SPECIFIED SKILLED WORKER SUPPORT
WHAT IS THE SPECIFIED SKILLED WORKER SYSTEM?
The Specified Skilled Worker system is a status of residence newly established under the Act on the Revision of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Ministry of Justice Act, promulgated in December 2018. This system was introduced to address Japan’s growing labor shortages by accepting foreign nationals who possess a certain level of expertise and Japanese language proficiency. These individuals are expected to contribute immediately in the workplace across 16 designated industrial fields, all of which have been significantly impacted by workforce shortages.
The Specified Industrial Fields:
| Fields | Main duties |
|---|---|
Nursing Care |
Providing physical care to elderly or disabled individuals who require assistance with daily activities—such as bathing, eating, and toileting, depending on their condition—as well as performing other care-related tasks, including supporting recreational activities and assisting with rehabilitation. |
Building Cleaning |
Cleaning the interiors of nonresidential buildings frequently used by the public to maintain a sanitary environment, preserve aesthetic appeal, ensure safety, and facilitate proper maintenance. Cleaning tasks are performed through the appropriate selection of cleaning methods, detergents and tools based on the specific characteristics of the location, surfaces, building materials and types of dirt. The goal is to remove environmental contaminants and maintain a clean and sanitary indoor environment. |
Industrial Product Manufacturing (Machinery and Metalworking Category) |
Casting / Forging / Die casting / Machining / Metal pressing / Ironworking / Sheet metal fabrication / Finishing / Plastic molding / Machine inspection / Machine maintenance / Electrical equipment assembly / Painting / Welding / Industrial packaging / Reinforced plastic molding / Metal heat treatment |
Industrial Product Manufacturing (Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assembly Category) |
Machine processing / Finishing / Plastic molding / Printed circuit board manufacturing / Electronic equipment assembly / Electrical equipment assembly / Machine inspection / Machine maintenance / Industrial packaging / Reinforced plastic molding |
Industrial Product Manufacturing (Metal Surface Treatment Category) |
Plating / Aluminum anodizing |
Industrial Product Manufacturing (Paper Container and Cardboard Box Manufacturing Category) |
Paper container and cardboard box manufacturing process operations |
Industrial Product Manufacturing (Concrete Product Manufacturing Category) |
Concrete product manufacturing process operations |
Industrial Product Manufacturing (RPF Manufacturing Category) |
RPF (refuse-derived fuel) manufacturing process, including crushing and molding |
Industrial Product Manufacturing (Ceramic Product Manufacturing Category) |
Ceramic product manufacturing process operations |
Industrial Product Manufacturing (Printing and Bookbinding Category) |
Offset printing, gravure printing, and bookbinding manufacturing process operations |
Industrial Product Manufacturing (Textile Product Manufacturing Category) |
Spinning / Weaving / Dyeing / Knitwear manufacturing / Warp-knitted fabric manufacturing / Carpet manufacturing |
Industrial Product Manufacturing (Apparel Manufacturing Category) |
Women's and children's apparel manufacturing / Men's apparel manufacturing / Underwear manufacturing / Bedding manufacturing / Canvas product manufacturing / Fabric sewing / Seat cover sewing |
Construction (Civil Engineering Category) |
Formwork construction / Concrete pumping / Tunnel boring / Construction machinery operation / Earthwork / Rebar installation / Steeplejack / Marine civil engineering |
Construction (Building Construction Category) |
Formwork construction / Plastering / Concrete pumping / Roofing / Earthwork / Rebar installation /Rebar jointing / Interior finishing / Wallpapering / Steeplejack / Building carpentry / Building sheet metal work/ Sprayed urethane insulation |
Construction (Life-Support Facilities Category) |
Telecommunications / Piping / Architectural Sheet Metal / Insulation and Refrigeration |
Shipbuilding and Ship Machinery Industries (Shipbuilding Category) |
Welding / Painting / Ironwork / Steeplejack / Piping / Ship machining |
Shipbuilding and Ship Machinery Industries (Marine Machinery Category) |
Welding / Painting / Ironwork / Finishing / Machining / Piping / Casting / Metal Pressing / Reinforced plastic molding / Machine maintenance / Marine machinery processing |
Shipbuilding and Ship Machinery Industries (Marine Electrical and Electronic Equipment Category) |
Machine processing / Electrical equipment assembly / Metal press processing / Electronic equipment assembly / Printed circuit board manufacturing / Piping / Equipment maintenance / Marine electrical and electronic equipment processing |
Automobile Repair and Maintenance |
Daily inspection and maintenance, periodic inspection and maintenance, specific maintenance, and related work (such as maintenance of electronic control devices and bodywork and painting) |
Aviation (Airport Ground Handling Category) |
Aircraft ground taxiing support operations / Baggage and cargo handling operations / Baggage and cargo loading and unloading operations / Cleaning and maintenance of aircraft interiors and exteriors |
