Ahead of its implementation on 1 April 2027, as preparations for the Employment for Skill Development (育成就労, Ikusei Shuro) programme continue, the Immigration Services Agency (ISA) published a series of materials in July 2026 for accepting organisations and supervising and supporting organisations to use in their day-to-day operations.
- On 21 July, notifications relating to the automotive maintenance sector and the timber industry sector were newly added to the "Employment for Skill Development Programme Operational Guidelines".
- On 27 July, the "Overview of the Employment for Skill Development Programme" (revised July 2026) was published.
- On 27 July, a list showing which Japanese-language institutions provide Japanese-language courses was published. The ISA explains: 「当ページでは育成就労制度における日本語教育機関の日本語講習提供可否等に関する情報を一覧表（令和８年６月時点）として掲載しています。」 ("This page lists, in table form, information on whether Japanese-language institutions provide Japanese-language courses under the Employment for Skill Development programme, as of June 2026.")
The list sorts Japanese-language institutions into three categories — accredited Japanese-language institutions offering only a "course for employment" track, accredited Japanese-language institutions more broadly, and notified Japanese-language institutions — giving accepting organisations and supervising and supporting organisations a practical reference when arranging Japanese-language instruction.
None of this changes the underlying framework of the programme, but the body of reference material accepting organisations need as they prepare for Employment for Skill Development is steadily coming together.
Source: Immigration Services Agency, "Employment for Skill Development Programme" / Immigration Services Agency, "List of Japanese-Language Course Provision by Japanese-Language Institutions"