methodologies and software testing platforms or environments and be knowledgeable about testing tools. They need to master UNIX, Linux, and Windows and be familiar with scripting and command-line tools. Testers are required to be proficient in various programming languages, such as C# or C++, PHP, Java, JavaScript, Python, SQL, and Ruby on Rails.Software testers can improve their chances of employment by having some seminars and training under their belt. But seeing as the entire world is under the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, it would be hard for software testers to attend huge gatherings such as seminars. Fortunately, there are several excellent resources available online.You can attend seminars online (webinars) through the Association for Software Testing (AST)’s Youtube channel. Microsoft Virtual Academy also offers training such as Software Testing Fundamentals course and Live Unit Testing in Visual Studio course online.ConclusionSoftware testers are sought after by companies developing innovative software, as their expertise brings a lot of value for their working and future projects. For an advanced country like Japan where technology companies are everywhere, opportunities for software testers are aplenty.You can apply for software testing jobs in Japan as soon as the COVID-19 crisis is over. Discover openings and useful tips on our website below. Good luck with your future endeavors, and we hope all of you stay safe!

現在、世界で画像認識・解析を用いられた技術の進化が目覚ましいものとなっております。中国では5000人以上の逃走犯の逮捕や自動運転まで様々な分野で画像認き・解析技術が効果を発揮しています。この記事では、画像認識・解析技術で話題となっている企業に興味を持っているエンジニア向けに、日本と海外の注目企業をご紹介していきたいと思います。画像認識・解析はどのような技術？画像認識技術について聞いたことない方はおそらくいらっしゃらないと思います。念のため、最初に画像認識・解析とは何かを説明したいと思います。画像認識とは、画像のなかに一体何が写っているのか、コンピューターや機械などが識別する技術。画像から色や形といった特徴を読み取り、その特徴をさまざまな学習機に入れて新たな画像を認識できるようにしたパターン認識技術のひとつ。参照：Ledge.ai / AI特化型Webメディア例を用いて説明しますと、AIが「ふわふわである、小さい、尻尾や耳、目、形」などの特徴を画像から解析し、画像のものが「猫」であることを認識できる技術のことです。画像認識・解析の仕組み画像認識・解析の基本的な仕組みは「認識・解析」と「検出」の2種類に分類することができます。「認識・解析」は、画像にある様々な情報を特徴ごとに分類する段階です。例えば、1つの画像に人間の特徴があれば、それらを集めて人間何人いるかを見極める段階です。また、「検出」は、これまでに集まった情報（人間、自動車、など）を画像のどきにあるかを見極める段階です。（画像：IMagazine / 画像認識・解析）画像認識・解析の仕組みを簡単でより詳しく説明されていますのでご興味がある方は是非お読みになってください。（IMagazine / 画像認識・解析）海外で注目を浴びている企業これからは、世界で注目を浴びている画像認識・解析技術サービスを提供している4社をご紹介します。中国SenseTime（センスタイム）世界トップクラスの評価額を誇るベンチャー企業といわれる同社は、画像認識技術を幅広い分野で応用することを目指しており、顔認証以外の分野でも自動運転や医療画像解析の事業も行っています。そのほか、政府系企業との連携を積極的も行なっており、出資者であるアリババも熱心なスマートシティ事業などにも手を広げつつあります。SenseTime（センスタイム）FACE++顔認識に人工知能をはじめて搭載した企業であるといわれており、世界的に注目度が高いAIスタートアップのひとつです。北京の警察における導入実績に加え、複数の大手銀行やアリババ系の決済サービスのアリペイ（支付宝）、配車サービス大手の滴滴出行（Didi）などにもFace++の認証システムが導入されています。FACE++アメリカGumGum（ガムガム）GumGumは、見られることが保証されているプレミアムエディトリアルコンテンツに沿ったブランドエンゲージメントの創出に特化した新しいタイプの広告プラットフォームです。イン・イメージ広告を生み出したことで知られています。ディズニー、ロレアル、トヨタ、サムスンなど、AdAgeの米国広告費上位100社の半数以上と取引をしているほど注目を集めている企業です。GumGum / JapanスイスScanditScanditは、企業や消費者が日常の物との関わり方を変え、スマートフォン、タブレット、ウェアラブル、ドローン、ロボットを使ってバーコードをスキャンし、文字や物を認識することで得られるリアルタイムデータを物理的な世界で拡張することを可能にしています。世界の革新的な企業の多くが、Scanditの次世代モバイルデータキャプチャプラットフォームのメリットをすでに享受しています。クライアントには、Ahold、Levi Strauss & Co. 、Coop、Macy’s、Louis Vuitton、DHL、Cardinal Health、NASA、Verizon Wirelessなどの世界的な有名企業が含まれますScandit日本企業の画像認識技術日本でも画像認識・解析への注目が高まる中、既に海外への展開に成功している企業や、この技術を用いて身近なサービスを提供している企業をご紹介したいと思います。製造業YE DIGITALYE DIGITALは、AI技術を利用し、製造現場での不良品などをリアルタイムで検品できるAI画像判定サービス「MMEye」を開発。日本の製造業だけではなく、海外でも話題となっている日本企業の1つであります。YE DIGITAL / AI画像判定サービスDENSO（デンソー）DENSO（デンソー）は、先進技術、システム、コンポーネントを提供する世界有数の自動車部品サプライヤーです。顧客には、トヨタ、ダイハツ、AUDI、BMW、ボルボ、ベンツ、などの世界の主要自動車メーカーが含まれています。世界的には、38の国と地域に200以上の子会社と関連会社を持っていうる大企業です。デンソーは、画像認識・解析に力を入れており、「画像センシング」と「自動運転アルゴリズム」を強みに世界トップレベルの自動運転技術を持っていると言われています。