Technical Intern Training Program

The Technical Intern Training Program (技能実習制度, Ginō Jisshū Seido) is a work training program providing employment opportunities for foreign nationals in Japan. Technical Intern can work for up to five years in Japan: 1 gou (1st year – Basic level), 2 gou (2nd and 3rd year – Intermediate), 3 gou (4th and 5th year – Advanced). Technical Interns who have completed 2 gou or 3 gou can continue to work under the specified skill status. When the system was first established, administered by the Japan International Training Cooperation Organization (JITCO) its stated purpose is to provide training, technical skills and technology experience for workers from developing economies. The government-run internship aims to support the international cooperation program and was first established in 1993. Since the Labor Standards Act was not applied at the start of the system, some workplaces have engaged practices such as the non-payment of wages and poor working environments. It has been accused of being a modern slavery system.