Aviation (Aircraft Maintenance Category) |
Flight maintenance (maintenance performed on aircraft that have arrived at the airport between flights) / Airframe maintenance (maintenance performed approximately every 1 to 1.5 years, lasting approximately 1 to 2 weeks, covering every part of the airframe) / Equipment and engine maintenance (maintenance of landing gear, control surfaces, flight and control instruments, engines, etc. removed from the aircraft) |
Accommodation |
Front desk operations (check-in/check-out, providing information on nearby tourist attractions, arranging hotel tours, etc.) / Planning and public relations (developing campaigns and special plans, creating brochures for in-house use, disseminating information via websites and social media, etc.) / Guest services (guiding guests within the inn or hotel, responding to inquiries from guests, etc.) / Restaurant services (taking orders, serving meals, clearing tables, etc.) food preparation and plating, etc.) |
Automobile Transportation Business (Bus Driver Category) |
Transportation operations (pre- and post-trip vehicle inspections, safe transportation of passengers, creation of trip records, etc.) / Customer service (passenger assistance, etc.) |
Automobile Transportation Business (Taxi Driver Category) |
Transportation operations (pre- and post-trip vehicle inspections, safe transportation of passengers, creation of trip records, etc.) / Customer service (passenger assistance, etc.) |
Automobile Transportation Business (Truck Driver Category) |
Transportation operations (pre- and post-trip vehicle inspections, safe transportation of cargos, creation of trip records, etc.) / Customer service |
Railway (Track Maintenance Category) |
Work and inspection related to the construction, improvement, and repair of tracks and related structures / Track inspection work (measuring track displacement such as elevation and alignment) / Rail replacement work (replacing old rails with new ones, including ancillary work such as lifting operations) / Sleeper replacement work (replacing old sleepers with new ones, related tasks such as ballast bed excavation) / Ballast handling work (ballast excavation and backfilling, forming the ballast bed shape, compaction, and alignment work, etc.) / Work involving safety equipment (installation, replacement, removal, and restoration of safety equipment such as derailment prevention guards, and related tasks such as tightening and loosening of fastening devices, etc.) |
Railway (Electrical Equipment Maintenance Category) |
Electrical Circuit Equipment (overhead lines, power transmission lines, distribution lines, etc.) / Substation Equipment (circuit breakers, transformers, rectifiers, surge arresters, protective devices, grounding devices, fire extinguishing equipment, etc.) / Electrical Equipment (distribution panels, switches, power supply units, lighting equipment, electrical display devices, electrical snow melting equipment, etc.) / Signal Safety Equipment (signal devices, points switching devices, interlocking devices, train detection devices, automatic train stop devices, etc.) / Safety communication equipment (switching devices, transmission devices, wireless devices, terminal devices, communication lines, etc.) / Railroad crossing safety equipment (railroad crossing barriers, railroad crossing warning devices, railroad crossing warning time control devices, railroad crossing obstruction notification devices, obstacle detection devices, etc.) *Including supports, cables, pipes, wiring, etc., for the above equipment |
Railway (Rolling Stock Maintenance Category) |
Train inspections, periodical inspections, and special inspections (including inspections of air conditioning systems, power collection systems, running gear, braking systems, air systems, electrical systems, power generation systems, safety devices, vehicle bodies, crew compartments and passenger compartment equipment, coupling devices, and other vehicle components), and repairs (including disassembly and replacement of consumables), etc.) / Yard switching (switching and guiding of vehicles at vehicle depots, etc.) / Station dispatch response (inspection and repair of vehicles at stations, etc.) / Modification work (modification and improvement of vehicles, etc.) / Regular and temporary cleaning services (cleaning of vehicles at vehicle depots, etc.) / Inventory and spare parts management, Handling of factory equipment / Management of materials, parts, equipment, etc. related to the above, and operation and management of equipment |
Railway (Rolling Stock Manufacturing Category) |
Material processing (sheet moquette processing, bogie frames, structural component processing, etc.) / Component assembly work (wheel axles (drive mechanisms), electrical equipment assembly (such as distribution panels), doors, windows, canopies, seats, and other interior equipment assembly, etc.) / Structural assembly (chassis frames, roof structures, side structures, and end structures assembly, frame (hexagonal) assembly, etc.) / Painting / Welding / Finishing (installation of equipment, wiring, piping, doors, windows, ceilings, toilet facilities, etc.) / Bogie frame manufacturing / Bogie assembly / Electronic equipment assembly (driving safety devices (ATC devices, ATS devices), control devices, monitoring devices, etc.) / Electrical equipment assembly (assembly of distribution panels using relays, etc.) / Testing and inspection (functional testing, etc.) / Part inspection and distribution (warehouse management and transportation of parts, etc.) |
