With Over 4.1 Million Foreign Residents, GF Academy Breaks Language Barriers in Food Service: Expands 1-on-1 Lessons to 4 Asian Languages & Launches New Video Courses

The food service-focused online education platform 'GF Academy' has officially expanded its 1-on-1 lesson offerings to four major Asian languages—Vietnamese, Burmese, Indonesian, and Nepali—and has launched new online video courses in Vietnamese.

Amid rising numbers of foreign residents and expanded acceptance of the Specific Skilled Worker program, GF Academy addresses the industry's two biggest challenges: 'communication loss due to language barriers' and 'early employee turnover,' through a hybrid model combining multilingual input (video) and output (personalized instruction).

The Era of 4.1 Million Foreign Residents: Government Push for Japanese Language Education and New Hopes for 'Specific Skilled Worker No.2'

While the number of foreign residents in Japan has surpassed 4.1 million, the food service industry is undergoing a major transformation. With the cap reached for Specific Skilled Worker No.1 visas and new visa issuance now halted, traditional hiring models are being forced to change. In this environment, the key to stable restaurant operations lies in 'developing and retaining existing foreign talent already residing in Japan.'

At the same time, as the government promotes the 'realization of a society in coexistence with foreigners' and pushes Japanese language education as a national priority for social integration and long-term settlement, host companies are now expected to go beyond mere employment and provide more advanced 'education' support.

Promoting the acquisition of 'Specific Skilled Worker No.2,' which requires advanced skills and lifts the cap on residency renewal, is a key national policy. However, high exam difficulty and a lack of on-site educational resources have been major obstacles. By breaking through this 'barrier to retention and career advancement' and increasing the number of No.2 certified workers, companies can achieve fundamentally stable staffing and a stronger organizational structure. This expansion of GF Academy directly responds to both the national call for a coexisting society and the survival-driven growth strategy of food service businesses facing visa application suspensions.

A 'Self-Development System' for Restaurants: 4-Language 1-on-1 Lessons + No.2 Certification Video Courses

In response to this pivotal shift and on-site challenges, GF Academy has significantly upgraded its instruction system and curriculum. A new 1-on-1 tutoring model now combines 'multilingual lessons' with 'native Japanese conversation lessons' to provide comprehensive support.

A total of 30 multilingual staff members from Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia, and Nepal support learners in their native languages, helping them master foundational knowledge and food service-specific skills. The program also includes personalized support for daily life concerns, strengthening efforts to prevent early resignations caused by isolation or anxiety.

Simultaneously, 1-on-1 lessons with Japanese instructors have been enhanced with curricula focused on real-world hospitality culture and interactive communication skills used on the job. For those preparing for job interviews, the program integrates practical, company-specific scenarios into lessons, providing end-to-end support for interview preparation.

Furthermore, to maximize the effectiveness of output through 1-on-1 lessons, GF Academy has introduced new Vietnamese-language online video courses tailored to the 'Specific Skilled Worker No.2 (Food Service)' exam. By enabling efficient native-language learning during breaks or downtime, restaurants can now facilitate seamless online upskilling toward No.2 certification—without dedicating special curricula or staff resources.

A New Step Toward Expansion Beyond Food Service, Built on Over 5,000 Supported Individuals

G-FACTORY Co., Ltd. has introduced over 5,000 foreign workers to food service roles and maintained a remarkably low 'turnover rate of 9.7%,' far below the industry average. This comprehensive support experience in daily life and education forms the solid foundation of GF Academy.

The academy welcomes not only its own supported talent but also learning委托 from external registered support agencies and directly hiring food service companies. As a partner for all businesses and institutions struggling with 'lack of resources for No.2 certification preparation,' this multilingual expansion and new video course launch further strengthen GF Academy's role in enabling powerful 'education outsourcing.'

Going forward, building on this success in the food service sector, the company will not only expand into more languages and add new video content but also explore extending talent placement and educational support to industries beyond food service. The goal is to evolve its entire foreign talent business into a comprehensive national infrastructure supporting Japan's workforce—advancing toward a multicultural coexisting society where both workers and companies can thrive with smiles.