Latest cost of studying in Japan as a trainee – How to save?

When it comes to job opportunities abroad, go trainee in Japan is always the top concern of many Vietnamese workers. This is an opportunity to help workers build skills, increase income and gain valuable experience. With the desire to bring the most accurate and complete information, in this article, in this article, T-Connect will help you learn in detail about the cost of studying in Japan, the factors affecting the cost, the financial resources that need to be prepared and how to help you save the most.

What is going to Japan as a trainee?

The Japanese Technical Internship Program is a government-supported program that helps train and improve workers’ skills. This program creates conditions for workers to work in Japanese companies, learn professional skills, and after returning to Vietnam, they can apply their knowledge to develop the economy.

Since 2006, the International Human Resources Development Association of Small and Medium Enterprises of Japan (IMM Japan) has cooperated with the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of Vietnam to establish a trainee program.

This program attracts young people aged 18-30, meeting the requirements of education, professional skills and good health to complete work in Japan.

Purpose of the Japanese trainee program

The Japanese trainee program is built with clear goals, including:

• Improve skills: Help Vietnamese workers learn professional skills and apply advanced technology to production.
• Contribute to business development: Support Japanese businesses with high quality human resources.
• Practice and application: Help workers apply the knowledge they have learned into practice when they return to Vietnam.

Term of internship in Japan

There are two options for the duration of the Japanese trainee program:

• 1 year: Suitable for those who want to quickly learn about the job.
• 3 years: Provides long-term employment opportunities, thereby optimizing income.

During the first month, workers will be apprenticed at the union. From the second month, they will work according to the factory in the signed contract.

What are the conditions for participating in the trainee program in Japan?

When researching the cost of studying in Japan as a trainee, it is important to understand the conditions of participation. Below are the detailed requirements that candidates must meet:

Age and gender	Age from 18-30 years old Recruiting both men and women Priority is given to ages 20-27 for effective working time
Physical and health conditions	Male height from 1m60, weight over 50kg Female, height from 1m50, weight over 45kg Good health, no infectious diseases No deformities, tattoos, large scars Good eyesight (can wear glasses)
Education and language proficiency	Graduated from junior high school or higher Have N4 certificate or higher Basic Japanese communication skills Priority is given to those who have taken Japanese language courses.
Legal conditions	No criminal record Never been denied a Japanese visa Have valid permanent residence Qualify for a passport
Experience and industry requirements	There are currently 85 occupations regulated by OTIT.
Procedure conditions	The file has 10 documents, the process includes 5 steps.
Financial conditions	Prepare about 100 million VND

Details of basic costs for trainees in Japan

The total cost of studying in Japan ranges from 4.000 - 5.000 USD (equivalent to 100-125 million VND).

Chi phí môi giới

The brokerage fee when going to Japan as a trainee does not exceed 1 month's salary in the labor contract, depending on the labor export company and the specific order. This fee includes:

• Consulting and application support fees
• Basic training costs
• Document translation and notarization fees
• Brokerage fees in Japan

Chi phí khám sức khỏe

A general health check-up is an indispensable step in the journey to become a trainee in Japan. With a fee of 1.5-2 million VND, workers will be fully examined according to Japanese standards. The examination package includes:

• General examination
• Blood tests
• X-ray
• Vision and hearing test
• Other specialized tests upon request

Cost of training courses, passport and visa

The process of preparing to become a trainee in Japan requires an investment of about 15-20 million VND for training and legal procedures:

• Japanese language training course tuition (6-12 months)
• Cost of study materials
• Passport fees
• Visa application fee
• Training fees on culture and life skills

Travel and physical training expenses before going to Japan

Before going to Japan, workers also need to prepare for travel expenses, airfare and physical training. This is an important step to help workers work more effectively in the new environment.

Cost of living in Japan for trainees

When going to Japan, trainees need to prepare basic living expenses:

• Rent: 25,000-40,000 yen/month
• Electricity and water bill: 5,000-10,000 yen/month
• Food expenses: 30,000-50,000 yen/month
• Health and social insurance: according to company regulations
• Communication and internet costs: 5,000-8,000 yen/month

Subsidy costs for trainees in Japan

In the first year, in addition to the basic salary, trainees also receive a government subsidy ranging from 19 to 25 million VND.

In the second year, workers not only continue to receive this subsidy but also enjoy benefits equivalent to those of Japanese workers. Specifically, monthly salaries can range from 24 to 36 million VND, not to mention overtime income that can bring in an additional 7 to 12 million VND per month. Many companies also provide travel allowances and regular bonuses, helping workers to cover their living expenses and accumulate a significant amount of money after completing the program.

In particular, after completing the 3-year program, the total amount of support that workers receive can exceed 100 million VND. This figure, combined with the accumulated income during the working process, can help workers accumulate an amount of up to more than 200 million VND.

More importantly, in addition to economic value, workers are also trained to improve their skills, professional qualifications and expand their employment opportunities after returning home. This is truly a worthy investment for the future careers of Vietnamese workers. 

Compare costs between regions in Japan

Cost in Tokyo vs. other cities

The cost of living in Tokyo is usually 20-30% higher than in other cities. Specifically:

	Tokyo	Other city
Teaching	40,000-60,000 yen/month	25,000-40,000 yen/month
Cost of living	150,000-200,000 yen/month	100,000-150,000 yen/month

Factors affecting the cost of living

The cost of studying in Japan as a trainee can vary based on many factors:

• Geographical location of the workplace
• Type of accommodation (dormitory/private house)
• Personal living habits
• Season of the year (electricity and water costs vary by season)
• Support policy of the receiving company

Experience in saving costs for trainees in Japan

To optimize the cost of studying in Japan, workers need to have a clear strategy from the beginning:

• Order selection plays a key role: You should prioritize orders with policies to support reduced fees and work locations in small and medium-sized cities. In particular, orders that provide free dormitories can help save significantly on monthly living expenses.
• Optimize learning costs during preparation: You can do this by combining free online courses with formal training. Studying in groups not only helps to share the cost of materials but also creates a more effective learning environment. Additionally, actively searching for and applying for scholarship programs can help to reduce the financial burden.
• Managing living expenses when in Japan: This requires careful planning and smarts. Instead of eating out, cooking at home is not only more cost-effective but also healthier. Taking advantage of student and trainee discount cards, as well as shopping at discount stores are effective ways to control monthly expenses.

The cost of studying in Japan is an important factor that needs to be carefully considered before deciding to participate in the program. T-Connect Hopefully this article has helped you better understand the costs involved, as well as provided useful information so you can best prepare for your trip.

If you are preparing for a trip to Japan and need a SIM or telecommunication service, contact T-Connect now! We offer the best and most flexible service packages for the Vietnamese community in Japan, ensuring you always stay in touch with friends and relatives. Don't miss the opportunity, let T-Connect help you have the most complete and enjoyable trip!