Specified Skilled Worker

Notices & Updates

SSW test for nursing care sector launched in India. For more information, scroll down to the SSW Test Information section.

New Japanese language test for SSW- JFT Basic launched in India. For more information, scroll down to the SSW Test Information section.

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 January 2021, Japan has signed SSW Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with 13 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 14 sectors specified by the Government of Japan. These sectors are: Nursing care, Building cleaning management, Machine parts & tooling industries, Industrial machinery industry, Electric, electronics and 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
To learn how to book an appointment on Prometric: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRznkHI2KToLfWvkV26gd5KJztQmezYJAwp65ezVFABpGfrf8m326gShG1m-4sc0z2x0-JZfsA0-mSt/pub
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
To learn how to book an appointment on Prometric: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRznkHI2KToLfWvkV26gd5KJztQmezYJAwp65ezVFABpGfrf8m326gShG1m-4sc0z2x0-JZfsA0-mSt/pub
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

Process Flow on How can one start to work as SSW

Projected number of vacancies across sectors as shared by Japan

S.No.	Sectors	Projected Vacancies Till 2023	SSWs in Japan (as of August 2021)
1	Nursing care	60,000 people	3502
2	Building cleaning management	37,000 people	455
3	Machine parts & tooling industries	21,500 people	2325
4	Industrial machinery industry	5,250 people	2860
5	Electric, electronics and information Industries	4,700 people	1488
6	Construction industry	40,000 people	3390
7	Shipbuilding and ship machinery industry	13,000 people	952
8	Automobile repair and maintenance	7,000 people	434
9	Aviation industry	2,200 people	35
10	Accommodation industry	22,000 people	121
11	Agriculture	36,500 people	4678
12	Fishery & Aquaculture	9,000 people	425
13	Manufacture of food and beverages	34,000 people	12678
14	Food service industry	53,000 people	1688

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
How to schedule a test appointment on Prometric?: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRznkHI2KToLfWvkV26gd5KJztQmezYJAwp65ezVFABpGfrf8m326gShG1m-4sc0z2x0-JZfsA0-mSt/pub

JFT-Basic test schedule:

For information on test schedule, pls refer to the link: https://emigrate.gov.in/ext/japanSSW.action

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.) (1 test category)
2	Building cleaning management	Ministry of Health, Labour & Welfare	•Interior building cleaning (1 test category)
3	Machine parts and tooling industries	Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry	•Casting •Factory sheet metal work •Machinery inspection •Forging •Plating •Machine maintenance •Die casting •Aluminum anodizing treatment •Painting •Machining •Welding •Metal press •Finishing (13 test categories)
4	Industrial machinery industry		•Casting •Factory sheet metal work •Electronic equipment assembly •Forging •Plating •Electric equipment assembling •Die Casting •Finishing •Printed wiring board manufacturing •Machining •Machinery inspection •Plastic molding •Painting •Machinery maintenance •Metal press •Iron work •Industrial packaging •Welding (18 test categories)
5	Electric, electronics and information Industries		•Machining •Machinery maintenance •Painting •Metal press •Electronic equipment assembly •Welding •Factory sheet metal work •Electric equipment assembling •Industrial packaging •Plating •Printed wiring board manufacturing •Finishing •Plastic molding (13 test categories)
6	Construction Industry	Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism	•Formwork construction •Plastering •Concrete pumping •Tunnel Propulsion •Construction machinery and construction •Earthwork •Roofing •Telecommunications •Reinforcement construction •Reinforcing bar joints •Interior finishing/material mounting •Scaffolding •Carpentry •Plumbing •Building sheet metal work •Heat-retention and cool-retention •Spray urethane insulation •Offshore civil engineering (18 test categories)
7	Shipbuilding and ship machinery industry		•Welding •Finishing •Plastering •Machining •Iron work •Electrical equipment assembling (6 test categories)
8	Automobile repair and maintenance		•Automobile everyday inspection and maintenance, Regular inspection and maintenance, Disassembly (1 test category)
9	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)
10	Accommodation industry		•Providing accommodation services, such as working at the front desk, planning/public relations, hospitality, restaurant services (1 test category)
11	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)
12	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)
13	Manufacture of food & beverages		•General food and beverage manufacturing (manufacturing/processing and health and safety of food and beverages (excluding liquor) (1 test category)
14	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://emigrate.gov.in/ext/japanSSW.action

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 http://ac.prometric-jp.com/testlist/nc/nursingcare_india.html How to schedule a test appointment on Prometric? https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRznkHI2KToLfWvkV26gd5KJztQmezYJAwp65ezVFABpGfrf8m326gShG1m-4sc0z2x0-JZfsA0-mSt/pub 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 industries	Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry https://www.sswm.go.jp/en/exam_f/ 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 paper test and practical test of the casting are listed. Paper test (Sample): https://www.sswm-e.go.jp/pdf/01_gakka.pdf Practical skill test (Sample): https://www.sswm-e.go.jp/pdf/01_jitsugi.pdf
4	Industrial machinery industry	Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry https://www.sswm.go.jp/en/exam_f/ 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 paper test and practical test of the casting are listed. Paper test (Sample): https://www.sswm-e.go.jp/pdf/01_gakka.pdf Practical skill test (Sample): https://www.sswm-e.go.jp/pdf/01_jitsugi.pdf
5	Electric, electronics and information Industries	Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry https://www.sswm.go.jp/en/exam_f/ 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 paper test and practical test of the casting are listed. Paper test(Sample): https://www.sswm-e.go.jp/pdf/01_gakka.pdf Practical skill test(Sample): https://www.sswm-e.go.jp/pdf/01_jitsugi.pdf
6	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
7	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
8	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
9	Aviation industry	Japan Aeronautical Engineers Association (JAEA) https://www.jaea.or.jp/exam Content of Examination Sample questions (Those posted on the website of Japan Aeronautical Engineers' Association (JAEA)) Aircraft maintenance https://www.jaea.or.jp/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/samplequestions_maint_201221.pdf Airport ground handling https://www.jaea.or.jp/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/samplequestions_gh_201221.pdf
10	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
11	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 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/
12	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
13	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/
14	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/