After an increase in the number of tourists in Japan, hotel staff is becoming scarce, and the government has started considering hiring foreign workers.
Currently, tourists from all around the world are flocking to Japan due to the relaxation of restrictions following the COVID-19 pandemic. In this situation, the hospitality industry of the country is facing an unusually low workforce.
Many hotels in Japan are hiring foreign workers, with one renowned chain leading the way in training them. The famous Ryokan, which is a traditional Japanese inn, is among them. Bangladeshi nationals have been working in Kagaya Ryokan since November 2022.
At present, Kagaya Group's companies have over 30 foreign employees providing services. They are trained in the Japanese language and omotenashi, which means hospitality's finer points.
Kagaya's manager, Okuda Takahiro, said, "Our foreign staff treats incoming guests from abroad very well. If the guests are happy, it doesn't matter to them where the staff is from; nationality doesn't make a difference."
The hospitality industry has been grappling with a shortage of staff for a long time, but the spread of the coronavirus has exacerbated this issue. Ryokan typically doesn't hire non-Japanese staff, but the shortage of workers is forcing them to consider employing foreign individuals.
According to a recent survey by Daiwo, an agency that provides staffing solutions for hotels, approximately 90% of hotels and traditional inns across the country are feeling the effects of the workforce shortage.