On February 9, 2026, a new initiative by Chiba City, reported by the Sankei Shimbun, has drawn attention. Chiba City has allocated 7 million yen in its FY2026 initial budget proposal for a support program to help foreign residents understand daily life rules and manners, announcing a policy to proactively engage with newly arrived foreign residents to help them quickly integrate into local communities.
This move is not merely a local policy decision. It represents a concrete step toward addressing the major challenge of coexistence with foreign talent that all of Japan faces.
As a certified immigration administrative scrivener, I receive daily consultations regarding visa applications and residence status. One thing I consistently observe is that obtaining residence status is not the ultimate goal. Post-arrival life support and assistance with adapting to local communities are the most critical factors that determine whether foreign talent will settle and thrive.
In this article, I will provide a detailed analysis of Chiba City’s initiatives and provide practical insights for business owners and HR personnel who employ foreign nationals, as well as for foreign residents in Japan.
- Chiba City’s New Policy: What Will Change?
- Hidden Challenges Companies Face in Employing Foreign Nationals
- The Close Relationship Between Residence Status and Life Support
- The Three-Way Collaboration Model: Municipality, Company, and Specialists
- To Foreign Residents in Japan: Knowing Daily Life Rules Protects Your Rights
- 5 Actions HR Personnel Can Take Immediately
- Future Outlook: Toward Building a Multicultural Society
- Conclusion: The First Step Toward Coexistence Is Understanding
Chiba City’s New Policy: What Will Change?
From Reactive Support to Proactive Engagement
Until now, Chiba City has conducted orientations where staff would visit workplaces upon request from local communities or companies to explain daily life rules. However, with the rapid increase in foreign residents, this reactive approach has become insufficient.
Therefore, Chiba City is shifting its policy to begin proactive support, actively reaching out to foreign residents from the city’s side. Specifically, the following initiatives are planned:
1. Proactive Outreach on Daily Life Rules and Manners The city will carefully communicate Japan-specific daily life rules, such as how to dispose of garbage, consideration for noise, and bicycle parking rules, shortly after arrival in Japan.
2. Strengthening Japanese Language Education By increasing the locations and frequency of beginner-level classes, the city will support smooth communication. Japanese language proficiency is the most fundamental skill that affects quality of life.
3. Budget Allocation By securing a specific budget of 7 million yen, the city will establish a continuous and systematic support system.
Why This Policy Is Needed Now
The background includes an increase in troubles involving foreign residents. Problems related to garbage disposal and noise have been occurring frequently in various areas due to differences in culture and lifestyle habits.
What’s important is that most of these issues do not stem from malicious intent. Rather, they are mostly caused by not knowing or not being taught.
Rules and manners considered normal in Japan can be completely different in other countries. For example:
- Many countries do not have garbage separation rules
- Some cultural regions are not as strict about nighttime noise as Japan
- Concepts regarding the use of public spaces differ
Rather than labeling behavior as bad manners without understanding these differences, creating mechanisms to teach carefully leads to true multicultural coexistence.
Hidden Challenges Companies Face in Employing Foreign Nationals
Obtaining Residence Status Is Only the Starting Line
I receive daily consultations from companies wanting to employ foreign talent. There are various types of residence statuses—Technical Intern Training, Specified Skilled Worker, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Business Manager, etc.—each with detailed requirements.
However, even if residence status is successfully obtained, that only means the right to work in Japan has been granted. The real challenge begins after that.
Challenges Foreign Talent Face After Arrival
- Language barriers (conversational Japanese)
- Differences in lifestyle habits
- Limited contact with local communities
- Feelings of isolation and loneliness
- Complexity of administrative procedures
- Access to medical and welfare services
If these challenges are not addressed appropriately, the risk increases that the foreign employees a company has invested in recruiting will leave early.
Impact of Daily Life Troubles on Companies
When foreign employees cause troubles in the community, the impact doesn’t stop with the individual.
Impact on Companies
- Handling complaints from local residents
- Decline in corporate image
- Decreased motivation among other foreign employees
- Potential impact on residence status renewal decisions
- Negative effects on recruitment activities
Especially in cases of Technical Intern Training or Specified Skilled Worker programs, accepting companies have an obligation to provide appropriate life support. If troubles in daily life occur frequently, there is also the possibility of becoming subject to guidance from supervisory authorities.
The Close Relationship Between Residence Status and Life Support
Living Conditions Examined During Residence Status Renewal
When applying for residence status renewal, the Immigration Services Agency checks the following points:
- Income stability
- Tax payment status
- Social insurance enrollment status
- Criminal record
- Appropriateness of living conditions
The last item, appropriateness of living conditions, includes whether there have been troubles in the local community. If there are many complaints from neighbors, there remains a risk of renewal denial.
What Companies Can Do to Meet the Requirement of Good Conduct
Residence status has the requirement of good conduct. This includes not only not committing crimes but also whether one is living while following societal rules.
Specific Support Companies Can Provide
1. Enhanced Onboarding Orientation
- Carefully explain Japanese daily life rules and manners
- Prepare multilingual materials
- Role-play based on actual life scenarios
2. Continuous Follow-up
- Regular interviews to identify daily life concerns
- Early detection and response to troubles
- Referral to specialists (administrative scriveners, lawyers) as needed
3. Bridge to the Community
- Introduction to neighborhood associations
- Promotion of participation in local events
- Creation of opportunities for interaction with neighbors
4. Guidance on Administrative Services
- Introduction to municipal foreign resident consultation services
- Provision of information on Japanese language classes
- Sharing of administrative information such as garbage disposal rules
The Three-Way Collaboration Model: Municipality, Company, and Specialists
New Possibilities Shown by Chiba City’s Example
Chiba City’s current initiative is groundbreaking in that the municipality has begun to take the lead. Until now, support for foreign residents has largely depended on NPOs and volunteer organizations, but in the future, it will be an era where government takes the forefront.