Denso / 自動運転医療業界HoloeyesHoloeyesは、VRやMRを活用したサービスを医療分野や医学教育に導入を行っている企業です。データを3D化させ、デジタルライブラリとして保存し、いつでも閲覧することを可能としている画像認識・解析技術を用いたサービスを提供しています。Holoeyes / 医療VRアパレル業界ユニクロとジーユー「StyleHint（スタイルヒント）」は、ユニクロとジーユーが共同開発を行った画像認識・解析技術を活用した着こなし検索アプリです。このアプリでは、スマートフォンのカメラロール、Instagramなどの写真・画像から、それに類似した服の着こなし画像やその画像に似たユニクロやジーユーの商品を検索できます。StyleHint / ユニクロ・ジーユー日本の画像認識技術のカオスマップ最後に、AISmileyが発表した日本の画像認識技術のカオスマップをご案内します（2020年6月時点）。これまで取り上げたサービス以外にも様々な企業がサービスを提供しています。参照：AISmiley / 日本の画像認識のカオスマップ（2020年）まとめ近年、日本においても画像認識・解析技術を用いたサービスが多く生み出されており、このような技術を使って社会的にインパクトあるプロダクをを開発したいITエンジニアにとって、日本の画像認識・解析業界は大きく成長できる場であると言えるかもしれません。日本の画像認識・解析技術をもつ会社で働きたいという外国人のITエンジニアの方は、外国人ITエンジニアの転職エージェントG Talent（ジータレント）にご登録ください。プロのコンサルタントが無料で日本のテクノロジー企業への転職をご支援いたします。

Japan is known throughout the world as a country with a unique culture and style such as sitting on the floor (Seiza) or eating holding tableware and bringing it closer to their mouth. This unique style is not only reflected in their personal lives, but also the Japanese business world.In this article, we would like to introduce some of the Unique Japanese Business Etiquette that cannot be learned in language schools and other schools for foreigners who are planning to work in Japan or are currently working in Japanese companies.Unique Japanese Business MannersExchange of Business CardsIn the U.S. and other countries, business cards are just contact information cards, but in Japan, it is used as a substitute for greetings. There are some things you should pay attention to when you exchange business cards because there is an old belief in Japan that a business card is the same as a person’s face.When to Exchange Business Cards?In Japan, when you meet someone for the first time, you must exchange business cards when you start working with them. This will be the first impression you get when doing business in Japan, so why not practice the following steps to help you get started?Procedure for exchanging business cardsWe’d like to give you a brief introduction to the process of exchanging business cards in Japan. Take a business cards from the business card case.The first person you need to exchange business cards with in any situation is the boss or superior you are visiting. Before exchanging business cards, you should take out enough cards for each person you are giving them to and place them underneath the card case. You should place your hand on your chest when exchanging cards. The inferior one in the business (Meshita) had to start the exchanging of the business card.When you exchange business cards in Japan, the basic rule is that the inferior person who is visiting should give their card first. The word “inferior” here does not refer to the skills, age or the position of the person, but to the person who offers a business idea. For example, if a salesperson is proposing a product to a company that has been approved for a visit, the salesperson must show his or her business card first. Be careful not to get this procedure wrong, as it is rude to the other party. Give the name of the Company and your Name.When exchanging business cards, instead of offering your business card silently, make eye contact with the person you are giving it to and say, “My name is XX and I work for XX company.Some foreign names are difficult for Japanese people to understand, so try to say your name slowly and clearly using the katakana pronunciation. Receive the business card with both hands.When accepting a business card, say “Thank you” (Choudai-Itashimasu) and accept it with both hands. When you receive the card, be careful not to block the part of the card where the other person’s name and company name