28-year-old American eel griller active in Kobe: Driven by anime, he has been in Japan for five years, and his exquisite skills have won him fans<\/a>” (Kobe Shimbun, 19\/12\/2024) introduces an American eel griller who has obtained Specified Skilled Worker II.<\/p>\n\n\n\nArticle summary<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Daniel Zingani Jr. (28 years old), who works as an eel kabayaki craftsman in Kobe City, came to Japan from the United States five years ago after being inspired by anime, and last summer became the first person in Hyogo Prefecture to obtain “Specified Skilled Worker II” in the restaurant industry. He taught himself Japanese, and after working part-time at an udon restaurant, he began his career as a craftsman at Nishimura Kawagyoten, an eel specialty store. He is now loved by fans for his exquisite grilling of eels. Daniel hopes to have a family in Japan in the future and live there permanently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition, the number of foreign workers in Japan will reach approximately 2.05 million as of October 2023, a 4.2-fold increase from approximately 490,000 in 2008. Against the backdrop of a labor shortage caused by a declining birthrate and aging population, the acceptance of foreign workers is increasing, and new residence statuses such as Specified Skilled Worker I and II have been established.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My thoughts after reading the article<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Because this person studied business administration at university and has acquired advanced Japanese language skills, I believe it is possible for him to obtain so-called white-collar work qualifications such as “Engineer\/Specialist in Humanities\/International Services” or “Highly Skilled Professional.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, in order to become a craftsman, he chose the path of “Specified Skilled Worker II”. (Specified Skilled Worker II does not have a limit on the period of stay such as a maximum of 5 years as No. 1 does, so it can be renewed as many times as you like.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Skilled Worker” is one of the visa statuses for skilled workers, but if you are working as a chef, Japanese cuisine is not included. (It must be a type of cuisine unique to the foreign country.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alternatively, by receiving certification for the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ “Project to Develop Human Resources for Promoting Japanese Food Culture Overseas,” Japanese international students can work in a Japanese restaurant under the “Designated Activities” residence status after his\/her graduation, but this is also limited to a maximum of five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Therefore, among employment-related qualifications, Specified Skilled Worker II is the best option for foreigners who want to pursue the path of a craftsman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regardless of whether you are Japanese or foreign, the choice of whether to get a job at a regular company or to train and gain a skill is a personal choice, but I think it’s wonderful that Daniel is trying to pursue the path of a craftsman abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Japan Immigration News<\/h2>\n\n\n