What Are Japan's tokutei ginou(SSW) and ikusei shuro(ESD)? Differences, Eligible Industries and Transition Routes Explained

2ikusei shuro(ESD)

What is ikusei shuro(ESD)?

ikusei shuro(ESD) is a new system that starts on April 1, 2027. It replaces the Technical Intern Training Program (ginou jisshu), whose purpose was international contribution through skills transfer. The purpose of ikusei shuro(ESD) is to train people in Japan to the tokutei ginou(SSW) (i) skill level through 3 years of work, and to secure workers for industries with labor shortages.

The law that creates ikusei shuro(ESD) was officially published on June 21, 2024. ikusei shuro(ESD) covers 17 of the 19 industries of tokutei ginou(SSW); aviation and automobile transportation are not included.

Period and goal

The period is 3 years in principle. By the end, you aim to pass a skills test at the tokutei ginou(SSW) (i) level and a Japanese test at A2 level. The skills test depends on your industry: Grade 3 of the Trade Skill Test, an equivalent ikusei shuro(ESD) evaluation test, or the tokutei ginou(SSW) (i) skills evaluation test. If you do not pass, the period can be extended by up to 1 year, to 4 years in total.

Japanese-language levels

Japanese ability is measured on Japan's Reference Framework for Japanese Language Education, which is based on the CEFR. A1 is the most basic level. In official materials, A2 is also written “A2.2”, and A2.1 is a stage between A1 and A2.

• Before you start work: A1 level (for example, JLPT N5 or JFT-Basic), or completion of Japanese classes at that level. The nursing care industry requires A2.
• Within the first year: pass an A1-⁠level Japanese test and a basic skills test (this also applies if you started with Japanese classes instead of a test).
• To change employers of your own will: A2.1 level. The nursing care industry requires A2.
• By the end of ikusei shuro(ESD): A2 level, the level required for tokutei ginou(SSW) (i).
• Some jobs require higher levels, for example working as railway station staff. Check the policy for your industry.
• During the 3 years, your employer must give you the chance to take at least 100 hours of Japanese classes aimed at A2, and must pay for the classes if you take them. This does not apply if you have already passed an A2-⁠level test. The classes are given at a certified Japanese-language institution or, for now, by a registered Japanese-language teacher.

Changing employers

Under ikusei shuro(ESD), you can change employers (a “transfer”) in two ways.

• Of your own will: possible if you have worked for your current employer longer than the period set for your industry (1 or 2 years), you have passed a basic skills test and a Japanese test (usually A2.1), and you stay in the same job category. The new employer must also meet certain conditions. You cannot use a private job-placement agency or broker for the move, and a transfer of your own will is not possible once your period has been extended beyond 3 years.
• Because of unavoidable circumstances: at any time, but still within the same job category, for example if you face violence, harassment or other human-rights violations, are dismissed, are not paid, have your passport or residence card taken away, or did not have your working conditions explained in your native language.

Even in industries where the period is 2 years, an employer may set it at 1 year. Check the period written in your ikusei shuro(ESD) plan.

Protections for you

• The total fees you pay to a sending organization in your home country must not exceed 2 months of the monthly pay written in your ikusei shuro(ESD) plan.
• Your pay must be at least the same as that of a Japanese employee doing the same work.
• No one may keep your passport or residence card, force you to save money, or make you sign a contract with a penalty for quitting.
• In principle, your family cannot live with you during ikusei shuro(ESD).
• Direct employment is the rule. Dispatch-type ikusei shuro(ESD) is allowed only in agriculture and fishery.

4Industries

Which industries are covered?

As of September 25, 2026, tokutei ginou(SSW) covers 19 industries and ikusei shuro(ESD) covers 17. tokutei ginou(SSW) (ii) is available in 11 industries. The last column shows how long you must work before you can change employers of your own will under ikusei shuro(ESD).

New = added on April 1, 2026. “—” = not covered.

• New industries: linen supply, warehousing and resource circulation were added on April 1, 2026. The acceptance of workers in these industries depends on when the tests and procedures start, so check the latest information from the Immigration Services Agency.
• Food service: applications for a Certificate of Eligibility for tokutei ginou(SSW) in food service received on or after April 13, 2026 are refused, because the number of workers is close to the industry's cap of 50,000. Applications within Japan to change to this status are, in principle, refused as well (with some exceptions). Extensions of stay are handled as usual.
• Caps: the government has set a maximum number of workers for each industry. Until March 31, 2029, the totals are 805,700 for tokutei ginou(SSW) (i) and 426,200 for ikusei shuro(ESD) (1,231,900 altogether). If an industry is expected to exceed its cap, the acceptance of new workers can be suspended.

6Technical intern training

What happens to technical intern training (ginou jisshu)?

Technical intern training will end gradually as ikusei shuro(ESD) begins. According to the transitional measures published by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare:

• If you are a technical intern on April 1, 2027, you can continue your training under the “Technical Intern Training” status.
• If your training plan was approved and your Certificate of Eligibility was issued before April 1, 2027, you must enter Japan by June 30, 2027. From April 1, 2027, it is no longer possible to apply for approval of training plans for new technical interns.
• After April 1, 2027, you can still move from technical intern training (i) to (ii). To move to (iii), you must have been in (ii) for at least 1 year on April 1, 2027.
• You cannot change from technical intern training to ikusei shuro(ESD).
• The government aims to end technical intern training around March 31, 2030. After that, only ikusei shuro(ESD) will remain.