are written with your fingers. If you do not know how to read the person’s name, ask the person when you receive the card. During business negotiations, put the business card you received on the left front.Place the other party’s superior’s business card on your card case and arrange them in order of seating position close to your left hand (if you are right-handed).Place the card case in the opposite direction of your dominant hand to prevent it from being dropped accidentally when you are taking notes (if your left-handed, place it close to your right hand).A society where your seat depends on the company hierarchyIn the Japanese business world, you must pay attention to your superiors when you are in a business meeting or a meal. Not just wording, you also need to pay attention to where you sit. Although the above business card exchange manner is well known abroad, the seating arrangement we are about to explain is not so well known in other countries, but it is a business etiquette that has existed in the Japanese business scene for a long time.The order of seating is ① > ② > ③, in order of high hierarchy.As shown in ① above, the seat farthest from the entrance is called “kamiza”. The seat closest to the entrance is called the “shimoza”; in the above diagram, “shimoza” is ③.The Origin of Kamiza & ShimozaIn the Japanese business world, it is common practice to recommend the “kamiza” to customers and superiors.The origin of these words was in ancient times (Muromachi Period 1336-1573) when Samurais still existed. To reduce the risk of the assassination of a nobleman or person of high status, they were to sit away from the entrance. Also, because of the large number of people coming and going out from big rooms, they started asking people of the higher status to sit farthest away from the entrance so that people of higher status would be more comfortable.Even now, this crisis management mindset is still present, not only in meetings but also in taxis and elevators, where we ask our bosses and superiors to sit in a position where they can be safe or stand in a position where they can avoid injuries in a case of breakdown.On-time = 5 minutes agoIn Japan, arriving on time is almost the same as being late for an appointment. Punctuality is taught from elementary school and is part of the Japanese culture. Therefore, it is important to arrive 5 to 10 minutes before the start of a business meeting. Before you leave for your destination, find out how to get there, and if you need to take a train, find out the departure time and transfer point in advance.“First names” or “Last names”?In foreign countries, people often introduce themselves by saying “I am XX” or “My name is XX”, starting with their first name. However, in Japan, when you are in a close relationship with someone, you often call them by their first name, so in Japanese business situations, you should basically call them by their last name with a “san” at the end, not their first name. If the person you are talking to is a customer, you should call them by their last name adding a “sama” at the end.ConclusionThese days, this type of business etiquette is becoming less common in Japan, but it can still be found in various business situations in Japan.However, if foreign employees can use Japanese business etiquette, they can show their colleagues and superiors that they have a positive attitude towards working at a Japanese company and can make a big difference to other employees who are not as well versed in this area.There is no loss in learning the above-mentioned business etiquette, so why not learn it for your career growth?

