After studying Japanese at a local university, she came to Japan as a technical intern at Donremi Co., Ltd., a confectionery manufacturer. After returning to her home country, she obtained Specified Skilled Worker Visa Type 1 and returned to Japan. We asked her about what made her interested in Japan and baking, as well as her current life.

Profile

During the time in Indonesia

Q: What made you interested in Japan and the Japanese language when you were in Indonesia?

I started to like Japan after watching Japanese dramas that were broadcasted in Indonesia, and I thought I would like to learn Japanese. I then chose to major in Japanese language at a local university, but at that time, I only wanted to learn Japanese and didn’t have the idea of working or living in Japan. However, when I saw the “Yosakoi” dance performance at a Japanese festival event organized by the university, I felt a strong desire to go to Japan and see the real thing. As I gradually learned more about Japan, my desire to work in Japan became stronger.

Q: Have you always been interested in making sweets?

When I was a child, there was a kind grandmother who lived near my house and taught me how to make sweets, which made me like making sweets. However, in Indonesia, sweets using whipped cream are not common due to the high temperature, and I had a strong longing for sweets like cakes.

Q: How did your family react when you decided to come to Japan?

Since I was studying Japanese language at a university in Indonesia and had been saying that I wanted to go to Japan to learn, my family sent me off with pleasure. I have now obtained a specified skilled worker visa and have promised my family to stay in Japan for three years, but I intend to tell them that I want to stay longer as there are still many things I want to learn and acquire from Japan.

Aminah

About Studying Japanese and Specified skill

Q: Was it difficult to study to obtain the Specified Skill Visa (Type 1)?

It was not too difficult as the study materials were available. I started studying after switching my visa status to Designated Activities and continued studying for about six months, including during my temporary return to Indonesia, for one hour every day. I remember always carrying the textbook with me to avoid forgetting what I had learned.

Q: Was there any organization that supported your studies?

In Indonesia, I received study support from a company that matched specified skilled workers with Japanese companies and provided employment support for former technical trainees.

Q: What was the reason for obtaining the N2 level certification of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (referred to as JLPT)?

I felt that language proficiency was necessary for working in Japan. I wanted to more accurately understand what my colleagues were saying at work.

About Japan and Japanese language

Q: What expressions do you find particularly difficult to learn in Japanese?

Expressions that combine a verb with another part of speech, such as “Hikari kagayaku” (shine brightly) or “Nageireru” (throw in), were difficult to understand at first because Indonesian language does not have such expressions.

Q: What surprised you about Japan when you came here?

I was surprised that it does not snow even in winter in Okayama Prefecture, where I live. I used to think that it snows everywhere in Japan. I would like to visit a snowy region someday, but I am not good with the cold.

About current life and work

Q: What is your current job?

I work at Donremi Okayama Factory, where I am responsible for the cupcake and roll cake production line. I always strive to finish quickly, accurately, and beautifully.

Q: Can you tell me about your schedule on a workday?

I wake up at 5:30 in the morning. I wake up a little earlier to pray and take a shower. Then I prepare breakfast and leave my house. I work from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. After returning home, I cook dinner. I study after finishing dinner. Since my house is close to the company, I commute by bicycle.

Q: When do you feel a sense of accomplishment at work?

I feel a great sense of accomplishment when I am given a task that I have never experienced before! Even if it feels difficult at first, I encourage myself by thinking, “If others can do it, I can definitely do it if I work hard.”

Q: How do you feel about your work environment?

There are many kind people, and it’s a very easy environment to work in with supervisors who teach Japanese carefully, as well as the work itself. It’s also nice that there’s a company cafeteria. Sometimes I receive strict words from the factory manager, but I understand that it’s necessary to acquire skills.

Q: Are there any other Indonesian people working in your workplace?

There are 37 colleagues who came to Japan in the same group as me and are still working in the same workplace, and among them, there are 15 colleagues who were in the same batch as me during the technical intern training. There are about 100 Indonesian workers (including technical intern trainees and specified skilled workers) in the entire workplace. We have a good relationship where we work together and encourage each other.

Q: What do you do on your days off?

I make sweets and bread at home! I recently bought an oven. I’ve even given homemade bread as a gift to my colleagues at work.

Q: What are your plans after the specified skilled worker period ends?

I have the desire to work in Japan for as long as possible, but right now, I’m so focused on learning the skills of making sweets that I haven’t made any concrete plans for after the specified skilled worker period ends. However, I do want to open a Western-style confectionery shop in Indonesia someday and make cakes.

Advice to juniors

Q: If you had advice for people who want to study and work in Japan from now on, what would it be?

Please try to learn as many words as possible. Also, don’t forget your goals. Even when your motivation for work or study wanes, remember that your goals can give you a boost of energy.

From the interviewer

Aminah’s gentle way of speaking conveys her language skills and confidence in her work. She is now working at the Donremi Okayama factory and is highly trusted by the staff. They say, “Aminah, who has a cheerful and calm personality but continues to work hard with strong beliefs, is an admired presence for the technical intern trainees in our company.” We hope that she will continue to learn many things in Japan and fulfill her dream of opening a Western-style confectionery shop in Indonesia!

Amina（on the right）/ Photo provided by Amina

Experiences of Specified Skilled Worker (1): From Technical Intern Training to Specified Skilled Worker

Xuân got accepted to a top university in her home country but did not enroll due to financial reasons. After studying at a Japanese language school for two years in her home country, she became a technical intern trainee. After completing her three-year technical intern training, she became a specified skilled worker at the same workplace. Here is Xuân’s experience.

If you want to know more, check here!

What Should I Do So I Can Work? | Support Website for the Specified Skilled Worker Program | Immigration Services Agency of Japan