If you love cooking food, being a butcher in Japan could be really exciting. Japan is known for its delicious food, and people there really care about having the best ingredients, especially meat. That’s why skilled butchers are becoming more and more important.
In this guide, we explore the intricacies of pursuing a career as a butcher in Japan, offering invaluable insights and practical advice for aspiring individuals keen on experiencing Japanese cuisine and culture.
Disclaimer: The information posted here is based on the personal experiences shared by the OFW in the video below. Please let this post serve as a guide only. If you have specific questions, you may ask the OFW by commenting on their video on their accounts.
Agency Route to Becoming a Butcher in Japan
This article is based on a YouTube video from an OFW vlogger. In this video, the Japan-based Filipino butcher talks about the steps he took to land a job in the country. If you want to watch the full video, then click on the link below:
In the video above, the vlogger shares that in order to become a butcher in Japan, you can go through the agency route. One such agency is the Advanced Ability Assistance Foundation, also known as AAA, located in Sta. Rosa Laguna, Philippines.
Situated conveniently in Balibago Sta. Rosa, accessing AAA’s office is straightforward. Hop on a tricycle and instruct the driver to take you to Cross Town Mall in Pulong Sta. Cruz. Once there, make your way to the second floor where the AAA office is situated. Here, opportunities for employment are continuously available, as AAA specializes in manpower recruitment for various industries, including the butchery trade.
Documents Needed
The next crucial step s ensuring you have all the necessary paperwork in order. Here are the documents you need to submit to AAA:
- Resume – Highlight your skills and experience.
- Passport – Valid identification for international travel.
- 2×2 ID picture – Recent photograph for official documents.
- TOR (Transcript of Records) – Academic record of your qualifications.
- Diploma – Proof of completion for your education.
- Form 138 – High school report card or transcript.
- PSA Birth Certificate – Official document verifying your birth details.
- NBI Clearance – Certificate indicating no criminal record.
Qualifications
To work as a butcher, applicants should adhere to the following:
- The age limit set by the agency is 30 to 35 years old, depending on the employer’s requirements.
- Educational attainment of at least high school graduation is necessary.
- Applicants are required to have completed senior high school.
- Regarding work experience:
- Applicants must possess work-related experience, although some employers may consider those with no related work experience.
- AAA, the agency, accepts applicants even without related work experience.
- A vlogger who works in a company in Japan, among 10 Filipinos, is the only one with experience as a meat cutter or butcher.
Salary
The salary for butchers or meat cutters in Japan varies depending on the company and location of employment. On average, it ranges from approximately 40,000 to 50,000 pesos. However, this figure is subject to fluctuations based on the prevailing exchange rate. Additionally, the salary may be influenced by overtime opportunities.
Typically, factory workers in Japan have overtime options available, which can further impact their overall earnings.
- Experience: The level of experience a butcher has can significantly impact their salary, with more experienced butchers often commanding higher pay.
- Location: Salaries may vary depending on the city or region within Japan where the butcher is employed, with higher wages typically found in metropolitan areas.
- Type of Establishment: The type of establishment where the butcher works, such as a small local butcher shop versus a large-scale meat processing plant, can influence salary levels.
- Skills and Specializations: Butchers with specialized skills or certifications, such as expertise in specific cutting techniques or knowledge of Japanese language and culture, may earn higher salaries.
- Employer: The specific employer or company that hires the butcher can also impact salary, with some companies offering more competitive wages or additional benefits.
- Union Memberships: Butchers who are members of labor unions or collective bargaining agreements may have negotiated higher salary rates compared to non-unionized workers.
- Economic Conditions: Overall economic conditions, including inflation rates and market demand for meat products, can influence salary levels within the butchery industry.
Here are the factors that affect the salary of a butcher in Japan:
- Experience: The level of experience a butcher has can significantly impact their salary, with more experienced butchers often commanding higher pay.
- Location: Salaries may vary depending on the city or region within Japan where the butcher is employed, with higher wages typically found in metropolitan areas.
- Type of Establishment: The type of establishment where the butcher works, such as a small local butcher shop versus a large-scale meat processing plant, can influence salary levels.
- Skills and Specializations: Butchers with specialized skills or certifications, such as expertise in specific cutting techniques or knowledge of Japanese language and culture, may earn higher salaries.
- Employer: The specific employer or company that hires the butcher can also impact salary, with some companies offering more competitive wages or additional benefits.
- Union Memberships: Butchers who are members of labor unions or collective bargaining agreements may have negotiated higher salary rates compared to non-unionized workers.
- Economic Conditions: Overall economic conditions, including inflation rates and market demand for meat products, can influence salary levels within the butchery industry.
Expenses for Applying:
- When applying through the agency, candidates may expect additional expenses.
- A sum of 75,000 pesos is allocated for a four-month Nihongo language learning program, inclusive of board, lodging, and meals.
- Personal expenses, transportation fares, and document processing fees are also to be considered.
- While some agencies offer the Nihongo course without extra charges, applicants lacking immediate funds may utilize referral services to access loans.
- The borrowed amount must be repaid within a year, with considerably high-interest rates.
- However, as affirmed by the vlogger, the investment proves worthwhile.
On Female Butchers
Female applicants are accepted as butchers, although this decision is contingent upon the hiring policies of individual companies. At the vlogger’s workplace, six female butchers are employed, primarily responsible for cutting and weighing meats.
However, tasks such as deboning or heavier duties are typically assigned to male butchers. Interested individuals can explore opportunities by directly visiting the agency. It’s worth noting that the six female butchers at the vlogger’s workplace lack related work experience, highlighting the possibility of securing employment in this field without prior experience.
Embarking on a journey to apply as a butcher in Japan requires navigating an intricate process, but with the help of an agency, and some money, you can greatly reduce the complexity. As showcased in this article, agencies like the AAA can provide opportunities and give support to aspiring butchers. The demand for butchers in Japan will only continue to rise, and skilled butchers in the Philippines can always rely on this avenue to fulfill their dreams.