この1~2年、様々な企業の人事部でAIの導入を検討されていることを見聞きします。今回の記事では、AI時代に何が人事部に必要なのか、実際の人事領域のAIツールのご紹介もしながら、理解を深めていただきたいと思います。多くの人事部が抱える課題人事部は、給与計算、採用などの人材の確保、社員の教育や研修、またはその評価の管理など数多くの業務を行わなければ部署の1つであります。採用活動だけをみても、応募者の母集団などのマーケティング業務、継続的な採用ブランディング、面接の調整、オンボーディングなど、営業的な要素から事務的な要素まで多岐に渡る業務をカバーしなければなりません。そのような背景もあり、業務の効率性が低い人事部では過度な残業が状態化しているケースが多々みられます。その一方で、AIなどのテクノロジーを活用したツールを積極的に導入し、業務効率をあげ、高いパフォーマンスを発揮している人事部もあります。本来、人事部は企業がビジネスを成立させる上で一番重要な人的リソースを増やし、生かすことがミッションであり、今後の人事部においては、革新性と効率化を意識した上で、本来のミッションを果たせる人事部が一層重要になってくるでしょう。AIは人事業務のどこに活用できるのか採用活動におけるAI活用ツール書類選考マイナビと三井総合研究所が共同に開発したプライオのようなツールは、書類選考の際に優秀な求職者のエントリーシートや履歴書をAIで認識することがで、自動で書類選考の可否の判断が可能になります。実際には、AIが最初の書類選考を行い、そこで最低限のスクリーニングを行い、それらを人事が判断するという形で使われているケースが多いようです。面接株式会社タレントアンドアセスメントが提供する対話型AI面接サービス「SHaiN」のは、受検者がスマートフォンを利用し、非対面・非接触で24時間365日どの場所でもAIと対話しながら面接できるサービスです。そして、企業側は評価レポートの結果などを参考に、対面の面接時には候補者ごとに適した質問をしたり、候補者の特徴に合わせた動機づけをしたりすることで、内定辞退防止、入社後の人材配置や育成などに生かすこともできるそうです。SHaiNは、「遠隔地受検者への受検機会の提供」、「戦略採用メソッドに基づいた評価基準の統一」、「採用担当者や面接官の面接工数の削減」といった部分が評価されており、2020年7月20日の時点で、200社以上の企業が利用しているそうです。参考：AI面接サービスSHaiN 導入企業 200社を突破/PR Times社員評価におけるAI活用ツール株式会社ヒトラボジェイピーが提供するAIを活用した人材評価ツール「マシンアセスメント」は、アセスメントにかける時間と費用が大幅に削減され、どの社員に投資すべきか？ どの社員を昇進させるか？など、企業におけるタレント人材の発掘、育成、選抜のスピードが格段に上がり、均質な基準での評価判断ができるようです。ヒトラボジェイピー社は、これまで約１万人の人材の評価、発掘、育成のアセスメントを行ってきており、そのアセスメントノウハウをAIに学習させ、成果を記した文章から該当者が持つビジネスコンピテンシーを自然言語処理技術を用い30余種類に分析、可視化を可能にしたそうです。事前にAIにハイパフォーマーの行動特性を学ばせているため、現場のしがらみのない状況で、市場競争力という観点から“均質な基準”で評価し、ポテンシャル人材、タレント人材の発掘を行うことができるようです。参考：人材評価もAIが代替する時代に。評価ツール「マシンアセスメント」は進化するHR Techに新たな地位を築けるかAI時代の人事はどうであるべきか上記で紹介したAIが活躍している分野で共通しているものは、人事に今まで多くの時間が必要となっていた業務をAIが自動的に行うことによって、その作業に使っていた時間を他の業務に使えるようにしていることです。つまり、AIが仕事を全て行うものはなく、あくまで人事が自分の仕事を効率よく行うために使われています。では、AI技術の発達がはやいこの時代に人事部に要求されるスキルはどういったものなのでしょうか。判断力のあるチャレンジャーなぜ人事はチャレンジャーである必要があるのか？それは、様々なAIツールがある中で、自社にメリットが高いものを判断し、その技術に恐れず、業務効率の向上や優秀な人材の確保に積極的に使用することが重要です。ただ単に多くのツールを試せばいいことではなく、人事がAIツールに具体的な役割・目的・目標を決めることがAIｘ人事の一番重要な部分です。まとめ人事とAIを合わせることによって、業務効率の向上や優秀な人材の確保は容易になりますが、その代わり人事部に技術を使いこなせる力だけではなく、人間らしいスキルが以前よりもさらに求められている時代になるのではないでしょうか。自社の更なる成長のために、現在の人事業務の課題を洗い出し、整理を行なった上で、AIツールの導入を試してみてはいかがでしょうか。

この記事では、これから日本で就職活動をする外国人留学生向けに、2021年卒業予定の就職活動をしている日本人大学生に人気がある企業やその理由をまとめています。他の国とは異なり、日本ならではのユニークな結果となっています。これから日本で就職活動をする外国人の方は是非ご参考にされてみてください。日本の大学生（2021年卒業予定）の就職人気企業ランキング新卒学生向けの就職情報メディアのキャリタス就活21が、2021年3月卒業予定の大学生・大学院生を対象に就職希望の企業についての調査を行っています。そのランキングがこちらとなります。8位三菱商事総合商社順位企業名業界1位東京海上日動火災保険損害保険2位損害保険ジャパン損害保険3位伊藤忠商事総合商社4位三井住友海上保険損害保険5位日本航空（JAL）空運6位全日本空輸（ANA）空運7位ソニー総合電機9位サントリーグループ食品10位トヨタ自動車自動車メーカー参照：キャリタス就活21/人気企業ランキング基本的には大手企業ばかりとなり、これは他の国においても同じような傾向になると思います。しかし、1位、2位、4位が損害保険会社というのは他の国では考えられないことだと思います。現在の日本の大学生は就職で何を求めているのか、なぜ海外で人気のインターネット企業やメーカーではなく、保険会社を選んでいるのでしょうか。なぜ損害保険会社が人気なのか？新型コロナウィルスの影響によって募集人数を減少した企業が多々ある中、損害保険会社は採用募集人数を減らしていないようです。損害保険会社は給与が比較的に高く、安定をしている印象があり、また学校の専攻なども関係なく、幅広い層の学生が応募ができることが人気を集めているのではないかと考えられます。また、自動車保険の営業がメインだった損害保険は、近年、自動車の需要がなくなる可能性を考慮した上で、地震などの災害時に適用される保険に力を入れているため、損害保険業界はまだ成長性が高いと考えられます。3つの損害保険会社がランクインすることで、21年卒の就活生は、チャレンジができる職場より安定な就職先を求めていると考えられます。人気が上昇・低下した企業今年トップ10にランクインした企業の中にはJALや伊藤忠商事のように毎年人気がある企業もあれば、東京海上日動火災保険などの損害保険会社のように、今年になってランキングが更に上位に上がった企業もあります。これからは、ランキングの中でも特徴的な5つの企業について詳しく説明をしていきたいと思います。東京海上日動火災保険東京海上日動火災保険は、前年の人気企業ランキングでは10位でしたが、今年は1位となりました。この背景としては「平均年収の高さ」や「グローバルな環境」が要因として考えられます。平均年収の高さ東京海上日動火災保険では、基本給は他の企業と大きく差はないのですが、各社員がもらえる賞与は年収に大きな影響を与えています。