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Large information seminar on working in Japan

Specified Skilled Worker (SSW)

Build Your Skilled Career in Japan.

特定技能Japanese + Skills Test + Employment
特定技能

Build Your Skilled Career in Japan

Specified Skilled Worker (特定技能) is a Japanese status of residence for foreign workers who have the skills and Japanese language ability required to work in designated industrial fields in Japan.

SSW is designed for people who want to use their practical skills to build a career through employment in Japan.

Who Is SSW For?

SSW may be suitable for candidates who:

  • Have the required Japanese language ability
  • Have passed the required skills test for their field
  • Want to work in a designated SSW field
  • Are prepared to work under a Japanese employer
  • Meet the applicable immigration and employment requirements

For SSW(i), candidates generally need to pass both a Japanese-language test and a field-specific skills test. Requirements can vary by field. Some candidates may be exempt from certain tests depending on their previous status or training history.

SSW Fields

The SSW system covers designated industries in Japan. Examples include:

  • Nursing Care
  • Accommodation
  • Food Service
  • Food & Beverage Manufacturing
  • Agriculture
  • Livestock-Related Work
  • Construction
  • Building Cleaning
  • Automobile Transportation
  • Industrial Product Manufacturing
  • Automobile Repair & Maintenance
  • Shipbuilding & Ship Machinery
  • Aviation
  • Railway
  • Fishery & Aquaculture
  • Forestry
  • Wood Industry
  • Other Designated Fields

Available occupations, job duties, examinations and acceptance conditions vary by field and are subject to current Japanese regulations.

Basic Requirements

Japanese Language

For SSW(i), the general requirement is: JFT-Basic or JLPT N4 or higher. Some occupations have additional or higher Japanese-language requirements.

For example:

  • Nursing Care: Nursing Care Japanese Language Evaluation Test is additionally required
  • Automobile Transportation: higher Japanese requirements may apply to certain occupations
  • Railway: higher Japanese requirements may apply to certain occupations

Always check the requirements for your specific field.

Skills Test

Candidates generally need to pass the SSW skills proficiency test for their intended field. The test confirms that the candidate has the knowledge and practical skills required for the relevant occupation.

At AIE

We help candidates prepare for:

  • Japanese language tests
  • Field-specific skills tests
  • Interview communication
  • Workplace Japanese
  • Basic workplace knowledge and etiquette

Your SSW Career Path

  1. 01

    Career Orientation

    Understand SSW, available fields and your suitable career options.

  2. 02

    Japanese Language Preparation

    Develop the Japanese ability required for your target field.

  3. 03

    Skills Test Preparation

    Prepare for the field-specific SSW skills examination.

  4. 04

    Pass Required Tests

    Obtain the required Japanese-language and skills-test qualifications.

  5. 05

    Candidate Registration

    Register your profile with AIE for suitable SSW opportunities.

  6. 06

    Employer / Job Matching

    Your profile may be considered for suitable job opportunities through the appropriate recruitment and sending process.

  7. 07

    Employer Interview

    Prepare for and participate in the employer's selection process.

  8. 08

    Employment & Immigration Procedures

    After selection, proceed with the employment contract and required immigration procedures.

  9. 09

    Pre-Departure Preparation

    Complete required Nepal-side procedures, orientation and departure preparation.

  10. 10

    Start Working in Japan

    Begin your career under the approved SSW status of residence.

Who Does What?

Akshara International Education

Education • Preparation • Candidate Readiness

AIE focuses on preparing candidates before they proceed to employment opportunities.

  • Japanese language education
  • SSW field orientation
  • Skills-test preparation
  • Candidate assessment
  • Progress monitoring
  • Interview preparation
  • Workplace Japanese
  • Japanese workplace culture and etiquette
  • Candidate profile preparation
  • Pre-departure preparation
  • Coordination with appropriate Japan-side partners

Our goal: Prepare candidates who are ready for Japanese workplaces and SSW employment opportunities.

Diamond Star Overseas

Recruitment • Documentation • Sending Process

Where DSO is responsible for the relevant SSW recruitment and sending process, it supports candidates and coordinates with Japanese employers and other responsible organizations.

