Bizmates Launches New Japanese Learning Material for Hospitality Workers
In response to the rapidly recovering inbound tourism industry, Bizmates Inc., a Tokyo-based company specializing in business-specific Japanese language learning, is launching a new set of practical Japanese learning materials targeted at foreign employees in the hospitality sector. This initiative will officially start on September 17, 2026.
As the demand for foreign talent in Japan continues to grow, the most recent statistics from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare reveal that the number of foreign workers in Japan has reached an all-time high of approximately 2.57 million. Among these, around 320,000 work in the hospitality and food service sectors, which are experiencing a resurgence in inbound demand. Additionally, the IT sector has seen its number of foreign workers exceed 100,000, highlighting a significant dependency on foreign talent in these two vital industries. However, alongside this growth, a gap in practical communication skills has become evident.
Many foreign employees hold high scores in the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), yet struggle with real-world communication in their job environments. Our internal research shows that more than 90% of foreign employees who possess a JLPT level of N3 or above are aware of this discrepancy in practical job-related communication skills.
Japanese workplace communication often requires nuanced expressions and indirect language—skills that are not sufficiently covered by standard language tests. The inability to effectively employ phrases like “softening language,” “ambiguous expressions,” and regular workplace communication practices can contribute to early resignations and hinder company growth.
At the upcoming Global Talent EXPO on September 17 and 18, Bizmates will introduce a comprehensive approach to addressing both hiring and retention challenges faced by businesses in various sectors, especially in hospitality. Our solutions build on the expertise we’ve developed primarily in the IT sector, now adapted for broader industry needs.
1. Integrated Support Between Hiring and Training: To ensure that foreign employees remain in their roles, early-stage support such as cultural understanding and seamless connection between recruitment and onboarding training is vital. We propose training programs for both foreign hires and their Japanese colleagues to aid understanding and improve workplace integration.
2. New Practical Japanese Learning Material for Hospitality: The new teaching materials set to launch on September 17 consist of 60 lessons tailored for foreign employees with Japanese proficiency levels ranging from N3 to N1. These lessons cover essential communicative scenarios unique to hospitality settings. The curriculum aims to equip learners with immediately applicable skills for real-world situations, including customer service interactions, staff communication, and confirming unclear instructions. Future expansions may include service training for other industries, such as retail and leisure.
3. Japanese Cultural Understanding Training for Local Staff: Successfully integrating foreign employees is not solely their responsibility; the Japanese workforce also requires training in cultural understanding to create a more inclusive work environment. We have seen a growing demand for training programs that empower Japanese employees to give effective feedback and develop a collaborative attitude towards their foreign colleagues. This dual approach fosters organizational communication improvements.
At Bizmates, we recognize that the challenges foreign employees encounter at work are not merely a reflection of their Japanese proficiency. Success hinges on three interconnected elements: appropriate talent acquisition, the mastery of essential workplace communications, and cultural management training for both local Japanese staff and managers.
Our overarching goal is to create a workplace where both foreign and Japanese employees understand and respect each other's differences, fostering a more collaborative work atmosphere. Through our services, which include business-focused English conversation platforms like Bizmates and foreign employee Japanese learning programs such as Zipan, we strive towards our mission of supporting a diverse and prosperous society where individuals and companies can grow together. Visitors to our booth at the Global Talent EXPO will have the opportunity to consult on recruitment, training, and establishing an inclusive working culture.
Interviews with our booth representatives and developers will also be available during the event.
Bizmates Inc. (Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market: Stock Code 9345) is a global talent solutions provider committed to realizing a diverse, prosperous society where individuals and businesses can thrive together. Through our language services and global IT talent introduction programs, we support the globalization of individuals and organizations.
Addressing Employment Gaps and Communication Barriers
As the demand for foreign talent in Japan continues to grow, the most recent statistics from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare reveal that the number of foreign workers in Japan has reached an all-time high of approximately 2.57 million. Among these, around 320,000 work in the hospitality and food service sectors, which are experiencing a resurgence in inbound demand. Additionally, the IT sector has seen its number of foreign workers exceed 100,000, highlighting a significant dependency on foreign talent in these two vital industries. However, alongside this growth, a gap in practical communication skills has become evident.
Many foreign employees hold high scores in the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), yet struggle with real-world communication in their job environments. Our internal research shows that more than 90% of foreign employees who possess a JLPT level of N3 or above are aware of this discrepancy in practical job-related communication skills.
Japanese workplace communication often requires nuanced expressions and indirect language—skills that are not sufficiently covered by standard language tests. The inability to effectively employ phrases like “softening language,” “ambiguous expressions,” and regular workplace communication practices can contribute to early resignations and hinder company growth.
Solutions at the Global Talent EXPO
At the upcoming Global Talent EXPO on September 17 and 18, Bizmates will introduce a comprehensive approach to addressing both hiring and retention challenges faced by businesses in various sectors, especially in hospitality. Our solutions build on the expertise we’ve developed primarily in the IT sector, now adapted for broader industry needs.
1. Integrated Support Between Hiring and Training: To ensure that foreign employees remain in their roles, early-stage support such as cultural understanding and seamless connection between recruitment and onboarding training is vital. We propose training programs for both foreign hires and their Japanese colleagues to aid understanding and improve workplace integration.
2. New Practical Japanese Learning Material for Hospitality: The new teaching materials set to launch on September 17 consist of 60 lessons tailored for foreign employees with Japanese proficiency levels ranging from N3 to N1. These lessons cover essential communicative scenarios unique to hospitality settings. The curriculum aims to equip learners with immediately applicable skills for real-world situations, including customer service interactions, staff communication, and confirming unclear instructions. Future expansions may include service training for other industries, such as retail and leisure.
3. Japanese Cultural Understanding Training for Local Staff: Successfully integrating foreign employees is not solely their responsibility; the Japanese workforce also requires training in cultural understanding to create a more inclusive work environment. We have seen a growing demand for training programs that empower Japanese employees to give effective feedback and develop a collaborative attitude towards their foreign colleagues. This dual approach fosters organizational communication improvements.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusive Growth
At Bizmates, we recognize that the challenges foreign employees encounter at work are not merely a reflection of their Japanese proficiency. Success hinges on three interconnected elements: appropriate talent acquisition, the mastery of essential workplace communications, and cultural management training for both local Japanese staff and managers.
Our overarching goal is to create a workplace where both foreign and Japanese employees understand and respect each other's differences, fostering a more collaborative work atmosphere. Through our services, which include business-focused English conversation platforms like Bizmates and foreign employee Japanese learning programs such as Zipan, we strive towards our mission of supporting a diverse and prosperous society where individuals and companies can grow together. Visitors to our booth at the Global Talent EXPO will have the opportunity to consult on recruitment, training, and establishing an inclusive working culture.
Global Talent EXPO Details
- - Date: September 17-18, 2026
- - Venue: Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center, Hamamatsucho Hall, 3F & 4F, Booth Number: T-12
- - Event URL: Global Talent EXPO
- - Zipan Corporate Services Details: Zipan Details
Interviews with our booth representatives and developers will also be available during the event.
About Bizmates Inc.
Bizmates Inc. (Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market: Stock Code 9345) is a global talent solutions provider committed to realizing a diverse, prosperous society where individuals and businesses can thrive together. Through our language services and global IT talent introduction programs, we support the globalization of individuals and organizations.
Topics Business Technology）
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