この会社の平均年収は約835万円ではありますが、業績によると1000万円を超えるケースがよく見られます。入社2ヶ月目の新卒社員に約60万円のボーナスが支給されたことがあり、この点で他の企業よりも収入面で魅力的と言えます。また、給与以外にも、社員には最大10万円の家賃補助が支給されたりするため、福利厚生においても優れており、待遇面で魅力を感じやすい企業と言えます。グローバルな環境東京海上日動火災保険は、国内だけではなく、グローバルに事業展開をしており、約45の海外拠点があります。世界の様々な大都市で働くことができるのも人気の理由と言えるでしょう。そのため、働く環境においても、ダイバーシティが浸透し、留学生や海外の方々にも人気の就職先となっているようです。伊藤忠商事日本には「商社」というビジネス形態の企業が大きな影響力を持っています。特に「総合商社」と言われる伊藤忠商事や三菱商事、住友商事などは常に大学生に人気がある就職先です。総合商社とは？総合商社は、食品、エネルギー資源、機械など様々な商品をグローバル規模で調達を行い、日本国内に限らず世界で販売を行なっています。国に大きな影響を及ぼす大きなプロジェクトもあり、またグループ会社にメーカーや金融会社などもあるため、グルーバルに大きな規模で事業を展開しています。平均年収の高さ伊藤忠商事の平均年収は約1400万円となっており、日本の企業の中でも非常に高い水準と言えるでしょうk。新卒1年目でも総合職社員の平均年収は約550万円なので、入社して1年目から高い水準の給与が得られることになります。様々なスキルの取得大手総合商社には日本国内や世界から優秀な人材が集まっており、ビジネスのノウハウを学べる環境がそこにあるだけではなく、優秀な人材から様々なスキルを取得できる側面もあります。英語などの語学、ファイナンスなどグローバルにビジネスをしていくためのスキルを学ぶことができることも人気の理由の1つと言えるでしょう。日本航空（JAL）航空会社特有の福利厚生社会保険や交通手当などの一般的な福利厚生の他に、社員用航空券制度があります。この制度は社員が9割引きで航空券を購入することができるJAL特有の福利厚生です。旅行が趣味な学生にとって、とても魅力的に感じる福利厚生であることは間違いありません。平均年収の高さ航空業界は一般的な平均年収も高く、その中でもJALの平均年収は約827万円と業界の中でトップクラスとなります。サントリーグループ海外進出の成功日本の大手飲料メーカーと言えば、キリンやアサヒ、サントリーなどが挙げられますが、その中でもサントリーが常に高い人気を集めています。その理由として、社風の魅力が良く挙げられます。「やってみなはれ」という創業者の有名な言葉がある通り、様々な新しい物事にチャレンジをしており、実際に海外への進出も一番最初に成功を収めているのもサントリーです。非上場企業サントリーグループは非上場企業であるため、株主のために短期的な成果を出す必要がないことから、長期的なプロジェックトに携わることが可能であることも魅力の1つなのではないでしょうか。トヨタ自動車なぜ人気が低下した？トヨタと言えば、日本で一番時価総額が高い企業であり、世界的にも有名な自動車メーカーとなります。日本の大学生の就職先として現在も１０位と高い人気ではありますが、数年前と比べると就活生への人気は少しずつ低下しています。なぜなら、現在の若い層は自動車への興味が減っており、また自動車業界の今後を考えると、必ずしも成長産業とは言えない状況です。自動車への興味を持たなくなった学生が増えれば増えるほど、自動車メーカーに就職したい学生は今後も減少していくかもしれません。まとめコロナショックをきっかけに、2021年卒業予定の大学生は今まで以上に安定性を求めていると言われています。そのため、今後もランキングの上位には安定性が高い企業が入ってくると思います。その他にも、新たな考え方や国際的なコミュニケーションを求める学生が近年増加しているため、三井住友海上火災保険や伊藤忠商事などのダイバーシティや国際的な展開に力を入れている企業が就活生に人気も集めていくと考えられます。日本で就職をすることによって、ご自身が望んでいるキャリア構築が実現できるよう心よりお祈りしております。日本での就職を考えている留学生でIT関連の仕事に就職したいという方は、外国人ITエンジニア専門の人材紹介会社G Talent（ジータレント）にご登録ください。プロのコンサルタントが無料で就職活動をサポートいたします。

The new Japanese Immigration Policy, spearheaded by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in late 2018 and implemented later in April 2019, is the country’s way of addressing the depleting and aging Japanese workforce, especially in their IT industry.The current administration is looking to hire at least 345,000 foreign workers in the next 5 years. They initiated the program by creating two types of visas. The first visa is for the “low-skilled” aspirants (Specified Skills Visa-1 or SSV-1) who are allowed to work for a maximum of 5 years. The second is for the “medium-skilled” ones (Specified Skills Visa-2 or SSV-2) who can stay for 10 years, with non-stop renewable visas and even the option of applying for permanent visas after.But as of recently, only a small portion of the applicants have been granted employment by the companies, with only 30,000 estimated foreign IT workers being a part of the Japanese workforce today.What could this mean for the future of foreign IT workers? Is Japan truly ready to embrace immigrants into the workforce? And what’s the best type of visa that IT professionals can apply for to ensure employment? In this article, we’ll address all of those questions and understand how the new Japanese Immigration Policy affects foreign IT workers.Overall Response to the New Japanese Immigration PolicyAlthough the government has good reasons to execute the Japanese Immigration Policy, it still managed to