Specified Skilled Worker

Notices & Updates

What is ‘Specified Skilled Worker’?

‘Specified Skilled Worker’ is a new residency status that was introduced by the Government of Japan in April 2019, under which aspiring Indian youth can take up a job and stay in Japan. Japan introduced ‘Specified Skilled Worker’ to address the severe labor shortages in Japan by accepting foreign human resources with specific expertise and skills. As of July 2022, Japan has signed SSW Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with 15 nations including India. India and Japan signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in January 2021 for the implementation of ‘Specified Skilled Worker’ between India and Japan.

Key Features

Target Segment

Accepts foreign nationals (18 years old or above) with considerable degree of knowledge or experience belonging to a specific sector. For more information on How to work as SSW, click here.

Japanese language level required

Proficiency in Japanese language required in daily life and at the workplace needs to be confirmed by Japanese language exams. Those who have completed three years in Technical Intern Training are exempted from the exams. For more information, click here.

Period of stay

Currently up to 5 years in total. Accompaniment of family members isn’t permitted.

Applicable specific sectors

An aspiring SSW candidate can participate in the SSW program through 12 sectors specified by the Government of Japan. These sectors are: Nursing care, Building cleaning management, Machine parts & tooling/ Industrial machinery/ Electric, electronics & information Industries, Construction industry, Shipbuilding and ship machinery industry, Automobile repair and maintenance, Aviation industry, Accommodation industry, Agriculture, Fishery & aquaculture, Manufacture of food and beverages, Food service industry. For more details on the job categories under each sector, click here.

Skill standards required

The skill level is confirmed by sector-specific skill exams. Those who have completed three years in Technical Intern Training in the same sector are exempted from exams. For more information, click here.

SSW - Benefits to the Indian Youth

Empowering the youth of India by providing overseas opportunities for carrer development

SSW Test Information

Japanese language test for Basic Japanese (JFT-Basic)

JFT-Basic seeks to measure the level of Japanese language proficiency needed by foreign nationals about to reside in Japan mainly for work, to communicate in everyday life situations. It tests the Japanese language proficiency of a candidate across four sections: a) Script & vocabulary, b) Conversation & expression, c) Listening comprehension, and d) Reading comprehension.

*For all the SSW sectors, the candidate must either pass the N4 (or above) level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) or the A2 (or above) level of the Japan Foundation test for Basic Japanese (JFT-Basic).

JFT-Basic requirement for SSW: For any SSW sector, the candidate must pass A2 (or above) level.

Important links pertaining to JFT-Basic test

To read more about JFT-Basic: https://www.jpf.go.jp/jft-basic/e/about/
To book an appointment for JFT-Basic: http://ac.prometric-jp.com/testlist/jfe/jftbasic_india.html
For information on test schedule: http://ac.prometric-jp.com/testlist/ssw/schedule/Schedule_F1.html
For Content of Examination Sample Questions: https://www.jpf.go.jp/jft-basic/sample/q01.html

Nursing care SSW domain test

Currently Japan has opened the sector-specific domain test for nursing care sector.

Important links pertaining to Nursing care SSW domain test

To read more about Nursing care SSW domain test: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/newpage_000117702.html
To book an appointment for Nursing care SSW domain test: http://ac.prometric-jp.com/testlist/nc/nursingcare_india.html
For information on test schedule: http://ac.prometric-jp.com/shared/schedu/Schedule_JH.pdf
For Content of Examination Sample Questions:
Nursing care skills evaluation test: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/12000000/000503363.pdf
Nursing care Japanese language evaluation test: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/12000000/000503364.pdf
For Preparatory textbooks:
For skill test (English): www.jaccw.or.jp/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/kaigo_tokutei_ginou_english_20211015.pdf
For language test (English): https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/12000000/000777519.pdf

Agriculture SSW domain test

Currently Japan has opened the sector-specific domain test for agriculture sector.

