Work Visa Testimonials: Hatsuya Construction Co.

Hatsutani Group, a construction company in Tochigi Prefecture, has hired Gyoseishoshi Lawyer Corporation TOUCH for the recruitment of new foreign graduates. We interviewed Mr. Makoto Nakazato, who is in charge of recruitment in the Administration Department of Hatsutani Corporation, about how to choose an administrative scrivener and the procedures involved.

(Interview: March 2020)

Hatsuya Group Overview https://hatsugai-kun.com/

Group Companies: Hatsutani Corporation, HATSUGAI Corporation, P ・ S ・ C Recycle Co.

Hatsuya Construction Co.

Established: 1965

Established: February1985

Capital: 30 million yen

Steps to obtain a visa for the Hatsuya Group

Initial Interview Date	October 3, 2019
Application Date	November 6, 2019
Date of immigration application	February 4, 2020
Permit date (date of postcard arrival)	February 25, 2020

 

Consultation on hiring Vietnamese students as new graduates

What is the nature of your company’s business?

Hatsuya Group is a company that specializes in demolition work within the construction industry. We do not do any building in the construction industry; our main business is demolition.

Our business focuses on demolition of large buildings, high-rise buildings and condominiums, as well as demolition of general housing, asbestos removal, and civil engineering work.

Where are the bases?

The head office is located in Sano City, Tochigi Prefecture. The company has four bases, in Tokyo, Gunma, and Saitama prefectures, and undertakes demolition work in the Kanto area. The entire Hatsuya Group has approximately 140 employees. The office in Omiya City, Saitama Prefecture, where we requested this visa application, has approximately 25 employees.

What did you request from Gyoseishoshi Touch this time?

This is a change of status of residence for a Vietnamese student related to the hiring of a new graduate in April2020. until March2020, the student was enrolled in a Japanese vocational school and was on a “college student visa”, but with this hiring, we have requested a change to “international business with technical and humanities knowledge”.

Have you ever hired foreign employees?

Yes, we have hired trainees and apprentices in the past. In the past, we have hired trainees and interns in the form of employment. However, this was the first time we hired a Vietnamese graduate from a vocational school in Japan as a “new graduate.

Since our previous hiring was through the union, we thought it would be difficult to handle visa applications, etc. in-house.

The first administrative scrivener turned me down, saying it would be difficult to…

Why did you find it difficult to handle this in-house?

I had an intuitive feeling that applying for a visa would be difficult, so I did not think that I would be able to handle the application, which is not my area of expertise. Of course, I have regular business and cannot take time. If I were to actually do it myself, I would also have to write the application essay. I would not have time, and I would have to learn the contents from scratch. I am not sure if I will be able to get a permit if I apply as an amateur. If so, you should consult with a visa specialist. If so, I thought it would be better to ask an administrative scrivener, a visa specialist, to do the work for me, even if I had to pay for it.

So we consulted a qualified administrative scrivener in our company, who told us that it would be difficult because visas are very specialized and he was not up to date with the latest information. Therefore, we considered hiring a visa specialist and made an internal request for approval.

Did you make any comparisons when selecting an administrative scrivener?

Yes, I have been looking for an administrative attorney. I did a search on the Internet and compared several administrative scriveners. From among them, I contacted the administrative scriveners that caught my eye anyway and consulted with the first one.

They told me that they were concerned about the fact that the Vietnamese student had studied at a vocational school and that the employment items were slightly different. When I later discussed this point with the Immigration Bureau, they seemed to find it difficult and refused to accept my application.

What did you do afterwards when you were turned down?

As a result report, I later reported to the technical school teacher that I could not be hired. Then, he said that he still could not give up and wondered what could be done….

So I decided to at least consult with another administrative scrivener, and it was Dr. Yuda who came up as a hit when I searched within Saitama Prefecture. I contacted him immediately and had him come to my office right away.

Why did you hire Gyoseishoshi Law Corporation Touch?

They were very polite and easy to understand, including the initial phone call. When he came to our office, he was easy to talk to. In fact, I had the impression that they made a firm decision based on a detailed interview about the nature of the business and his/her duties. Therefore, I didn’t have much trouble.

Another significant factor was the refund policy. Another reason for our selection was that if they offered refunds, there was no risk for us.

In the end, the best shortcut is to hire an expert.

Advice to those in charge of hiring foreigners who are currently struggling with visa issues.

I still think the best shortcut is to leave it to the experts. Again, the refund policy was another reason for my immediate decision. There was no risk. Also, we have a day job. As for visas, larger companies may be different, but at our size, we cannot have a full-time person. Considering that it would be a dual role, the comparison made it clear to us that it would be quicker to hire a specialist as a result, partly because of their expertise.

Please rate the administrative touch.

I think it was a very good experience. I have an image of administrative scriveners as being somewhat stiff, but Dr. Yuda did not give me that impression; rather, he seemed very approachable. He was very responsive to my e-mails and phone calls, and I always felt at ease. As a result, I am glad that I hired Dr. Yuda. I will consult with him again the next time I have a problem with my visa, and I look forward to working with him again in the future.