#Japan #Tokyo #Bizmates #Zipan #G Talent

Overcoming Language Barriers for Foreign Professionals in Japan

The presence of foreign workers in Japan has surged, hitting an unprecedented high of around 2.3 million as of October 2024, as reported by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Despite this growth, a significant obstacle known as the 'Japanese language barrier' continues to hinder the effective participation and success of skilled foreign professionals in Japanese companies. Bizmates, a Tokyo-based company led by CEO Nobuaki Suzuki, is committed to tackling this issue by revamping its specialized online Japanese language learning service, Zipan, set to relaunch on October 6, 2025.

The Growth of Foreign Talent in Japan

According to the reports, approximately 720,000 of these foreign workers possess specialized skills and knowledge, representing about 30% of the total foreign workforce. In the last five years, this number has more than doubled, signaling an urgent need for effective communication solutions in the workplace. Forecasts from JICA suggest that by 2040, Japan will require up to 6.88 million foreign workers to sustain its economy. Furthermore, the need to integrate these workers effectively into Japanese companies has become increasingly pressing.

Bizmates has been on a mission since its establishment in 2012 to support the growth of both individuals and firms in a diverse and rich society. In line with this purpose, the company has offered the online learning service, Zipan, since 2019, designed to equip foreign professionals with the essential business Japanese skills necessary for success in Japanese corporate environments.

Zipan's Unique Approach

Zipan emphasizes tailored materials for business-specific Japanese language learning, delivered by trainers with practical experience. The service has seen comprehensive uptake across various sectors, including IT, engineering, and customer support. Approximately 64% of learners are in technical roles, showcasing the program's alignment with the demands of the industry.

However, a recent report from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry highlighted persistent challenges faced by foreign skilled workers, such as needing high Japanese language proficiency for hiring and promotions, the limited availability of job-specific Japanese language education, and insufficient corporate support for learning initiatives.

These barriers often result in a loss of opportunities both for foreign professionals looking to advance their careers and for companies aiming to leverage diverse talent.

The Revamped Zipan

To further facilitate the success of foreign professionals in Japan, Bizmates is introducing significant enhancements to the Zipan platform. The upcoming upgrades include:

1. Improved Learning Environment: A dedicated student portal, MyZipan, will offer a revamped design for ease of navigation, enabling learners to track their progress and access materials effortlessly. This redesign aims to provide a more user-friendly and intuitive learning experience.

2. New Curriculum on Internal Procedures: The latest educational materials will focus on essential workplace procedures like attendance management, vacation requests, expense reimbursements, internal memos, and welfare-related processes. By combining pre-learning videos with role-playing scenarios, the revamped curriculum is designed to ensure that learners can immediately apply their newfound skills in their professional lives.

Practical Solutions for Language Learning

The new version of Zipan aims not just to break the Japanese language barrier but also to serve as a practical solution addressing the challenges that foreign hires face in professional settings. Key features include:

• - Career-Related Learning Materials: Content is drawn from real business scenarios such as meetings and customer interactions, equipping learners with practical Japanese communication skills required in Japanese corporations.
• - Online Learning Accessibility: One-on-one online lessons will be available from early morning to late at night, allowing learners to participate from any device, anywhere, thus addressing disparities in modern learning opportunities.
• - Corporate Training Integration: Companies can utilize the program as part of their employee training initiatives to analyze organizational challenges, thereby enhancing their overall capacity to accommodate foreign talent.

Future Advancements

Additionally, by the end of 2025, Bizmates plans to introduce a more personalized learning experience through their platform, MyStage, along with a unique business Japanese app. This will provide learners with more freedom and consistency in their language studies.

Bizmates is also expanding its talent solutions by linking its services, such as the job placement service G Talent and the career support platform GitTap. Notably, a new service will allow those who secure jobs through G Talent to access Zipan for free for three months. This initiative is aimed at helping foreign professionals quickly adapt and thrive in their roles, while also offering reskilling opportunities to promote their career growth.

By continuously refining their services, Bizmates aims to support foreign talent from recruitment to learning, retention, and career advancement. The goal is to create a diverse and prosperous society where both individuals and corporations can flourish together.