News

OTIT has updated its lists of accredited sending organisations for Technical Intern Training, removing 10 organisations in Mongolia and 3 in Indonesia.

OTIT has begun publishing sector-specific operational guidelines for the Employment for Skill Development programme, covering railways, the food service industry, and building cleaning and linen supply in quick succession.

Hokkaido and Sapporo are offering a run of free summer support for companies employing foreign nationals and for foreign residents themselves, including a labour-management training course and expert consultation sessions.

The Immigration Services Agency has published a draft cabinet order setting out proposed fee amounts for residence procedures and opened a public comment period, though the figures are not yet finalised.

A Ministry of Justice task force has published a report on a possible new Japanese-language and everyday-life learning programme for mid- to long-term residents, including a proposal — still under consideration — to factor completion into future permanent residence reviews.

Japan signed bilateral memoranda of cooperation on the Employment for Skill Development programme (launching April 2027) with Thailand and then Uzbekistan, aimed at worker protection and proper implementation.

ISA updated its FAQ to clarify that, until three years after enforcement (16 October 2028), a renewal will not be refused solely for failing to meet the new capital/investment standards.

From 14 June, Japan began operating the Specified Residence Card (integrating the residence card and My Number card), with regional immigration bureaus accepting issuance applications from 15 June.

The amended Immigration Control Act was promulgated on 5 June 2026, creating JESTA and raising the statutory ceiling on residence-procedure fees; the actual amounts are still out for public comment (targeting an October 2026 start).

MHLW revised its foreign worker employment management guidelines (Notification No. 227), with the effort obligation on Japanese-language learning support and other measures phasing in from 14 June.

Sapporo City launched a retention-support programme for SMEs hiring a Specified Skilled Worker foreign national for the first time, while Hokkaido offers up to ¥200,000 in incentives for employment in labour-shortage occupations.

ISA added labour/social insurance records and tax certificates, among other attachments, to the SSW periodic report, with a grace period allowing certain certificates to be submitted after 31 May.

From April 2026, Specified Skilled Worker periodic reports move from quarterly to once a year, due by 31 May. ISA has published three explainer videos for the online e-notification system.

Japan's ISA has posted the operational guidelines for the new Employment for Skill Development system as of 6 April 2026, with several items still to be released when preparation is complete.

Japan's Immigration Services Agency reports 4,125,395 foreign residents at end-2025, a 9.5% year-on-year rise. Specified Skilled Worker holders jumped by 105,830 to reach 390,296.

Japan plans to introduce the Employment for Skill Development System as a new framework replacing the Technical Intern Training Programme. This article outlines the policy direction based on government information.

Administrative procedures for international graduates changing their residence status from student to work‑related visa categories have been simplified in certain cases. This article summarises the key points based on government information.

Administrative procedures and notification requirements under Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker system have been updated to improve efficiency. This article summarises the key points.

Japan's Technical Intern Training Programme is to be replaced by the Employment for Skill Development System, scheduled to begin on 1 April 2027. Key application windows for supervising support organisations and host companies are outlined.

Japan's Immigration Services Agency runs a concentrated application window for international graduates switching from student visa to work-related residence status. Key dates, eligibility, and what to prepare.

Certain residence-status notifications, such as changing employer, leaving an organisation, or graduating from an educational institution, may be submitted to the Immigration Services Agency online and are generally due within 14 days.

Introduced in April 2019, the Specified Skilled Worker status of residence allows foreign nationals to work in designated sectors of Japan facing labour shortages, under employment contracts with Japanese companies and with support from registered support organisations.