Employment for Skill Development (育成就労, Ikusei Shuro), the new system replacing Technical Intern Training, is scheduled to take effect on 1 April 2027. Its purpose is to develop and secure human resources in sectors facing labour shortages. As of July 2026, the Immigration Services Agency (ISA) is progressively publishing guidelines and sector-specific operational guidance ahead of the system coming into force.
- Effective date: 1 April 2027 — Under the amended law enacted in June 2024, the Technical Intern Training system will be phased out and succeeded by the newly created Employment for Skill Development system, which aims to develop human resources and secure workers in sectors facing labour shortages.
- Transfer is possible if requirements are met — A worker may transfer to a different employer at their own request, provided they have exceeded the minimum period of employment with their current accepting organisation (the "transfer restriction period", set for each sector at between one and two years) and have passed examinations such as the Skills Test at Basic level or above and a Japanese-language test equivalent to A1 or above. On costs, one of the requirements is that the receiving employer must pay the previous employer a certain amount towards the initial costs it incurred in accepting the worker.
- Strengthened independence and accountability for Supervising Support Organisations — Under a framework designed to enhance independence and neutrality, including through the appointment of external auditors, Supervising Support Organisations will be responsible for international matching, supervision and guidance of accepting organisations, and the support and protection of workers under the Employment for Skill Development system.
- Operational guidelines being published sector by sector — Operational guidelines and Q&As for each Employment for Skill Development industrial sector — including nursing care, construction, agriculture and food service — are being continuously updated and published, and procedures such as applications for Supervising Support Organisation authorisation are also being rolled out progressively over the course of 2026 (as of July 2026; subject to change).
As further details of the system are expected to be updated over time, companies considering accepting workers under it should continue to check the latest information published by the Immigration Services Agency.
JAPAN POLARIS supports the recruitment and acceptance of foreign workers, including under the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) status. For advice on preparing for the transition to the new system, please see our Recruitment Support Service.
Source: Overview of the Employment for Skill Development System and Related Laws | Immigration Services Agency / Employment for Skill Development System Q&A | Immigration Services Agency