have mixed reactions from everyone, including some local leaders, traditional Japanese nationals, and foreigners seeking long-term employment in the country.Some officials were skeptical about the new program noting that previous policies with similar platforms, such as Japan’s “trainee” program, have failed due to inadequacies and proneness to abusive practices. Leaders also voiced concerns over probationary employees under the existing trainee program being forced to work excessive overtime, severely underpaid, and in some instances, having their passports embargoed by their employers.Meanwhile, traditionalists criticize the policy as an “easy” route for foreigners to take if they desire to live in the country permanently. Aside from allowing workers to be permanent residents, it also gives them the ability to naturalize their respective families. Some Japanese nationals also take issue with the ever-growing presence of foreigners in Japan.On the other hand, foreigners praise Japan for welcoming international talents and creating new programs that will benefit foreign aspirants and boost the country’s economy. IT workers are especially thrilled, as the country has tons of great opportunities for tech experts to grab. And even though some people have not yet embraced this new concept, the current regime is invested in making this vision come to fruition.Will Japan Finally Open Its Doors to Immigrants?Because of the constant skepticism towards the policy and only a small number of foreign workers have successfully applied for jobs in the country in recent months, many have wondered if Japan has genuinely opened its doors to gaijin like the thousands of aspiring IT workers.The answer is a resounding yes. Even before Prime Minister Abe lobbied for the new program, Japan saw an increase in the presence of foreigners in the country every year. And since April 1, 2019, when the immigration policy was officially implemented, various industries have accepted foreign workers. In fact, in the first 6 months of the new system, Japan saw its highest recorded foreign worker population with 1,658,804.In recent months, however, there has been a decline in the number of applicants from international talents hired by Japanese companies. It has absolutely nothing to do with the companies, the local government, the policy’s skeptics, and even the aspirants. Japan’s current administration is doing its absolute best to fulfill their goals with the new immigration policy.In the first months of the pandemic, the job market has been slow in accepting applications from international talents, but this isn’t true for IT companies. As the tech industry embraces the online application process, IT professionals’ job market continues to welcome foreign applicants as the need for workers in this field is expected to rise.The coronavirus may have put a setback in Japan’s job market, but aspiring foreign workers in the IT field and other industries can still apply for work visas overseas during the pandemic. Japan has gradually eased its travel restrictions to kickstart the country’s economy. As soon as the travel restrictions are completely lifted, foreigners can start working in the country again.Japan’s Immigration Policy – The New Specified Skills VisaThe new Specified Skills Visa or SSV is perfect for workers seeking