Railway (Transportation Staff Category) |
Point operations (operating points to determine the route of trains, displaying or indicating appropriate railway signals in accordance with the route of trains) / Switching signals (signals to staff for switching tracks, coupling, or separating trains) / Station facility management and handling operations (management and operation of ticket vending machines, ticket gates, etc., initial repairs in case of equipment failure) / Passenger and cargo handling operations (ensuring safety on platforms during normal and abnormal conditions, providing passenger information, providing passenger information during transfer transportation, receiving cargo, designating temporary storage locations and loading trains, etc.) / Operations management (confirming and managing train schedules and train operations, designating trains for suspension or additional runs during abnormal conditions) / Conductor operations (providing passenger information on trains, signaling to drivers, safety checks necessary for accident prevention, and measures to prevent accident escalation such as train protection in case of accidents, as well as evacuation guidance in case of abnormalities) / Train driver duties (requires a locomotive operator's license for train operation) (train operation (including conductor duties in case of one-man operation) |
Agriculture (Crop Farming Category) |
Soil preparation tailored to each crop / Fertilization / Handling of seeds and seedlings / Handling of materials and equipment / Cultivation-related work / Safety and hygiene work, etc. |
Agriculture (Livestock Farming Category) |
Handling of equipment tailored to each livestock species / Handling and observation of individual animals / Feeding and management / Handling of products / Safety and hygiene work, etc. |
Fishery (Fishery Category) |
Capture of fish and shellfish primarily by angling (longline fishing, bonito pole-and-line fishing, squid fishing, etc.) / Capture of fish and shellfish primarily by nets or traps (set net fishing, seine net fishing, trawl fishing, etc.) / Repair of fishing gear (nets, cages, etc.) / Fish detection using sonar or fish finders / Operation of machinery for fishing (net and line haulers, automatic squid fishing machines, etc.) / Sorting, packing, freezing, and preliminary processing of catch / Loading and unloading of catch and fishing gear at fishing ports, etc. |
Fishery (Aquaculture Category) |
Rearing of fish, shellfish, seaweed, etc. / Feeding of farmed fish, removal of dead fish and uneaten feed, etc. / Cleaning of barnacles and other attachments from farmed shellfish / Harvesting of farmed aquatic animals and plants, transportation to fish markets or landing ports / Shelling of farmed shellfish / Cleaning of aquaculture ponds and nets, water quality management, etc. / Construction and repair of aquaculture rafts / Production and collection of aquaculture aquatic animal and plant seedlings, etc. |
Manufacture of Food and Beverages |
Processing, heating, sterilization, molding, drying, and other production-related tasks / Ensuring the safety of machinery used in operations, managing worker hygiene, and other tasks to maintain occupational safety and food hygiene |
Food Service Industry |
Food preparation (preparing, cooking, and manufacturing food and beverages to be served to customers, e.g., food preparation, heated cooking, non-heated cooking, seasoning, plating, and food preparation) / Customer service (performing tasks other than food preparation necessary to serve food and beverages to customers, e.g., seating customers, menu recommendations, taking orders, serving, clearing tables, setting cutlery, collecting payments, product setup, product handover, collection of dishes and containers, reservation acceptance, table setup, handling complaints, communication and coordination with food service providers, etc.) / Store management (tasks necessary for store operations other than the above two categories, e.g., overall hygiene management within the store, employee shift management, recruitment and employment-related administrative tasks, employee training and guidance, management of reservation and customer information, cash register and ticket machine management, accounting management, communication and coordination with internal headquarters, business partners, and government agencies, maintenance of various equipment and facilities, replenishment, ordering, inspection, or quantity control of ingredients, consumables, and supplies, menu planning and development, creation of menu books, POP advertisements, etc., planning of promotions and advertisements, maintenance of the store's internal and external environment, improvement of store operations, creation and revision of work manuals, etc.) |
Forestry |
Planting seedlings and growing trees / Log production, etc. |
Wood Industry |
Sawmilling / Plywood (veneer) manufacturing / Wood chip manufacturing / Plywood manufacturing / Laminated wood manufacturing / Precut processing / Precious wood manufacturing / Floorboard manufacturing |
