Home > Activities of technical intern trainees > Technical Intern Training Program Results Report 2008
Case 5: Trusting Relationships Developed from Sincerity
(The Miyagi Apparel Cooperative, Osaki, Miyagi)
The Miyagi Apparel Cooperative
Miyagi is known for production of the high-quality rice species, Sasanishiki and Hitomebore. JITCO staffs visited the birthplace of this Japanese staple, to interview the Miyagi Apparel Cooperative in Furukawa, Osaki, a northwestern city in Miyagi prefecture. Miyagi Apparel is based in Furukawa, which is located in the north of Sendai, the capital of Miyagi, and has more sewing businesses. Our first impression of Miyagi Apparel's building and the interior was 'homely', but after speaking with staff at the cooperative, we felt the impression might have actually come from their family-like feeling towards trainees and interns as well as their friendly and honest personalities.
Miyagi Apparel was founded in December 2000, and accepted 19 trainees for the first time in August 2001. The cooperative consists of 11 affiliate companies and has accepted 464 female trainees from China.
President Akio Oikawa
JITCO staffs interviewed President Akio Oikawa and Administrative Manager Yuji Maki.
The cooperative began accepting trainees when the aging of employees had become a concern. The accumulated skills needed to be passed on, but there wasn't anyone from the younger generation ready to learn. Upon learning about the Industrial Training and Technical Internship Program, the cooperative started to think that having international trainees could definitely be a solution.
Being asked about his motto, Mr. Oikawa answers that he makes sure he interacts with trainees with sincerity. He speaks smiling with passion. We also asked Mr. Oikawa about Miyagi Apparel's activities with affiliate companies, it became clear that what he values has been practiced surely in the cooperative.
Administrative Manager Yuji Maki
Miyagi Apparel holds regular monthly board meetings. The meeting ensures that all board members provide the uniformed instructions to affiliate companies. Things are discussed in detail until everyone clearly understands. Topics vary: bicycle rules; separating waste; ensuring proper operation of the training system; and, how to manage the safe where trainees' valuables are kept. The decisions are announced at the representative meeting for each affiliate company.
Audits are performed every three months by a team including a board member, the administrative manager, and an interpreter if necessary. Board members assess accepting conditions in person. Additionally, study groups are organized with lifestyle mentors from affiliate companies, and funds are provided for recreational events when trainees participate. When any problems arise, cooperative staff goes to the site immediately to resolve them regardless of weekdays or weekends, with interpreters when necessary. The administrative office consists of only two people, but they maximize their effort to provide care attentively and timely to both affiliate companies and trainees. This sincere and passionate attitude naturally permeates through affiliate companies and trainees, so companies are very supportive of the cooperative's decisions. These organizations functions as one, and create positive synergies.
Miyagi Apparel sends representatives from every affiliate company to directly select candidates who will best fit into the company culture, and who also possess the required skills. Companies may develop stronger bonds with trainees when selection processes are conducted in this way.
Miyagi Apparel has been actively promoting trainees to take advanced-grade tests. In 2008, technical interns took the Basic Grade 1 test upon completing their first year of internship, with many of them passing. The cooperative hopes to prepare trainees for the Grade 3 test some time soon, the representatives enthusiastically stated.
Excerpt from Special Terminology Glossary Compiled by the Cooperative
Miyagi Apparel utilizes unique activities in the initial group training. For Japanese education, the cooperative compiled an original glossary of sewing terms to help trainees become familiar with their work situations sooner. Also, the cooperative asks new trainees to write down their goals and dreams on the back cover of their notebook. When trainees feel homesick or have a difficult time during training, they can look at the writing and regain their enthusiasm. The goals and dreams are exclusive to trainees themselves, and staff members at the cooperative or employees at affiliate companies do not know what they are. The notebooks are trainees' time capsules. The messages written in the notebooks are messages for their future selves. This is such a simple process, yet a very nice idea because the notebooks will always remind trainees of their experiences in Japan after they return home.