opportunities in the IT industry of Japan. The government’s goal is to make up for the expected 800,000 IT worker deficit by 2030. So, there are plenty of employment openings that are just ripe for the picking.Machine Parts and Tooling industry:IT workers who can assist them in machine inspection and maintenance.Electric, Electronics, and Information industry and Industrial Machinery industry:IT workers to aid in manufacturing, electronic and electrical equipment assembling, and machine maintenance.Construction industry:IT workers who are experts with telecommunications.Shipbuilding and Ship Machinery industry:IT workers who can help in electrical equipment assembling.Automobile Repair and Maintenance industry:IT workers who can support maintenance and repair for cars’ infotainment systems.Manufacture of Food and Beverages:General food and beverage manufacture.Aside from the tons of opportunities available, another great thing about the SSV is how the Japanese government will take care of the foreign workers who’ll be residing in the country.Companies are required to give services such as housing support, Japanese language, lifestyle, and administrative procedures tutorials, assistance with work-related concerns, and even providing aid to international talents who have been terminated or are subject to termination.But for international IT workers to work under the SSV program and avail of these benefits, they have to meet specific requirements. For SSV-1 workers, they need to have a Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N4 certificate, have a passing grade in the Specified Skills Test, and be able to stay and work in the country for 5 years.Meanwhile, applicants of SSV-2 have to compile their JLPT N4 certificate, proof of a higher level of specialized skill with experience and must be able to reside in the country until they become a permanent Japanese resident.ConclusionThe Japanese Immigration Policy has positively affected foreign IT workers in Japan. Despite the COVID-19 situation, the future of foreign IT workers in Japan looks promising. The Japanese government has exerted so much effort in making immigrants feel welcomed in the workforce despite some backlash. The country’s SSV program presents terrific openings for foreign workers and IT talents alike.Take this time to learn more about Japan’s Immigration Policy and apply for work online at the comfort of your home. Your next IT employment opportunity could be in Japan. Discover openings and useful tips on our website below.Sources:https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46492216https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/japan-labor-migration-reforms-breaking-pasthttps://thediplomat.com/2020/01/is-japan-ready-to-welcome-immigrants/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2019/01/30/how-tos/demand-non-japanese-engineers-growing-know-youre-apply/#.XsYnCmgzZPZhttps://www.nippon.com/en/in-depth/d00572/covid-19-and-the-crisis-in-japanese-immigration-policy.htmlhttps://www.nippon.com/en/in-depth/d00515/https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Japan-immigration/Japan-bumps-into-challenges-welcoming-overseas-workershttps://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/07/a022f23f4d45-coronavirus-outbreak-latest-july-1-2020.htmlhttps://www.mofa.go.jp/files/000459527.pdf