Role of Municipalities
- Awareness-raising about daily life rules and manners
- Provision of Japanese language education
- Establishment of consultation services
- Promotion of understanding among local residents
Role of Companies
- Appropriate explanation at the time of hiring
- Continuous life support
- Bridge to municipal services
- Cultivation of multicultural coexistence awareness within the company
Role of Specialists (Administrative Scriveners, etc.)
- Provision of accurate information regarding residence status
- Visa application support
- Legal advice on daily life troubles
- Coordination role among companies, municipalities, and foreign individuals
Points for Successful Collaboration
1. Centralization of Information To avoid situations where foreign individuals don’t know where to consult, companies serve as the point of contact to guide them to appropriate consultation services.
2. Preventive Approach Rather than responding after troubles occur, provide planned support immediately after arrival.
3. Continuous Engagement Don’t stop after one explanation; conduct regular follow-ups.
4. Mutual Cultural Understanding Rather than unilaterally saying follow Japanese rules, it’s important to have an attitude of understanding and respecting the other’s cultural background.
To Foreign Residents in Japan: Knowing Daily Life Rules Protects Your Rights
Not Knowing Is Not Shameful
What I want to convey to foreign residents living in Japan is that not knowing Japanese daily life rules is not shameful.
Culture and customs differ completely from country to country. Many things that were normal in your home country have different rules in Japan.
What’s important is the attitude of wanting to know and the willingness to practice what you’ve learned.
Impact of Daily Life Troubles on Residence Status
As mentioned earlier, troubles in the community can affect residence status renewal.
You might think I just didn’t follow the garbage disposal rules or the music was just a little loud, but if these accumulate, they become serious problems.
Points Requiring Special Attention
- Garbage disposal rules (separation, days, times)
- Noise (avoid loud sounds after 10 PM)
- Bicycle parking (park in designated areas)
- Use of shared spaces
- Greetings to neighbors
These are things Japanese people know as common sense, but foreign residents cannot know them unless taught.
Actively Learn and Consult
Available Resources
- Municipal foreign resident consultation services
- Free Japanese language classes
- International exchange associations
- Specialists such as administrative scriveners
- Company HR departments
When in trouble, don’t worry alone—always consult someone. Many municipalities have multilingual consultation services that are free to use.
5 Actions HR Personnel Can Take Immediately
1. Add a Daily Life Section to Onboarding Orientation
Not just work explanations—always conduct orientation on daily life aspects.
Content to Include
- How to separate and dispose of garbage
- Noise considerations
- Bicycle and traffic rules
- Emergency contacts (Police 110, Fire Department 119)
- How to greet neighbors
2. Understand and Guide on Municipal Support Systems
Research and list foreign resident services provided by municipalities.
- Japanese language classes
- Life consultation services
- Medical interpreter services
- Childcare support
3. Establish an In-House Life Consultation Service
Set up a service where foreign employees can easily consult. Ideally, the HR department handles this, or a dedicated person is assigned.
4. Conduct Regular Follow-up Interviews
Conduct regular interviews at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months after joining to check if there are any daily life concerns.
5. Build a Collaborative System with Specialists Such as Administrative Scriveners
Situations requiring specialized knowledge—such as residence status renewal, family reunification, and trouble response—will certainly arise. I recommend establishing connections with reliable administrative scriveners in advance.
Future Outlook: Toward Building a Multicultural Society
Foreign Workers Are Not Simply Labor
As Japan’s declining birthrate and aging population progress, accepting foreign talent is an unavoidable reality. However, a shift in consciousness is needed—not viewing foreign nationals as mere labor but accepting them as members of local communities.
Chiba City’s current initiative can be said to symbolize that shift in consciousness.
Benefits for Companies
Enhancing life support for foreign talent offers companies the following benefits:
Short-term Benefits
- Improved retention rates
- Reduced turnover costs
- Increased productivity
- Reduced time spent on trouble response
Long-term Benefits
- Enhanced corporate brand
- Competitive advantage in recruitment
- Implementation of ESG management
- Development of global talent
Toward Community-wide Initiatives
Coexistence with foreign nationals is not just a challenge for companies and municipalities. Each community member is required to have the tolerance to accept people with different cultures.
What Communities Can Do
- Exchange events at neighborhood associations
- Promotion of multilingual signage
- Reaching out to foreign residents
- Understanding and respecting cultural differences
Conclusion: The First Step Toward Coexistence Is Understanding
Chiba City’s new initiative is evidence that all of Japan is moving toward coexistence with foreign talent.
Obtaining residence status and working in Japan is not the goal. Creating an environment where people can live with peace of mind, integrate into local communities, and maximize their abilities—that brings the best results for companies, foreign individuals themselves, and local communities.
At the Niseko Visa Application Support Center, we provide not only support at the entry point of visa applications but also accompanying support that looks ahead to overall life after arrival.
Please Consult Us When:
- Considering hiring foreign talent
- Need to apply for or renew residence status
- Need to respond to daily life troubles of foreign employees
- Want to establish a foreign talent acceptance system within the company
- Want to know about municipal support systems
Coexistence with foreign talent is a critical theme that will determine the future of Japanese society. Let’s work together to create a society where everyone can live and work with peace of mind.
News Source: https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/03e63194d94158b99dae7f1a2c5591ad3ca2c264
[Contact Us] For consultations regarding residence status and visa applications for foreign nationals, as well as life support, please feel free to contact us. Initial consultations are free of charge.
