Specified Skilled Worker Overview of the system

On December 14, 2018, the Act amending the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Ministry of Justice Establishment Act (Act No. 102 of 2018) was promulgated. This created a new residence status, "Specified Skills." As a result, foreign workers are now able to work in 16 fields that have been identified as having serious labor shortages.

The construction industry, one of the 16 sectors, has also been plagued by a worsening labor shortage. The number of employees in the construction industry peaked at 6.85 million in 1997, and has fallen to 5.05 million as of November 2020. In the construction sector, where securing human resources is still difficult despite efforts to improve productivity and secure domestic human resources, a system has been established to accept foreign workers who have a certain level of expertise and skills and can immediately contribute to the construction industry.

In the construction industry, compared to other industries, there are more Technical Intern Training students missing, and there is a current situation where missing trainees are working at another construction site in a state of illegal employment. In addition, there are concerns that if rival companies hire foreigners as cheap labor, it will distort the fair competition environment among construction companies, so it is necessary for the industry to firmly establish rules for wages, social insurance, and health and safety to eliminate companies that do not abide by the rules.

In response to these problems, in the construction field, companies that accept Specified Skilled Worker are required to prepare an acceptance plan and obtain certification from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism before obtaining a status of residence from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, and even after certification, they must obtain confirmation from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism or the Appropriate Employment Supervision Agency regarding the implementation status of the certification plan.

With the establishment of this system, it is now possible to have employees work as a force for companies for a total of five years after completing the Technical Intern Training (ii) and other degrees. In addition, returning Technical Intern Training graduates can now be re-recruited and directly employed.

In addition, if you gain a certain amount of practical experience as a team leader or foreman and pass the "The Specified Skills (ii) Evaluation Exam for Construction Industry" or the "Level 1 Skills Test," you will meet the requirements for Specified Skilled Worker (ii) residence status. If you receive permission for Specified Skilled Worker (ii), there is no limit to the renewal of your period of stay, and you will be able to bring your dependent spouse and children with you. A system is being put in place that allows foreigners working in the construction industry to plan their life plans in Japan and work long term.