Japan is one of the world’s most advanced economies, but in recent years, it has faced severe labor shortages in multiple industries. To address this challenge, the Japanese government introduced the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) residency status in April 2019, opening the door for skilled foreign workers to build careers in Japan.
For Indian youth, this opportunity became official when India and Japan signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) in January 2021. Since then, the SSW program has emerged as a powerful pathway for Indians to work, live, and grow professionally in Japan.
🌍 What is the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW)?
The Specified Skilled Worker is a residency status that allows foreign nationals to work in Japan in specific industries facing workforce shortages.
- Who can apply? Foreign nationals aged 18 years or above with skills and work experience in a designated sector.
- Why was it introduced? To fill labor gaps in industries like nursing care, agriculture, construction, food services, and more.
- Duration of stay: Up to 5 years (family members cannot accompany).
👉 Click here to learn how to apply for SSW.
🎯 Key Features of the SSW Program
- Target Segment – Candidates with proven expertise or hands-on skills in designated fields.
- Japanese Language Proficiency – Essential for daily life and workplace communication.
- Required: JLPT N4 or above OR JFT-Basic A2 or above.
- Exemption: Candidates who have completed 3 years under the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP).
- Skill Standards – Applicants must clear sector-specific skill exams.
- Exemption: TITP graduates in the same sector.
🗣 Japanese Language Tests for SSW
To work under the SSW program, candidates must prove their Japanese language ability through one of the following:
1️⃣ Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)
- Requirement: N4 or higher.
- Covers: Vocabulary, grammar, reading, and listening comprehension.
- Schedule: First Sunday of July and December every year.
- Test Sites in India: New Delhi, Pune, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Santiniketan, Karur.
👉 Read more about JLPT here
2️⃣ Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese (JFT-Basic)
- Requirement: A2 or higher.
- Covers: Script & vocabulary, expressions, listening, and reading comprehension.
- Schedule: Multiple times a year via Prometric.
👉 Check JFT-Basic details here
🏭 Industries Covered Under SSW
The SSW program allows candidates to work across 12 designated sectors:
- Nursing Care
- Building Cleaning Management
- Machine Parts & Tooling / Industrial Machinery / Electronics
- Construction Industry
- Shipbuilding & Ship Machinery
- Automobile Repair & Maintenance
- Aviation Industry
- Accommodation Industry
- Agriculture
- Fishery & Aquaculture
- Manufacture of Food & Beverages
- Food Service Industry
👉 Explore sector-specific job roles and tests here.
📋 Sector-Specific Skill Tests
Apart from language proficiency, candidates must clear domain-specific skill exams.
- Nursing Care: Bathing, feeding, recreation, and functional support.
- Construction: Civil engineering, building, infrastructure facilities.
- Agriculture: Crop farming, livestock management.
- Food & Beverages: Processing, safety, and quality control.
- Food Service: Restaurant operations, customer service.
Each sector has its own testing organization and sample papers. For example:
- Nursing Care Sample Paper: Download here
- Agriculture Learning Textbooks: Access here
- Food Service Industry Resources: Check here
✨ Why Should Indian Youth Consider SSW?
✅ Legal and structured pathway to work abroad.
✅ Opportunities in high-demand industries.
✅ Gain international work experience in one of the world’s most innovative countries.
✅ Skill growth + cultural exchange.
📌 Final Thoughts
The Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) program is more than just a visa—it’s a golden opportunity for Indian youth to work, learn, and grow in Japan. With Japan opening doors to skilled professionals across 12 industries, now is the right time to prepare, upgrade your skills, and take the first step towards a global career.
👉 Stay updated with skillspeaks.com for the latest guides, exam resources, and career tips to succeed in Japan’s SSW program.
