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Outline of Technical Intern Training Program


Basic Framework of Industrial Training Program

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Industrial Training Program


In order to enter and reside in Japan for the purpose of receiving industrial training, foreign nationals must first obtain the necessary "trainee" status of residence.

What is a "trainee" status of residence?


The first point to note in connection with a "trainee" status of residence is that it disqualifies the holder from engaging in any activity for remuneration. Although Industrial Training Programs may include training through actual performance of job duties, this must fall within the scope of OJT (on-the-job training) and must, as such, be necessary in order to fully acquaint the trainee with the practical side of the techniques he or she is studying. Trainees are not to be used to compensate for shortages of local labour.

To this end, both the trainee and the accepting company or organization must fulfill a number of conditions.

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Conditions for recognition as a bona fide
"Industrial Training Program"


"Industrial Training Programs" must be designed to secure the "transfer of technology, skills, and/or knowledge of industry as a means of contributing to the development of the human and industrial resources of other countries" in the manner outlined above. In order to ensure that this objective is fulfilled, corporate plans for the accepting of overseas trainees must meet the following conditions.

  1. The technology, skills, and/or knowledge that the trainee is to obtain in Japan must not be of the type that could be obtained mostly through the repetition of simple work.
  2. The trainee is expected to engage in a job requiring the technology, skills, and/or knowledge obtained in Japan after returning to his or her country of nationality or habitual residence.
  3. The trainee must be at least 18 years of age.
  4. It must be impossible or difficult for the trainee to obtain the desired technology, skills, and/or knowledge in the country where he or she resides.
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Conditions for the offering of
Industrial Training Programs


Industrial Training Programs are divided into two broad categories: (1) those that do not include OJT and (2) those that do.

(1) In the case of Industrial Training Programs that do not include OJT, there are no specific conditions imposed either on trainees or on sending organizations (corporate or otherwise) other than the three basic conditions mentioned above.
(2) In the case of Industrial Training Programs that include OJT, a number of conditions are imposed both on trainees and on sending and accepting organizations (corporate or otherwise) in addition to the three basic conditions mentioned above. Arrangements for the acceptance of trainees fall into a number of typically acceptable patterns (I, II, III), each of which is illustrated in the chart on the following page.

The above explanation provides a simple outline of the essential features of the system whereby Japanese organizations or companies may offer Industrial Training Programs for overseas nationals.

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Types of training available with Japanese companies


Training in Japanese companies may or may not include a period of on-the-job training (OJT)*. In cases in which OJT is included as part of a training program, the criteria for acceptance by companies which have a capital or business relationship with the sending organizations or companies and those which do not may vary significantly.

Types of training available with Japanese companies

* OJT (on-the-job training) is in other words IN-PLANT training intended to impart the technology and skills through the production and/or sale of goods or provision of services.

Re: OFFJT (off-the-job training) -- Language and Theoretical Training