This FAQ compiles questions often received by the Counseling Counters and their answers. Please contact the Counseling Counters if anything is unclear.

• Specified Skilled Worker System
• Examinations (Skill Tests and Japanese Language Tests)
• Work Scope for Specified Skilled Workers
• Transitioning from being a Technical Intern Trainee to a Specified Skilled Worker

Specified Skilled Worker System

Can foreign people who are not technical intern trainees become Specified Skilled Workers (i)?

It is possible to be employed as a Specified Skilled Worker if you pass the Skill Tests as well as the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N4 or the JFT-Basic Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese . Please confirm the details about the Skill Tests on the website of the Organization for Technical Skill Assessment of Foreign Workers in Food Industry (OTAFF) .
Organization for Technical Skill Assessment of Foreign Workers in Food Industry (OTAFF): Specified Skilled Worker (i) Skill Test

Examinations (Skill Tests and Japanese Language Tests)

Please tell me the dates of the Skill Tests.

Please confirm the dates of the tests within and outside Japan at the following website.
Organization for Technical Skill Assessment of Foreign Workers in Food Industry (OTAFF): Specified Skilled Worker (i) Skill Test

Are there study texts for the Skill Tests?

Please see the following websites.
・Manufacture of Food and Beverages Field…Japan Food Industry Association : About Implementation of Tests for the New System for Accepting Foreign Human Resources
・Food Service Industry Field…Japan Foodservice Association: About Implementation of Tests for the New System for Accepting Foreign Human Resources

Please tell me other details about the Skill Tests and past test questions.

Please see the Organization for Technical Skill Assessment of Foreign Workers in Food Industry (OTAFF) website for inquiries about the tests.
OTAFF: Frequently Asked Questions About the Specified Skilled Worker (i) Skill Test

Are there requirements and qualifications in order to take the Skills Tests?

The requirements for taking the tests are to have status of residence in Japan (not being an illegal alien), being over 17 years old on the date of the test), and having a passport issued by a foreign country’s government or regional authority organization (passport besides those of the Islamic Republic of Iran / as of September 2020).

Can foreign people who have applied for refugee status take the Skills Tests?

From April 1, 2020, it became possible to take the tests if you have the status of residence of Designated Activities (in the process of applying for refugee recognition ) for the manufacture of food and beverages field and the food services industry field.
However, even if you pass the test, your status of residence might not be recognized depending on the decision of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.

Is it possible to apply for both the manufacture of food and beverages field test and the food services industry field test?

Yes.

In regard to the Japanese language tests, if I am in a country where the JFT-Basic Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese is not implemented, can my Japanese language skills be certified with a different Japanese test such as the J.Test of Practical Japanese , the JPT Japanese Proficiency Test or the Nihongo Kentei?

In regard to proving Japanese language ability level, it is necessary to pass either the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N4 or the JFT-Basic Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese.
It is possible to take the JFT-Basic Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese in the country you live in or another country, and in that case explanations, matters to note, etc. will be given in the country’s language or English. In addition, the method for paying the test fee depends on the country, so it is recommended to confirm with the test organization in advance.
JFT-Basic Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese

Work Scope for Specified Skilled Workers

Can Specified Skilled Workers engage in related work such as delivery and cleaning?

Even if it is outside your actual main work for the manufacture of food and beverages field and the food service industry field, such as materials procurement, receiving, product delivery, cleaning, and workplace management work, it is possible to engage in ancillary related work that a Japanese person would do who does the same work as the Specified Skilled Worker.
However, because it is ultimately related work, it is not permitted to only engage in that work.

Is it possible to engage in management work such as interpretation and providing instruction for Technical Intern Trainees working at the same workplace, as ancillary work?

It is possible if you provide interpretation and instruction to other foreign human resources as ancillary work while ultimately working in manufacturing, processing, customer service, etc.
However, it is not permitted to only do such work as a full-time interpreter or full-time instructor (interpretation and instruction are not applicable for the Specified Skilled Worker System).

Transitioning from being a Technical Intern Trainee to a Specified Skilled Worker

If a person who has finished being a Technical Intern Trainee in the manufacture of food and beverages field transitions to being a Specified Skilled Worker, is it only possible to transition to the same category of work as the person did as a Technical Intern Trainee?

If it is a category falling under the manufacture of food and beverages field, then you may engage in work regardless of whether it was the category or work you did when you were a Technical Intern Trainee (however, alcoholic beverage manufacturing is not applicable). *For example, foreign human resources who work on bread manufacturing as Technical Intern Trainees may work in the marine food products manufacturing industry when they transition to being Specified Skilled Workers. They may also change occupations to work in the soft drink manufacturing industry as Specified Skilled Workers.
However, it is only possible to engage in ancillary work (work such as management and transport besides manufacturing) if it is work that Japanese people who do the same work would do.

Is it possible to transition to being a Specified Skilled Worker while you are a Technical Intern Trainee (iii)?

It is not possible to transition to being a Specified Skilled Worker while you are a Technical Intern Trainee.
Technical Intern Trainees engage in activities to acquire skills, etc. based on the technical intern training plan . Foreign human resources who have not completed the technical intern training plan are not permitted to change to the Specified Skilled Worker status of residence.

Can Technical Intern Trainees in different fields who have completed their training transition to being Specified Skilled Workers in the manufacture of food and beverages field / food service industry field?

Because the fields are different, it is necessary to pass the Specified Skilled Worker (i) Skill Test in the new corresponding field. However, regardless of the occupation category or work category, you are exempt from taking the Japanese language test if you finish the Technical Intern Trainee (ii) training in good standing.