Effective April 2019, the new specified skills visa will be implemented in Japan as a solution to the ongoing workforce crisis. That implies that there will be a significant increase in demand for foreign workers approximately to 345,150 from April 2019 up to the year 2024. This means that the new specified skills visa will greatly impact the company/ business production with their financial growth. On the other hand, this also means more chances of employment for foreign skilled workers and professionals who want to work in Japan.

The skill level and the Japanese language skill level will be tested based on the standards that the industry group of each job type requires from the country. A Japanese language proficiency test and a Japanese language nursing evaluation test (Nursing care only), determines the level of Japanese competence of the person. As a matter of principle, the Japanese Language Proficiency Test standard is N4 level.

各職種の業界団体が国に要求する基準に基づいて、技能レベルと日本語能力レベルをテストします。日本語能力試験と日本語看護評価試験（介護のみ）で、その人の日本語能力のレベルを判定します。

Those who successfully complete Technical Intern Training No. 2 will be exempted from examinations related to Japanese language ability and technical level required to obtain the status of residence.

技能実習生第2号を修了した方は、在留資格取得のための日本語能力および技術水準に関する試験が免除されます。

In addition, a person who entered Japan as a candidate for an EPA certified care worker and has been appropriately engaged in employment and training as a candidate for an EPA certified care worker for four years, will also be exempted from a skill test and a Japanese language test, etc., as long as they meet the required skill level and Japanese language proficiency level.

また、EPA認定介護福祉士候補者として日本に入国し、4年間EPA認定介護福祉士候補者として適切に雇用・訓練に従事してきた方も、必要な技能レベルと日本語能力を満たしていれば、技能試験や日本語試験などが免除されます。

POLO Tokyo Guidelines for the Workers ' Deployment in Japan, under Specified Skilled Workers ' Visa 1 & 2

ポロ東京 ガイドライン「特定技能労働者」ビザ1・2での日本への派遣について

• In addition to the requirements of the Japanese language to apply for the visa status, You must have a certain level of industry-specific skills.
• 在留資格の申請には、日本語の要件に加えて、一定レベルの業界固有のスキルが必要です。
• You are not permitted to bring your family with you.
• ご家族を連れてくることはできません。
• You can stay in Japan for a maximum of five years under the “Specified Skills No. 1” visa status.
• 特定技能1号」の在留資格では、最長5年間の滞在が可能です。
• It’s possible to switch to the “Specified Skills No. 2” visa from the Specified Skills No. 1 visa, if you have obtained a higher level of specialization during your stay in Japan.
• 日本滞在中に、より高度な専門性を身につけた場合、特定技能1号ビザから特定技能2号ビザへの切り替えが可能です
• It’s possible to switch to from the Technical Intern Training visa status to the Specified Skills No. 1 visa if you meet all the eligibility requirements.
• 資格要件をすべて満たしていれば、「技能実習生」の在留資格から「特定技能1号」の在留資格に変更することができます。

• You must have an additional level of specialization. Workers staying in Japan on the “Specified Skills No. 1” visa can apply for the “Specified Skills No. 2” visa if they attain higher level specialization in their field.
• さらに高度な専門性を身につける必要があります。特定技能1号」の在留資格で日本に滞在している方が、さらに高度な専門性を身につけた場合、「特定技能2号」の在留資格を申請することができます。
• Indefinite length of stay in Japan is possible. This is a significant difference from the “Specified Skills No. 1” visa. In principle, workers staying in Japan on the “Specified Skills No. 2” visa may be able to continuously renew their visa status, essentially giving them a way to stay in Japan indefinitely.
• 日本での無期限の滞在が可能です。この点は、「特定技能1号」ビザとの大きな違いです。特定技能2号」で日本に滞在する労働者は、原則として在留資格を継続して更新することができ、実質的には無期限に日本に滞在することができます。
• You are able to bring your family with you. The “Specified Skills No. 2” visa status allows workers to bring family members with them to Japan.
• 家族を連れてくることができます。特定技能2号」の在留資格では、労働者が家族を連れて来日することができます。

Learning the Japanese language is indeed important.

1. You will be working in a Japanese speaking environment where the majority of the Japanese people do not speak your native language nor English.
2. Collaboration with co-workers is impossible if lacking in communication particularly those highly skilled people like engineers.
3. It is unlikely to understand the culture without knowing the language. So, culture and language are always connected.
4. One of the most important requirements when getting a specific skills visa(JLPT N4).

• Establishment of status of residence Specific Skills
• Applicable laws and regulations
• Specific skill management points, various styles, etc.
• About Nursing care of Specified Skills

Japanese language proficiency levels must pass the Japan Foundation Basic Tests for Japanese Language Foundation or the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (N4 or higher).

日本語能力のレベルは、国際交流基金の日本語基礎試験または日本語能力試験（N4以上）に合格していること。

• Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese
• 国際交流基金の日本語基礎試験

The Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese is a test that the Japan Foundation develops and conducts to determine the basic level of Japanese language ability required for acceptance as a Specific Skill No. 1. Those who pass this exam will be evaluated as having a basic level of Japanese language proficiency, as they will be able to speak everyday to some extent and be recognized as having the level of ability to live without any problems.

国際交流基金 基礎日本語テスト」は、特定技能1号として認められるために必要な日本語能力の基礎レベルを判定するために、国際交流基金が開発・実施している試験です。この試験に合格した方は、ある程度の日常会話ができ、問題なく生活できるレベルの日本語能力を持っていると評価されます。

Test result notification
On the test day: The overall score and the judgment result are displayed on the screen at the end of the test.
Within 2 weeks after taking the exam: You will receive a formal result notification form (PDF with face photo) by email.

テスト結果通知
テスト当日。試験終了時に、総合得点と判定結果を画面に表示します。
試験を受けてから2週間以内 正式な結果通知書（顔写真付きPDF）をメールでお送りします。

• Nursing care skills evaluation test and nursing care Japanese language evaluation test
• Agriculture skill assessment test
• Automobile repair  and maintenance field specified skills evaluation test
• Accommodation business
• Food service industry skill test

• 介護技術評価試験、介護日本語評価試験
• 農業技能評価試験
• 自動車修理と整備分野特定技能評価試験
• 宿泊事業
• 外食産業技能検定