Resources ยท Compliance Reference

RSO Activity Reference Sheet

The 10 government-mandated SSW support activities explained โ€” what to expect, and when. Each activity carries mandatory items that must be provided and voluntary items that are desirable but not required.

These 10 items are the support a Registered Support Organization (็™ป้Œฒๆ”ฏๆดๆฉŸ้–ข) โ€” or the host company itself โ€” must provide to a Specified Skilled Worker (i). Separately, an RSO can also support the employer with residence-status applications and support-plan creation. The framework is set by Japan's Immigration Services Agency and applies across all SSW sectors.
1

Pre-arrival Guidance

Before arrival
ไบ‹ๅ‰ใ‚ฌใ‚คใƒ€ใƒณใ‚น

Explain the job, wages, working conditions, and immigration steps in a language the worker understands, and confirm no support fees are charged to the worker.

Mandatory
  • Explain permitted activities, work content, pay, and working conditions
  • Confirm the worker is never charged for support services
  • Provide information on immigration and housing arrangements
Voluntary
  • Advise on Japan's climate, suitable clothing, what to pack and what's prohibited
  • Estimate money to bring and early living expenses; note any uniform provision
2

Arrival & Departure (Immigration) Support

Arrival
ๅ‡บๅ…ฅๅ›ฝใ™ใ‚‹้š›ใฎ้€่ฟŽ

Accompany the worker between the port of entry/exit and the workplace or residence; on departure, see them to the security checkpoint.

Mandatory
  • Transport between entry/exit point and the workplace or residence
  • On departure, accompany to the security checkpoint and confirm boarding
Voluntary
  • Provide transport for in-Japan status changes (e.g. from Technical Intern Training) when deemed necessary
3

Housing & Living Contracts

First weeks
ไฝๅฑ…็ขบไฟใƒป็”Ÿๆดปใซๅฟ…่ฆใชๅฅ‘็ด„ๆ”ฏๆด

Help secure suitable housing โ€” including accompanying viewings and signing โ€” and act as guarantor if needed, or provide company housing.

Mandatory
  • Provide housing information; accompany viewings and contract signing
  • Secure a guarantor where required, or arrange company housing
Voluntary
  • Continue housing assistance between contracts until the next placement is decided
4

Life Orientation

First weeks
็”Ÿๆดปใ‚ชใƒชใ‚จใƒณใƒ†ใƒผใ‚ทใƒงใƒณ

Brief the worker on Japanese rules, public services, and disaster response so they can live independently.

Mandatory
  • Guide and assist with opening a bank account, mobile phone, and utilities
  • Provide documents and explanations for daily-life infrastructure contracts
Voluntary
  • Support changes or cancellations of these contracts during the stay
5

Accompaniment to Official Procedures

First weeks
ๅ…ฌ็š„ๆ‰‹็ถšใ็ญ‰ใธใฎๅŒ่กŒ

Accompany the worker to government offices and help prepare the necessary documents.

Mandatory
  • Accompany to municipal/government procedures and assist with paperwork
6

Japanese-Language Learning Opportunities

Ongoing
ๆ—ฅๆœฌ่ชžๅญฆ็ฟ’ใฎๆฉŸไผšใฎๆไพ›

Provide information on local Japanese classes and self-study materials, and assist with enrollment.

Mandatory
  • Provide information on local classes/institutions and help with enrollment
  • Provide information on self-study materials and assist with sign-up
Voluntary
  • Plan and manage lessons, support JLPT preparation, and reward qualifications obtained
7

Consultation & Complaint Handling

Ongoing
็›ธ่ซ‡ใƒป่‹ฆๆƒ…ใธใฎๅฏพๅฟœ

Respond promptly to workplace and daily-life concerns, give advice, and refer to the right institutions where needed.

Mandatory
  • Respond promptly to consultations/complaints with advice and guidance
  • Refer to appropriate institutions and accompany for procedures if needed
Voluntary
  • Set up a consultation desk in advance; assist with accident/injury procedures
8

Promoting Exchange with Japanese People

Ongoing
ๆ—ฅๆœฌไบบใจใฎไบคๆตไฟƒ้€ฒ

Help the worker connect with the local community through events and introductions.

Mandatory
  • Provide information on local events and assist with participation/registration
Voluntary
  • Adjust working hours or grant paid leave so the worker can attend community events
9

Job-Change Support

If contract ends
่ปข่ทๆ”ฏๆด

If the company causes the contract to end, help the worker find a new host company and complete leaving procedures.

Applies only when the contract is terminated for reasons attributable to the host company.
Mandatory
  • Provide one of: next-employer info, accompanied job search, recommendation letters, or arranged placement (if licensed)
  • Grant paid leave to job-hunt; explain insurance/pension procedures on leaving
  • If support can't be provided (e.g. bankruptcy), secure an institution to take it over
10

Regular Interviews & Reporting to Authorities

Ongoing
ๅฎšๆœŸ็š„ใช้ข่ซ‡ใƒป่กŒๆ”ฟๆฉŸ้–ขใธใฎ้€šๅ ฑ

Hold periodic interviews with the worker and their supervisor, check the working environment, and report any legal violations to the authorities.

The recurring obligation โ€” at least once every three months.
Mandatory
  • Interview the worker and supervisor at least once every 3 months
  • Check the working environment; report labor-law violations or unpermitted activity to the relevant agencies
Voluntary
  • Share government consultation-desk information so the worker can reach out directly

Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan (mandatory support framework). Plain-language summary adapted from the Japan Association for Construction Human Resources (JAC), "What is a Registered Support Organization?"; ISA also lists the 10 mandatory support items.

For reference only โ€” not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the Immigration Services Agency or a licensed ่กŒๆ”ฟๆ›ธๅฃซ before relying on this sheet. Information reflects guidance as of 2024.