[Implementation Report] "Philippines Specific Skilled Worker Utilization Seminar" Held.

Make One Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture), which develops foreign human resource introduction and support businesses, held an online "Philippines Specific Skilled Worker Utilization Seminar ~Reasons why reliable and proven Filipino human resources are chosen~" on April 3, 2025 (Thursday).

Against the backdrop of recent labor shortages, why are Filipino human resources highly evaluated by companies in the "Specific Skilled Worker" system? The secrets were unraveled based on the latest statistical data, local economic conditions, and the voices of accepting companies.

■ Background of the seminar
Currently, the number of foreign residents with "Specific Skilled Worker" status in the Japanese labor market is rapidly increasing, exceeding 336,000 as of the end of June 2025. Among them, the Philippines consistently ranks high by nationality, especially in the four fields of shipbuilding and marine industry, nursing care, construction, and industrial product manufacturing.

This seminar not only explained the system but also detailed how the unique national character of the Philippines and the government's management system directly lead to high "retention rates" and "safety" in Japanese workplaces.

■ Main topics of the seminar
1. Overwhelming retention rate and "zero missing persons" record
The biggest feature of Filipino human resources is their sincerity and high retention rate. According to Immigration Services Agency statistics in 2021, the number of missing Filipino nationals under the Specific Skilled Worker program was "zero". The disappearance rate of technical intern trainees is also extremely low at 0.1%, among major countries. This is largely due to a strong sense of mission to support their families (OFW culture) and sincerity based on Catholic ethics.

2. High educational standards and communication skills
With a literacy rate of 96% and English as an official language, the Philippines boasts one of the highest English proficiency levels in Asia. They are also very quick to learn Japanese, and are highly evaluated as immediate assets in the workplace for understanding instructions and responding to the increasing number of foreign tourists in English.

3. Marriage strategies supporting "long-term employment" in Japan
The Philippines has an overwhelmingly large number of permanent residents among the major Specific Skilled Worker countries (approximately 140,000), with a residency rate of 42.3%. Marriages between Filipinos in Japan are also increasing, and because the conversion from Specific Skilled Worker to status-based visas such as "spouse of permanent resident" is smooth, long-term employment beyond the 5-year limit can be expected.

4. Thorough management system by the Philippine government (DMW・MWO・OEC)
The Philippine government has established the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and manages overseas employment as a national strategy. Through strict processes such as pre-certification of employment contracts and issuance of Overseas Employment Certificates (OEC), unfair exploitation is prevented, and "legal and safe dispatch" is ensured.

■ Voices of accepting companies (case studies)
In the seminar, voices from company representatives in Aichi Prefecture who are actually accepting Filipino human resources were also introduced.

Automobile maintenance company: "They are capable of English communication and quick to absorb technology. The workplace became brighter with their constant smiles even in hot factories."

Construction company: "They thoroughly adhere to rules and have high safety awareness. Their Japanese language skills are also high, and they are trusted by surrounding craftsmen."

Manufacturing company: "Almost zero tardiness and absenteeism, and their diligent attitude led to improved attendance of existing staff."

■ Future outlook
Make One Co., Ltd. will continue to contribute to solving serious labor shortages in a wide range of industries including logistics, manufacturing, and nursing care, by utilizing its unique recruitment network through SNS and strong partnerships with regional financial institutions.