Foreigners Can Be Beauticians in Tokyo Starting in October
I think it is difficult for foreigners to be granted a visa and find a job in Japan, other than being an English teacher. The reasons are the Japanese language and the visa system. If you can't read and write, it's difficult to pass the exam to become what ever it was you did before you came to Japan. I think there are specialized regulations for about everything. In addition, I don't think Japan wants foreigners to do jobs that Japanese can do. Visas aren't granted for those jobs.
Tokyo metropolitan government has just announced it will allow foreigners to work as beauticians starting in October, using a national regulation scheme. This is the first time the beauty industry in Japan is opening up to non-Japanese any where in the country. Foreigners in Japan on student visas who have demonstrated skills to be beauticians and stylists at beauty schools in Japan will be allowed to work for up to five years.
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike held a press conference to make the announcement and said "Japan's beauty industry is the best in the world and I want them to take the advanced techniques and hospitality skills they learn in Tokyo and share them with the world." Tokyo will designate a support and supervisory organization for foreign beauticians in August. Beginning October 1st, foreign students who meet skills requirements will be able to work at salons under the governments' national strategic special zones scheme, aimed at supporting regional economic growth.
I'm not sure what this is about. I don't think I have the full story. Is there a shortage of beauticians in Tokyo? Does this have anything to do with the 1,000+ Ukrainians (mostly women and children) who have moved to Japan from their war torn homeland? Why do they only get to work here as a beautician for up to five years? I'm going to be watching the news stories (in English) to see if I can find out more about this.
6 comments:
Good question. I wonder if you're right.
It does seem like there is more to the story than they said in the press conference!
It probably has to do with the ukrainian women.
This is all news to me. However...
Women from Asia and the Middle East are quite fond of beautification, both giving and receiving. In Europe there are many Vietnamese manicurists, Thai masseuses and Syrian hairstylists.
The Koreans are famous for plastic surgery.
I believe that Japanese cosmetic companies like Shiseido, Kanebo and Pola have very high reputation for their quality products the world over.
It is also obvious that many Japanese women take good care of, and style, their hair - an ancient tradition if ever there was one.
The governor Yuriko Koike said in a TV interview done at her home that one of her most important items at home was the maginyfiing mirror in front of which she applies her make up daily.
Finally, there must be a hairdresser's on almost every street corner in Tokyo.
So I am not surprised if it is popular to come to Asia, and Japan, to become and work as an aesthetician.
I am sure the Ukranian refugees would do a good job at a beauty parlour.
I didn't know there were such strict guidelines on what you can work as as a foreigner in Japan. I know a couple Western scientists who have moved there, but I guess the science field is different with how specialized everyone is to their field. As are you, I am wondering what the real motive is behind this decision.
It might have something to do with the lack of familiarity with non-Japanese hair types. There are white and black foreigners in Japan who really need hair services also.
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