Important links pertaining to Agriculture SSW domain test

To read more about Agriculture SSW Domain test- https://ac.prometric-jp.com/testlist/agriculture/agriculture_india.html
For information on Test Schedule- https://ac.prometric-jp.com/shared/schedu/Schedule_NC.pdf
To read more about Purpose and Benefits of the test- https://asat-nca.jp/en/overview/purpose/
To read more about the Flow of Test Procedure- https://asat-nca.jp/en/flow/index/
For information on Procedure for the Agriculture Skill Assessment Test- https://www.nca.or.jp/upload/procedure_for_the_asat.pdf
For the Outline of the Agriculture Skill Assessment test standard-
Crop Farming- https://www.nca.or.jp/upload/outline_of_the_asat1.pdf
Livestock Farming- https://www.nca.or.jp/upload/outline_of_the_asat2.pdf
For Learning Text-
Crop Farming- https://asat-nca.jp/en/images/asat_cf_en.pdf
Livestock Farming- https://asat-nca.jp/en/images/asat_lf_en.pdf
Japanese Language- https://asat-nca.jp/en/images/japanese_text.pdf

Process Flow on How can one start to work as SSW

Projected number of vacancies across sectors as shared by Japan

S.No.	Sectors	Expected vacancies	SSWs in Japan (as of March 2023)
1	Nursing care	50,900	19,516
2	Building cleaning management	20,000	2,349
3	Machine parts & tooling/ Industrial machinery/ Electric, electronics and information Industries	49,750	32,644
4	Construction industry	34,000	15,512
5	Shipbuilding and ship machinery industry	11,000	5,573
6	Automobile repair and maintenance	6,500	2,121
7	Aviation industry	1,300	200
8	Accommodation industry	11,200	232
9	Agriculture	36,500	18,629
10	Fishery & Aquaculture	6,300	1,955
11	Manufacture of food and beverages	87,200	49,119
12	Food service industry	30,500	7,014

Japanese Language Tests

For all the SSW sectors, the candidate must either pass the N4 (or above) level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) or the A2 (or above) level of the Japan Foundation test for Basic Japanese (JFT-Basic).

Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)

JLPT is a test held worldwide to evaluate and certify proficiency in Japanese language of non-native speakers. It covers Japanese language knowledge (both vocabulary and grammar), reading comprehension, and listening skills. JLPT is jointly conducted by The Japan Foundation (JF) and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES).

JLPT requirement for SSW: For any SSW sector, the candidate must pass N4 (or above) level.

Content of Examination Sample Questions: www.jlpt.jp/e/samples/n4/index.html

To read more about JLPT: https://www.jlpt.jp/e/about/
JLPT test schedule: The JLPT is held on first Sundays of July and December, every year.

The list of JLPT test sites and local host institutions in India is as follows:

1	New Delhi	Mombusho Scholars Association of India (MOSAI)	T: +91(11)2331-3524
			E-mail: mosai.india@gmail.com
			website: www.mosai.org.in
2	Pune	Japanese Language Teachers' Association, PUNE (JALTAP)	JT: +91(20)2426-6463
			E-mail: jaltap123@gmail.com
			Website: altap.org.in
3	Kolkata	The Indo-Japan Welfare and Cultural Association	T: +91(33)2475-3773
			E-mail: gbdnb2003@yahoo.co.in]
			E-mail: iindojapanwca@gmail.com
			website: http://www.ijwca.org
4	Chennai	ABK-AOTS DOSOKAI, Tamilnadu Centre, Chennai	T: +91(44)2374-0318
			F: +91(44)2374-3575
			E-mail: Abkaots@gmail.com, Rangaots@gmail.com
			website: http://abkaotschennai.com/
5	Bengaluru	Bangalore Nihongo Kyooshi-kai (BNK)	T:+91-7338073002
			Email: jlptbnk07@gmail.com,
			pr.bangalorenihongokyoushikai@gmail.com
			website: https://www.facebook.com/bangalorenihongokyoshikai.bnk
			Website:http://bnkindia.in
6	Mumbai	Teachers Association of Japanese (TAJ)	T: +91(98)7000-5997
			+91(75)0693-4758/4759
			F: +91(22)2577-1418
			website:www.taojmumbai.com
			E-mail: taj.mumbai@gmail.com
7	Santiniketan	Visva-Bharati	T: +9194334-68569
			F: +913463-262672
			website: http://www.visvabharati.ac.in/
			E-mail:info@visva-bharati.ac.in
8	Karur	Japanese Language Teachers Association	T: +91-9361851191
			+91-9626642191
			Email: jaltrast@gmail.com
			website: https://jaltra.org

Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese (JFT-Basic)

JFT-Basic seeks to measure the level of Japanese language proficiency needed by foreign nationals about to reside in Japan mainly for work, to communicate in everyday life situations. It tests the Japanese language proficiency of a candidate across four sections: a) Script & vocabulary, b) Conversation & expression, c) Listening comprehension, and d) Reading comprehension.