The status of residence “Specified Skilled Worker” consists of two categories: Specified Skilled Worker (i) and Specified Skilled Worker (ii). Specified Skilled Worker (i) is intended for foreign nationals engaged in work requiring skills that necessitate a certain level of knowledge or experience in a specific industrial field, with a maximum cumulative period of stay of five years. Specified Skilled Worker (ii) is intended for foreign nationals engaged in work requiring highly specialized skills in a specific industrial field, with a maximum cumulative period of stay of three years, but this period can be extended indefinitely through renewal. foreign nationals engaged in work requiring highly specialized skills in specific industries, with a maximum residence period of three years, which can be extended indefinitely through renewal. Transition from (i) to (ii) is possible regardless of whether the (i) period has been completed, provided that the individual passes an examination specified by industry and meets the practical experience requirements. Obtaining the (ii) status allows foreign nationals may also consider obtaining the “Permanent Residence” status, enabling them to envision a long-term future in Japan. The acceptance of Specified Skilled Workers (ii) is being implemented in phases by industry sector, and in the future, acceptance will be possible in all currently recognized sectors except for the Nursing Care field (in the Nursing Care field, foreign nationals may obtain the “Care Worker” status after completing (i)).
ABOUT REGISTERED SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS
Under the Specified Skilled Worker system, Affiliated Organizations (employers) are required to provide support for the workplace, daily life, and social life of Specified Skilled Workers. To reduce the burden on Affiliated Organizations and ensure the stable and smooth operation of the system, Registered Support Organizations are established to carry out these support services on behalf of the Affiliated Organization. Whether to entrust support to a Registered Support Organization and which aspects of support to entrust are determined at the discretion of the Affiliated Organization.
The latest list of Registered Support Organizations published by the Immigration Services Agency is available here (only in Japanese).
The latest list of Registered Support Organizations published by the Immigration Services Agency is available here (only in Japanese).
SPECIFIED SKILLED WORKER EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT
The Specified Skilled Worker system includes extensive living support and legal obligations for regular reporting that are not found in other work-related status of residence. It is difficult for employers to cover all of these requirements on their own. Even if an employer has entrusted some or all of the support to a Registered Support Organization, the Affiliated Organization is still responsible for fulfilling certain obligations, such as regular reporting. Additionally, the quality of Registered Support Organizations varies significantly, with substantial differences in the scope of support provided and their understanding of regulatory requirements. This creates a constant risk that the employment of Specified Skilled Workers may become illegal. Our firm provides comprehensive support to ensure that clients maintain compliance with all legal obligations throughout the entire process of employing and utilizing Specified Skilled Workers, from procedural aspects to overall compliance management.
STATUS OF RESIDENCE APPLICATION SUPPORT
Our firm is an authorized agent for the Immigration Services Agency and specializes in applications for status of residence for foreign nationals. We provide support for applications for Certificates of Eligibility, applications for extension of period of stay for Specified Skilled Workers, as well as applications for change of status of residence from Technical Intern Training to Specified Skilled Worker, among other services.
OBLIGATORY NOTIFICATION SUPPORT
Employers of Specified Skilled Workers are required to submit periodic reports annually detailing the status of their activities, the implementation of support measures, along with other ad hoc reports as required by the Immigration Bureau. Our firm can prepare and submit these reports on behalf of our clients. Fees are not calculated based on the number of foreign nationals but can be included within the scope of a monthly advisory contract. Please feel free to consult with us for further details.
"REGISTERED SUPPORT ORGANIZATION" REGISTRATION SUPPORT
The application for registration as a Registered Support Organization with the Director-General of the Immigration Services Agency must be submitted to the Regional Immigration Bureau with jurisdiction over the applicant's head office or principal place of business, accompanied by all documents demonstrating that the applicant has the necessary systems in place to implement the entire Support Plan for Specified Skilled Workers (i). Our firm provides full support from consulting to ensure compliance with requirements and preparation of necessary documents, through submission of the application to the Regional Immigration Bureau, to responding to any requests from the immigration authorities following the application.
CONTACT US
If you have any questions, want to hear more about the service, please feel free to contact us using the inquiry form below or by phone.
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