The cooperative wants trainees to adjust well to the new environment, and stay healthy so they can concentrate on training. So, shokuiku, or comprehensive food education, is focused on in the training program as well. Specialists and nutritionists from the public health center teach trainees about balanced diets using pictures of ideal menus. A president from one of the affiliate companies takes trainees to the supermarket for grocery shopping, and then shows them how to cook traditional Japanese home meals.
The Balanced Diet Seminar
A Company President Showing Trainees How to Cook
The training also includes disaster management activities. From now on, trainees are scheduled to attend experiential classes for fire and earthquakes along with first aid training at the new Tome City Fire and Disaster Management Center completed in 2008.
Miyagi Apparel's small team works hard every day and with sincerity, trying to be creative so the trainees are comfortable and able to perform better, and cooperating strongly with affiliate companies. The cooperative's effort wins irreplaceable trust from affiliate companies and trainees. As JITCO staffs saw at two affiliate companies after this interview, the feeling of mutual respect and appreciation between the cooperative members and affiliate companies and trainees was apparent.
TopFriendly and Joyous Smiles (Oikawa Hifuku Co. Ltd., Tome, Miyagi)
Oikawa Hifuku Co. Ltd.
We entered a beautiful western-styled building of Oikawa Hifuku Co. Ltd. In the lunch break, a trainee energetically came out of the dormitory, greeting us with "Konnichiwa!" Another trainee came out of the building singing a Chinese song cheerfully, but was startled at our presence. She then also greeted us with a shy smile. As we walked into the office feeling this joyous and warm atmosphere, Mr. Akio Oikawa zestfully greeted us. Mr. Oikawa is the president of the Miyagi Apparel Cooperative and also the Chief Executive Officer of Oikawa Hifuku Co. Ltd.
Oikawa Hifuku was founded in March 1973. The company is specialized in manufacturing various school and government uniforms. Oikawa Hifuku has accepted 48 trainees in total and it accepted six trainees for the first time in August 2001. Currently, the company is accepting six trainees and twelve technical interns, and all these women are from China.
CEO Akio Oikawa and Ms. Gao
It has been mentioned that Miyagi Apparel sends recruiters from accepting companies to China in order to directly select their trainees. We asked Mr. Oikawa about the key points in trainee selection for Oikawa Hifuku. "Candidates with skills.would have been the textbook answer, but we can actually teach skills after they come to Japan. So we don't worry about that. The most important aspect is personality. We choose candidates who are upbeat and straightforward," he answered. How to determine a candidate's personality is based on his experience having spent a lot of time with trainees. Mr. Oikawa believes that people's personalities are reflected in their faces. The explanation sounded somewhat easy, but it was apparent that the method worked well looking at trainees accepted at Oikawa Hifuku.
We then spoke with Mrs. Kiyoko Oikawa, Mr. Oikawa's wife and the company's lifestyle mentor. Mrs. Oikawa flipped through photo albums with us, and delightedly shared her stories about daily incidents and activities with trainees, as if she was talking about her own children. There's no wonder trainees call this lovely lady 'Mama' and respect her as their Japanese mother. Ms. Oikawa, however, still struggles with language problems. Although she can understand most of the trainees' feelings by looking at their faces, she began studying Chinese with her husband, wanting to get to know the trainees better.
Mrs. Oikawa Instructing Technical Intern Yin: Tidying up a Refrigerator
The dormitory looked bright and neatly organized. Hearing our praise, Mrs. Oikawa told us that trainees take turns cleaning the dormitory everyday because they cook there often using oil. Also, trainees make and stock a large amount of food, filling up the refrigerator very quickly. So, they need to sort and allocate the food regularly. Although there are some adjustments to be made, trainees still manage to impress Mrs. Oikawa by making various types of food from scratch, not only the wrapping dough for gyoza dumplings but also udon noodles with flour, and storing food in several creative ways in order to not waste any.