JFT-Basic requirement for SSW: For any SSW sector, the candidate must pass A2 (or above) level.
Content of Examination Sample Questions: https://www.jpf.go.jp/jft-basic/sample/q01.html

To read more about JFT-Basic: https://www.jpf.go.jp/jft-basic/e/about/
Website of Prometric: http://ac.prometric-jp.com/testlist/jfe/jftbasic_india.html

JFT-Basic test schedule:

For information on test schedule, pls refer to the link: https://ac.prometric-jp.com/testlist/ssw/schedule/Schedule_F1.html

Details of permissible Sectors and Job roles under SSW

S.No.	Specified Industry Fields	Competent Ministry or Agency of Industry fields	Jobs to engage in
1	Nursing care	Ministry of Health, Labour & Welfare	•In addition to Nursing care (assistance with bathing, feeding and excretion responding to the physical and mental condition of the user), other related support services (assistance with recreation and functional training, etc.) Note: Visiting services are not included. (1 test category)
2	Building cleaning management	Ministry of Health, Labour & Welfare	•Interior building cleaning (1 test category)
3	Machine parts and tooling/ industrial machinery/ electric electronics and information industries	Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry	•Machining and metal processing •Electric and electronic equipment assembly •Metal surface treatment. (3 test categories)
4	Construction Industry	Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism	•Civil engineering •Building •Infrastructure facilities & equipment (3 test categories)
5	Shipbuilding and ship machinery industry		•Welding •Finishing •Plastering •Machining •Iron work •Electrical equipment assembling (6 test categories)
6	Automobile repair and maintenance		•Automobile daily maintenance, regular maintenance, certified maintenance, the work in incidentally in certified maintenance. (1 test category)
7	Aviation industry		•Airport ground handling (ground driving support services, baggage, and freight handling services) •Aircraft maintenance (maintenance of aircraft and equipment, etc.) (2 test categories)
8	Accommodation industry		•Providing accommodation services, such as working at the front desk, planning/public relations, hospitality, restaurant services. (1 test category)
9	Agriculture	Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries	•General crop farming (cultivation management, collection/shipping/sorting of agricultural products, etc.) •General livestock farming (breed management, collection/shipping/sorting of livestock products, etc.) (2 test categories)
10	Fishery & aquaculture		•Fishery (production and repair of fishing gear, search for marine animals and plants, operation of fishing gear and machinery, the capture of marine animals and plants, processing and storage of catch, ensuring health and safety, etc.) •Aquaculture industry (production, repair and management of aquaculture materials, breed management, collection (harvesting) and processing of aquaculture animals and plants, ensuring health and safety, etc.) (2 test categories)
11	Manufacture of food & beverages		•General food and beverage manufacturing (manufacturing/processing and health and safety of food and beverages (excluding liquor) (1 test category)
12	Food service industry		•General restaurant industry (food and beverage processing, customer service, store management) (1 test category)

Sector-specific Domain Tests

A candidate must pass the specific sector test for the sector that he/she wants to get into under SSW.

Nursing-care sector

Currently Japan has opened the sector-specific domain test for nursing care sector. For information on test schedule, pls refer to the link: https://ac.prometric-jp.com/shared/schedu/Schedule_JH.pdf

Agriculture sector

Japan has opened the sector-specific domain test for agriculture sector. For information on test schedule, please refer to the link: https://ac.prometric-jp.com/shared/schedu/Schedule_NC.pdf

Test Resources for SSW sectors domain tests:

