Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has published an updated list of 16 sectors open to foreign workers under the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa programme. The programme aims to address labour shortages in key areas of Japan's economy. Eligible foreign workers with the required skills and Japanese language ability can apply for jobs in these sectors. The SSW programme covers a broad range of industries, from nursing care and agriculture to shipbuilding and railway infrastructure.
The 16 sectors covered by the SSW programme include nursing care, building cleaning management, manufacture of industrial products, construction, shipbuilding and ship machinery, automobile repair and maintenance, aviation, accommodation, agriculture, fishery and aquaculture, manufacture of food and beverages, food service, automobile transportation, railway, forestry, and wood industry. These sectors offer a wide range of occupations for foreign workers.
To qualify for the SSW programme, foreign nationals must meet requirements applicable to their chosen sector. Applicants generally need to pass a skills assessment designed for their specific field and meet the required Japanese language standard. Additional conditions may also apply depending on the sector and the applicant's circumstances.
Foreign workers should check the requirements for their specific occupation and confirm whether their country has the necessary arrangements with Japan before applying. Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has published a list of countries with formal bilateral agreements to participate in the programme. All 17 approved nations are located in Asia or the Pacific, with no African, European or American country appearing on the list.
The agreements set out a formal framework governing how interns and sending organisations participate in Japan's technical training initiative. The SSW programme is designed to support industries experiencing labour shortages while providing eligible foreign workers with a route to employment in Japan.
According to Yen.com.gh, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs manages the SSW programme. The initiative is intended to help address labour shortages in key areas of Japan's economy. Eligible foreign workers can apply for jobs in the 16 listed sectors.
The programme requires sector-specific skills and Japanese language assessments, with quotas applied across each field. Foreign workers can explore opportunities in various sectors, including construction, agriculture, forestry, and transportation, under the SSW programme.
Key points
- Japan lists 16 sectors open to foreign workers under Specified Skilled Worker visa programme.
- Foreign nationals must pass sector-specific skills and Japanese language assessments to qualify.
- All 17 approved countries for the programme are located in Asia or the Pacific.
