When studying and working in Japan, Vietnamese female international students and technical intern trainees need more than Japanese language skills and professional knowledge. They also need to know how to protect themselves. Recognising potential risks, responding appropriately and knowing where to seek help can make it easier to live safely and confidently away from home.

Tohoku Songda highlights seven situations that female international students and technical intern trainees should understand before travelling to Japan.

1. Being followed, harassed or approached by a stranger and feeling unsafe

When travelling to school, going to work or returning to accommodation, do not ignore a situation in which someone repeatedly follows you, deliberately approaches you or behaves suspiciously.

What to do:

• Move to a busy public place, shop or location with security staff.

• Call a family member, friend or person in charge to explain the situation.

• Avoid going to an isolated place if you suspect someone is following you.

• If you are threatened or at risk of being attacked, call the police on 110.

Keep the address of your accommodation, the contact details of the person responsible for your welfare and the locations where you can seek help readily available.

2. Experiencing unwanted comments, messages or behaviour

Inappropriate comments, sexually suggestive messages, unwanted physical contact and pressure of a sexual nature should all be taken seriously. You should not feel obliged to remain silent simply because the person responsible is a colleague, supervisor or acquaintance.

What to do:

• If it is safe to do so, clearly state that the behaviour is unacceptable and ask the person to stop.

• Keep messages, images and records of relevant dates, locations and people involved, provided you can do so safely.

• Report the incident to a trusted person in charge, your school, employer or the relevant authorities.

• If you experience sexual violence, you can call #8891 to connect with a sexual violence support centre in Japan.

You are not to blame if someone harasses or abuses you. If the person receiving your report does not provide appropriate assistance, seek help from another support organisation.

3. Experiencing pressure or inappropriate treatment at work

During employment, problems may arise, including verbal abuse, threats, pressure to work beyond agreed conditions or a lack of clear explanations about wages and working hours.

If you encounter such problems, remain calm, establish the facts and keep relevant documents, such as your employment contract, payslips, work schedules and messages. Do not rush into signing documents you do not understand.

Technical intern trainees can report problems to their supervising organisation, the organisation responsible for their training programme or the relevant support authority. International students working part-time can seek advice on Japanese labour law.

For official information on labour regulations for foreign workers, visit the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's website: Labour law information and consultation for foreign workers in Japan.

Do not rush into quitting your job, abandoning your studies or leaving your accommodation without understanding your options, unless you need to leave immediately to protect your safety.

4. Having problems with roommates or people you live with

Living in shared accommodation or a dormitory requires everyone to respect personal space and house rules. Disagreements over cleanliness, utility bills, sleeping hours or the use of personal belongings can create tension if they are not addressed promptly.

You should:

• Discuss problems calmly, explain your concerns and agree on shared living rules.

• Avoid using other people's belongings without permission or sharing their private information.

• Contact the accommodation manager, school or responsible organisation if conflicts persist.

• If you are threatened, assaulted or at risk, prioritise leaving the dangerous situation and seeking help.

If you feel unsafe living with someone, explain the situation clearly to the person responsible and ask them to consider an appropriate solution rather than enduring the problem for a prolonged period.

5. Becoming ill, having an accident or experiencing health problems away from home

Some people hesitate to seek medical treatment abroad because they are worried about costs or find it difficult to communicate in Japanese. However, delaying treatment may make a health problem more serious.

Prepare the following in advance:

• Your health insurance card and necessary identification documents.

• The address of a nearby medical facility.

• Contact details for the person responsible for your welfare and your family.

• Information about medication allergies or any important health concerns.

If you experience a medical emergency, such as severe difficulty breathing, unconsciousness or heavy bleeding, call 119 for an ambulance. For non-emergency medical concerns, contact a healthcare provider or the person responsible for your welfare for guidance.

Do not force yourself to attend classes or go to work when you are unwell simply because you are afraid of being reprimanded. Report your absence according to the relevant rules and seek medical assistance when necessary.

6. Meeting someone new who asks you to keep secrets, lend money or send private images

Making friends and finding someone to talk to are natural parts of life abroad. However, be cautious if someone you have recently met repeatedly asks you to transfer money, lend them your identification documents, disclose passwords, send private images or meet alone in an isolated location.

To protect yourself:

• Never share your banking passwords, verification codes or identity documents for someone else to use.

• Do not transfer money because someone pressures or threatens you or promises unclear benefits.

• Do not send intimate images if you do not want to or feel pressured into doing so.

• If someone threatens to distribute your images, extorts money or coerces you, preserve evidence if it is safe to do so and seek assistance from the police or an appropriate support organisation.

You do not have to keep a frightening situation secret just because someone demands it. Speak to someone you trust and seek help as early as possible.

7. Feeling lonely, stressed or unable to talk to anyone

Academic pressure, work, financial concerns and language barriers can leave female international students and technical intern trainees feeling overwhelmed. Some may avoid calling home because they do not want to worry their parents, while others hide their difficulties because they believe they must handle everything themselves.

In these situations, you should:

• Stay in regular contact with your family and speak honestly about your life.

• Maintain suitable eating, sleeping and exercise habits.

• Talk to a teacher, supervisor, trusted friend or professional counsellor when you feel overwhelmed.

• Seek support if stress persists and begins to affect your sleep, health, studies or work.

If you have thoughts of harming yourself or feel unable to keep yourself safe, find someone who can stay with you and contact emergency services or an appropriate support facility.

Not every problem has to be solved alone. Knowing when and how to ask for help is an important skill when living abroad.

Emergency numbers female international students and technical intern trainees should save before travelling to Japan

• 110: Police emergencies.

• 119: Ambulance and fire services.

• #8891: Connects callers with sexual violence support centres in Japan. Some IP phone services may not be able to connect using this number.

You should also save the contact details of your school, receiving company, supervising organisation, accommodation manager and family members in Vietnam.

A message to female international students and technical intern trainees

Preparing to travel to Japan involves more than learning Japanese, researching your job and arranging your finances. You should also learn how to recognise risks, protect your personal information, maintain your health and seek help when necessary.

When a problem arises, stay calm, prioritise your safety and contact the appropriate people for assistance. Do not remain silent about situations that may affect your safety simply because you feel embarrassed, fear being judged or do not want to worry your family.

Tohoku Songda hopes that every female international student and technical intern trainee will be well prepared to study, work and build a confident life in Japan.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Songda Tohoku Joint Stock Company

Address: L02-L01, Area A, Duong Noi Urban Area, Duong Noi Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam

Hotline: 0989 044 852 / 0989044852

Email: tohokusongda2014@gmail.com

Website: https://tohoku.vn