S.No.	Sector	Testing organization & test resources
1	Nursing care	Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/newpage_000117702.html Website of Prometric https://ac.prometric-jp.com/testlist/nc/index.html Content of Examination Sample questions: Nursing care skills evaluation test: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/12000000/000503363.pdf Nursing care Japanese language evaluation test: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/12000000/000503364.pdf Preparatory textbooks: For skill test (English): www.jaccw.or.jp/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/kaigo_tokutei_ginou_english_20211015.pdf For language test (English): https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/12000000/000777519.pdf
2	Building cleaning management	Japan Building Maintenance Association (Only Japanese) https://www.j-bma.or.jp/qualification-training/zairyu Content of Examination Practical skill test: https://www.j-bma.or.jp/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/2019tokutei_mondai_v2.pdf Paper test: https://www.j-bma.or.jp/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/2019tokutei_mondai_v2.pdf
3	Machine parts and tooling/ Industrial machinery/ Electric, electronics and information industries	Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry Content of Examination Sample questions Sample questions for each category are posted on the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry website, and for reference, the practical test of the casting and forging are listed. For more information on acceptance of foreign Human Resources with specified skills in the manufacturing industry- https://www.sswm.go.jp/assets/img/top/gaikokujinzai_en.pdf Practical test (Sample Casting)- https://sswm.go.jp/assets/files/exam_f/sample_01_01.pdf Practical test (Sample Forging)- https://sswm.go.jp/assets/files/exam_f/sample_01_02.pdf For more sample papers on other categories refer to- https://sswm.go.jp/exam_f/examination.html
4	Construction industry	Japan Association for Construction Human Resources https://jac-skill.or.jp/exam_en.html Content of Examination Sample questions for each category are posted on Japan Association for Construction Human Resources website, and for reference, the paper test and practical test of the formwork construction are listed. Paper test (Sample): http://www.nikkendaikyou.or.jp/ssw/ka_sample.pdf Practical skill test(Sample): http://www.nikkendaikyou.or.jp/ssw/ka_skilltest.pdf
5	Shipbuilding and ship machinery industry	NIPPON KAIJI KYOKAI (ClassNK) https://www.classnk.or.jp/hp/en/authentication/evaluation/index.html Content of Examination Sample questions (Those posted on the website of Nippon KAIJI KYOKAI) Paper test (Welding): https://www.classnk.or.jp/hp/pdf/authentication/evaluation/guide/wellding/sample_wellding.pdf
6	Automobile repair and maintenance	Japan Automobile Service Promotion Association (Partially available for English): https://www.jaspa.or.jp/mechanic/specific-skill Website of Prometric (available for English) : http://ac.prometric-jp.com/testlist/automobile/index.html Content of Examination Sample questions (Those posted on the website of Japan Automobile Service Promotion Association) Paper test https://www.jaspa.or.jp/Portals/0/resources/jaspahp/user/specific-skill/pdf/Theorytest questions.pdf Practical skill test https://www.jaspa.or.jp/Portals/0/resources/jaspahp/user/specific-skill/pdf/Practicaltestquestions_2.pdf
7	Aviation industry	Japan Aeronautical Engineers Association (JAEA) https://www.jaea.or.jp/about
8	Accommodation industry	General Incorporated Association Center for Accommodation Industry Proficiency Test https://caipt.or.jp/tokuteiginou Content of Examination Sample questions (Those posted on the website of the General Incorporated Association Center for Accommodation Industry Proficiency Test) https://caipt.or.jp/download/20190414_kakomon.pdf
9	Agriculture	National Chamber of Agriculture https://asat-nca.jp/en/ Website of Prometric http://ac.prometric-jp.com/testlist/agriculture/index.html Content of Examination The NThe National Chamber of Agriculture website does not contain sample questions, but it does contain learning textbooks. Learning textbooks (available in English) : https://asat-nca.jp/textbook/
10	Fishery and Aquaculture	Japan Fisheries Association https://suisankai.or.jp/skill/ Website of Prometric http://ac.prometric-jp.com/testlist/aquaculture/index.html Content of Examination The Japan Fisheries Association website does not contain sample questions, but it does contain learning textbooks. Learning textbooks (available in English) : https://suisankai.or.jp/skill
11	Manufacture of food and beverages	Organization for Technical skill Assessment of Foreign workers in Food industry (OTAFF) https://otaff.or.jp/ Website of Prometric (Available for English) http://ac.prometric-jp.com/testlist/food-and-beverages/index.html Content of Examination The Organization for Technical skill Assessment of Foreign workers in the Food industry (OTAFF) website does not contain sample questions, but Japan Food Industry Center does contain learning textbooks. Learning textbooks (available in English) : https://www.shokusan.or.jp/news/3199/
12	Foodservice industry	Organization for Technical Skill Assessment of Foreign Workers in Food industry (OTAFF) https://otaff.or.jp/ Website of Prometric http://ac.prometric-jp.com/testlist/food_service/index.html Content of Examination The Organization for Technical skill Assessment of Foreign workers in Food industry (OTAFF) website does not contain sample questions, but Japan Foodservice association does contain learning textbooks. Learning textbooks (available in English) : https://www.jfnet.or.jp/contents/gaikokujinzai/