Japan is facing a severe labor shortage due to its aging population and declining birthrates. To address this issue, Japan introduced the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa program in 2019 to bring in foreign workers to fill gaps across several industries facing labor shortages. The SSW visa requires passing rigorous exams that test candidates’ skills and Japanese language ability to ensure they can contribute to the workforce.
What is the Specified Skilled Worker Visa?
The SSW visa program has two types of visas – Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 requires a higher level of skills and Japanese language ability. Under SSW Type 1, visa holders can renew their visa indefinitely and also bring their families. SSW Type 2 has a lower requirements bar. It allows visa holders to work for up to 5 years in Japan, without the option of bringing dependents.
To be eligible, candidates must meet educational and work experience criteria specific to their industry. They must pass exams assessing their skills, Japanese language ability and knowledge of Japanese regulations. SSW Type 1 requires level N4 Japanese, while SSW Type 2 requires basic conversational Japanese.
Importance of the Specified Skilled Worker Exam
The SSW exams play a crucial role in matching candidates to the specific skill demands across the 14 designated industries in Japan. Passing these exams demonstrates that candidates have the requisite expertise to fill labor needs and contribute to the Japanese economy.
Moreover, the exams evaluate knowledge of Japanese industrial standards and regulations. This understanding ensures foreign workers can smoothly integrate into the Japanese corporate culture and comply with all regulations.
Above all, the exams assess critical Japanese language skills. Even basic fluency is essential for workplace safety, communicating with colleagues and providing services. Hence passing the language component of these exams is mandatory across industries.
Sectors Covered Under the SSW Visa
The SSW visa program currently covers 14 sectors facing acute labor shortages:
- Caregiving: Assisting elderly and disabled patients with nursing, mobility and daily tasks.
- Building Cleaning: Cleaning services and waste disposal.
- Machine Parts and Tooling: Manufacturing industrial machinery and tools.
- Industrial Machinery: Installation, operations and maintenance.
- Electronics: Assembly and production of electronic devices and components.
- Construction: Civil engineering, carpentry, electrical and plumbing.
- Shipbuilding & Marine: Construction and maintenance of ships, boats and other marine vehicles.
- Automobile Maintenance: Inspection, servicing and repairs of motor vehicles.
- Aviation: Aircraft maintenance and ground handling services.
- Lodging: Front office management, housekeeping, maintenance and F&B roles at hotels and inns.
- Agriculture: Crop cultivation and harvest, livestock farming, fisheries and aquaculture.
- Food & Beverage Manufacturing: Production planning, raw material handling and facility operations.
- Food Service: Customer service, cooking, inventory management and facility operations across restaurants, bars and eateries.
Specified Skilled Worker Exam List
The exams assess proficiency across a range of domain skills and knowledge vital to each sector.
- Caregiving
Examinations cover skills like patient transfer techniques, use of mobility aids, long-term care procedures and nursing assistance. Testing language proficiency in medical vocabulary and caregiving instructions.
- Agriculture
Evaluating capabilities ranging from crop cultivation expertise, livestock handling experience, machinery operations, and applying fertilizers and pesticides safely. Testing agricultural terminology in Japanese.
- Construction
Assessing specialized skills like a carpentry, welding, electrical wiring, plumbing, plastering and painting. Exams also cover worksite safety protocols, quality standards compliance and basic Japanese construction vocabulary.
The exams are customized to address the specific occupational demands for the remaining industries as well. Although tailored to Japan’s higher industrial and regulatory standards, the test content is reasonable for workers with sufficient preparation.
Preparing for the Exams
Aspiring SSW visa holders can refer to sector-specific study materials available in five languages. These include technical guidebooks, sample exam papers and Japanese language learning resources provided by the government’s Technical Intern Training program.
Gaining Japanese language proficiency is vital for the exam and workplace requirements across both visa types. Candidates must actively build vocabulary linked to their target sector for passing job-related components. Additionally, SSW Type 1 applicants need extensive preparation to clear the higher N4 benchmark.
Final Words
The Specified Skilled Worker visa program promises abundant jobs across labor-starved industries to qualified foreign workers. Passing these meticulously designed exams enable candidates to demonstrate sector-specific skills and language ability vital for the Japanese work environment. Aspiring applicants should promptly begin skilling up and learning Japanese to avail of the opportunities provided by Japan’s new approach towards immigration.
