Launch of COCORO Class Aims to Bridge Domestic and International Talent

Connecting Local and International Talent

On November 12, 2025, a new initiative led by the General Incorporated Association COCORO marked the opening ceremony of the COCORO Class in Indonesia, aimed at bridging local communities with foreign talent, particularly from Indonesia. This endeavor is spearheaded by COCORO’s representative directors from Shimizu Enterprises, Yasushi Shimizu (President) and Ohmori Construction’s Keimasa Ohmori (Executive Director), alongside participation from BNG Partners, represented by COO Yosuke Oyama.

Purpose and Significance of COCORO Class

The primary goal of the COCORO Class is to prepare overseas talent—who are slated to come to Japan, specifically to Akita and Noshiro—for life and work in Japan. The program is designed to promote early adaptation to the local community, enabling these individuals to become fully effective contributors right from their arrival.

The support framework is based on three key pillars:
1. Japanese Language Support: Aiming to equip participants with Japanese language skills up to the N3 level, ensuring they can navigate daily life and work without facing language barriers.
2. Community Building: The program will facilitate connections among new participants and established members already contributing to the Akita and Noshiro regions, fostering a sense of reassurance for new arrivals.
3. Open Chat for Community Engagement: This platform will promote relationships with employers and local residents, establishing a welcoming system for foreign talent.

As the demand for foreign labor increases in Japan due to a domestic labor shortage, challenges arise, particularly concerning the isolation many foreign workers face caused by language barriers. The COCORO Class aims to gather highly competent individuals with strong Japanese language skills from the outset, creating an environment of collaboration between local governments (multiple, such as Noshiro City), residents, and foreign workers through a shared language. By fostering a community where Japanese is the common language, the initiative seeks to achieve a