Oikawa Hifuku holds a Christmas party at the dormitory every year. Trainees decorate the tree in the cafeteria and eat Christmas cakes and wonderful meals. The party does not end there, however! Trainees then push all tables and chairs to the walls, and turn the cafeteria into a disco within minutes. Trainees dance with excitement and joy, having always liked singing and dancing.
Trainees Enjoying Themselves at a Christmas Party
At Oikawa Hifuku, trainees are committed to take the Basic Grade 1 test in the National Trade Skills Tests at the end of the first year in their technical internships. All of the test takers passed the test in 2008. "Now that the Basic Grade 1 test has become prevalent, I'd like to encourage trainees to take the Grade 3 test from now on," Mr. Oikawa confidently comments with earnest eyes. I believe that the hard-working trainees will meet this expectation coming from their trusted father figure.
Comforted by the Warmth in the Donbuku
(Alice Mode Co. Ltd., Tome, Miyagi)
Alice Mode Co. Ltd.
We visited Alice Mode Co. Ltd. Entering the building, the warm wooden hallway reminded us of an old elementary school. Glamorous dresses made by trainees were displayed along the hallway.
Alice Mode, founded in May 1981, is a sewing factory mainly manufacturing women's luxury clothing, such as dresses and jackets. The company has accepted 42 trainees in total and it first accepted six trainees in November 2001. Currently, Alice Mode is accepting six trainees and twelve technical interns, and all these women are from China.
We promptly began interviewing CEO Noboru Miura and Senior Executive Director Takaaki Sase.
(Pictured on the Left) CEO Noboru Miura and Senior Executive Director Takaaki Sase
Alice Mode began accepting trainees because the retention of young employees was difficult. The company hopes the development of trainees inspires Japanese workers, and that preciously accumulated skills will be passed on to the next generation. Trainees are eager to learn, and they are ready to try new skills. The trainees' presence has invigorated the workplace and improved company morale.
Mr. Miura himself goes to China to select new trainees, and former interns voluntarily assist by providing feedback. We were surprised to hear Mr. Miura saying, "There are things only experienced countrywomen can tell," admitting that he receives assistance from returned trainees. This surprise, however, turned to understanding immediately. When trainees complete with the day's work, Mr. Miura spends time with them, checking in with their health condition and speaking about daily happenings. He also takes responsibility in pointing out any errors and correcting them, saying, "I am probably the only one here who can scold them." We believe that Mr. Miura is like a father to the trainees, with many of them contacting him and asking, 'How are you?" even after they have returned home. Having former trainees gladly attend on the selection process can only be possible because Mr. Miura and the trainees have very strong bonds, like father and child.
Technical Instructor Setsuko Onodera with Technical Intern Sun: Ironing Collared Clothes
At Alice Mode, advanced skills are required for the luxury clothing they manufacture. Each task is taught individually from instructor to trainee. In the factory, there is always some kind of popular music played, though never too loud. Technical Instructor Setsuko Onodera and the trainees are working diligently on their tasks, and it is as if the music helps them concentrate. It has become customary for these advanced trainees to take the Basic Grade 1 test when they complete their first year of technical internships. In 2008, everyone passed the test.
Trainees actively participate in various local events such as Japan-China friendly exchange events organized by the city, food exchange with local housewives, and the New Year ceremony where they get to wear Japanese kimono. Trainees are so excited when they are all wearing beautiful kimono that they walk too far, or run around with their furisode arms extended like airplane wings, only to end up with their kimono undone. Lifestyle mentor Reiko Chiba, also known as 'Okaasan (Mom)' by the trainees, disclosed this story with a smile.
Lifestyle Mentor Chiba and Technical Interns in Their Favorite Donbukus
Ms. Chiba gives a present of a hand-made donbuku (Miyagiite name for a Japanese cotton-stuffed coat) to every trainee when they arrive in Japan. The coat is greatly appreciated by the trainees, and they often lounge in the dormitory wearing their very own donbuku. It must be comforting to wear this hand-made gift, as she stitched so carefully thinking of the new trainees, which warms their bodies and hearts. This is another example of the family-like warmth experienced by trainees through this training program.
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