🗣️ Nov 14: Free Life & Work Consultation in Nara

❓ What is happening?

On Saturday, November 14, 2026, a free "Life and Work" consultation event for foreign nationals will be held in Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture. It is hosted by Nara Prefecture and the Osaka Regional Immigration Services Bureau, and the Osaka Office of the Organization for Technical Intern Training (OTIT) will also take part. In practice this puts three desks in one room: the prefecture's daily-life support side, the immigration bureau that handles residence procedures, and the body that supervises technical intern training and the new employment-for-skill-development system. Normally the hardest part is deciding which of those three to approach, and guessing wrong means another trip on another day. This event removes that step by gathering them in one place. Consultations cost nothing, and interpreters are arranged, so limited Japanese is not a barrier. It is open not only to foreign residents themselves but also to staff at companies that employ them. It is deliberately held on a Saturday for people who cannot take time off on a weekday. Two formats are offered: in person at the venue, and online. People who book in advance are served first; those without a booking can still be seen if a consultation booth is free. For online consultations, however, a reservation is required. The venue address, reception hours, how to book, and the languages covered are set out in the official leaflet (PDF) rather than in OTIT's announcement text, so check the leaflet before you go.

👥 Who is this for?

• ●Foreign residents in and around Nara Prefecture, whatever their residence status - questions about daily life and work are both welcome
• ●Technical intern trainees and workers under the employment-for-skill-development system, who can speak directly with OTIT Osaka Office staff
• ●Anyone uncertain about residence procedures or changing/renewing their status, since the Osaka Regional Immigration Services Bureau is a co-host
• ●Staff at implementing organizations, supervising organizations and other companies that employ foreign nationals - employers may consult, not just workers
• ●People who cannot take weekday leave and have been unable to visit government counters (this is a Saturday event)

🌏 Impact on foreign residents

Problems with daily life or work often drag on simply because it is unclear which office to ask. Unpaid wages or overtime, not being able to take leave, trouble with dormitories or rent, health insurance and pension, renewing your period of stay, whether you can change jobs or transfer employers - these normally belong to different counters, but at this event you can raise them one after another in the same room. Because interpreters are on hand, you avoid the common outcome of giving up on a question because you cannot phrase it in Japanese. There is no fee. As it falls on a Saturday, you do not have to request time off, which also helps if you would rather your employer not know what you are asking about. If you live too far to reach Kashihara, you can choose an online slot - but online requires a booking, so you cannot join on impulse on the day. For technical intern trainees and employment-for-skill-development workers, OTIT Osaka Office staff being physically present is a chance to explain your situation directly, without going through your supervising organization. Note that this is a one-day event inside Nara Prefecture and is not designed for short-term tourists.