  • Job demand / vacancy coordination
  • Candidate collection and screening
  • Employer / recruitment coordination
  • Interview and selection coordination
  • Candidate documentation
  • Employment-related documentation
  • COE and immigration-related procedures
  • Visa-related procedures
  • Shram Swikriti
  • Pre-departure orientation
  • Deployment coordination

Specific responsibilities depend on the job, employer, contractual arrangements and applicable Nepal and Japan regulations.

Japanese Employer / Registered Support Organization

Employment • Selection • Japan-Side Support

The Japanese employer and, where applicable, a Registered Support Organization (登録支援機関) are responsible for the relevant Japan-side employment and support arrangements.

This may include:

  • Job position and employment conditions
  • Candidate selection
  • Employment contract
  • Required company-side procedures
  • Immigration-related procedures
  • Support required under the SSW system
  • Workplace and daily-life support in Japan

For SSW(i), required support may be provided by the accepting organization or by a registered support organization acting on its behalf.

From Nepal to Japan

  1. 01

    AIE

    Learn • Prepare • Test • Get Ready

  2. 02

    DSO / Appropriate Sending & Recruitment Process

    Register • Match • Interview • Process

  3. 03

    Japanese Employer / RSO

    Select • Employ • Support

  4. 04

    Japan

    Work • Develop Skills • Build Your Career

Exam Registration

Candidates must register for official Japanese-language and SSW skill examinations through the designated official examination platforms.

These are external official examination systems. Candidates are responsible for creating their accounts, checking available dates and locations, and completing their own exam registration. Akshara provides preparation guidance and support but does not control official exam registration, scheduling, or examination results.

Already Passed Your Tests?

Looking for an SSW opportunity in Japan?

Register Your SSW Candidate Profile

If you have already passed the required Japanese-language and skills tests and are looking for an SSW opportunity, you can register your candidate profile with AIE.

Your Profile May Include:

  • Full name and contact information
  • Japanese language qualification
  • SSW skills-test qualification
  • Preferred SSW field
  • Work experience
  • Education
  • Relevant skills and qualifications
  • Preferred work location
  • Japan career objectives

Registration does not guarantee employment or selection. Opportunities depend on employer requirements, candidate qualifications, selection results and applicable regulations.

From SSW(i) to SSW(ii)

SSW has two residence-status categories.

SSW(i)

For workers with skills required for designated fields.

  • Generally up to 5 years in total
  • Japanese-language and skills requirements apply
  • Required support is provided
  • Family accompaniment is generally not permitted

SSW(ii)

For workers with more advanced skills in applicable fields.

  • No upper limit on the period of stay through repeated renewals, subject to requirements
  • Family accompaniment is permitted under the applicable conditions
  • Advanced skills requirements apply

Not every SSW field is currently available under SSW(ii).

For Japanese Employers & Partner Organizations

Looking for Skilled Candidates from Nepal?

Akshara International Education prepares Nepali candidates for SSW opportunities and works with appropriate Japan-side employers and partner organizations.

AIE Can Support:

Candidate Preparation

Japanese language and occupational preparation.

Skills-Test Preparation

Preparation for relevant SSW field examinations.

Candidate Screening

Language ability, skills-test status, education, experience and career objectives.

Interview Preparation

Japanese communication and employer interview preparation.

Candidate Progress Information

Test status, Japanese level, preparation progress and candidate readiness.

Recruitment Coordination

Coordination with appropriate sending/recruitment partners, Japanese employers and support organizations.

We Welcome Cooperation With:

  • Japanese Companies
  • Registered Support Organizations
  • Recruitment Organizations
  • Japan-Side Career Support Organizations
  • Relevant Industry Organizations and Partners

Looking for Nepali SSW Candidates?

Candidate selection, employment, residence status and deployment are subject to the requirements of the employer, relevant organizations and Japanese immigration regulations.

About Specified Skilled Worker

The SSW system currently covers 19 fields under SSW(i). The applicable fields, examinations, requirements and acceptance conditions may change according to Japanese government policy. For official information, candidates and partners should refer to the current information published by Japan's Immigration Services Agency.

SSW FAQs

Questions About SSW

Build Your Skilled Career in Japan

Learn. Prepare. Connect. Build Your Career.