Q&A
05. Specified Skills Employment Contracts and Remuneration

The accepting company must use the "Advance Explanation of Important Points Regarding the Employment Contract" to explain the expected remuneration to be paid to Specified Skilled Worker (i) and the details of the work in advance in a language that the worker can fully understand, and must confirm that the worker understands the important points. This explanation of important points can also be done via video call, etc.

It is available on the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism website.
​ ​Please refer to the "Forms of documents required for online applications" on the "Application guide, forms, and system operation instructions [Specified Skills Program (Construction Sector)]" page.
Please note that we have provided sample text in both the native language and Japanese for explanations to foreign visitors.

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Application guide, forms, system operation instructions [Specified Skills System (Construction sector)]

When concluding Specified Skills employment contract, it is necessary to "stablely pay Specified Skilled Worker (i) least the same amount of remuneration as a Japanese national with equivalent skills would receive in the same employment, and to provide salary increases in line with the person's skill proficiency, and this must be clearly stated in Specified Skills employment contract."

In the construction industry, the system for specified skilled workers requires that Specified Skilled Worker (i) receive stable remuneration, so that their remuneration does not fluctuate depending on the workload, that is, that they be paid a stable monthly amount agreed upon in advance with the foreign worker under a "monthly salary system." Even if other employees employed by the accepting company are not paid on a monthly salary basis, Specified Skilled Worker (i) are required to be paid on a monthly salary basis.

The period of stay for Specified Skilled Worker (i) is limited to a total of not more than 5 years, and they can work within this period. Therefore, it is necessary to give them a raise in salary according to their years of work experience and their proficiency in skills, such as the acquisition of qualifications. The expected amount of the raise, etc. must be written in advance in Specified Skills worker employment contract and the construction Specified Skills acceptance plan.

The review will also include regular allowances, which are paid unconditionally and on a monthly basis.