Manufacturing Sector Specified Skilled Worker evaluation test
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[Important Notice] Change of Schedule for the First No. 1 Evaluation Examination of Fiscal Year 2026
Due to the implementation of the national examination and the need to secure examination venues throughout Japan, the schedule will be changed as follows.
[Before Change]
- Exam application period:
May 14, 2026 (Thu) 10:00 - July 7, 2026 (Tue) *Excluding Myanmar
May 27, 2026 (Wed) 16:00 - July 7, 2026 (Tue) *Myanmar - Exam period: July 12th (Sun) - July 18th (Sat), 2026
[After change]
- Exam application period:
May 14, 2026 (Thu) 10:00 - July 2, 2026 (Thu) *Excluding Myanmar
May 27, 2026 (Wed) 16:00 - July 2, 2026 (Thu) *Myanmar - Exam period: July 7, 2026 (Tue) - July 13, 2026 (Mon)
[Important Notice] Main Changes to the 2026 (Reiwa 8) Grade 1 Evaluation Test
The following two points will be changed starting with the first examination of the 2026 academic year (July 7th (Tue) - July 13th (Mon)).
[Changes to examination categories]
Seven new examination categories will be added. (This will bring the total number of categories to 17.)
- Additional test categories: Electric wire and cable manufacturing, Prefabricated housing product manufacturing, Furniture manufacturing, Shaped and Monolithic Refractories, Ready-mixed concrete manufacturing, Rubber product manufacturing, Bag and Luggage Manufacturing
[Changes regarding exam time]
The examination schedule will be changed to a two-part format: a 40-minute written exam and a 40-minute practical exam.
- Both the written and practical exams will automatically end after 40 minutes.
Please note that while you may finish the written exam before the time limit, the time limit for the practical exam will not be extended. - Once you start the practical exam, you cannot go back to the written exam.
Notice
Exam Overview
Regarding the Manufacturing Sector Specified Skilled Worker evaluation test
In the Industrial product manufacturing , which is under the jurisdiction of the METI , the acceptance of "Type 1 Specified Skilled Worker" and "Type 2 Specified Skilled Worker" is progressing.
Specified Skilled Worker No. 1 are required to possess "skills that require a considerable level of knowledge or experience," and Specified Skilled Worker No. 2 are required to possess "advanced skills acquired through many years of practical experience, etc." To confirm these skill levels, the "SSW(i) Exam for Industrial Product Manufacturing(hereinafter referred to as the "No. 1 Evaluation Test")" and the "SSW(ii) Exam for Industrial Product Manufacturing(hereinafter referred to as the "No. 2 Evaluation Test")" will be conducted.
The difference between Specified Skilled Worker No. 1 and Specified Skilled Worker No. 2
| Specified Skilled Worker No. 1 | Specified Skilled Worker No. 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| overview |
Status of Residence for foreign nationals engaged in work requiring skills that necessitate a considerable degree of knowledge or experience *1 |
Status of Residence for foreign nationals engaged in work requiring advanced skills *2 |
| Period of stay |
Renewal at intervals designated by the Minister of Justice for each individual foreigner, not exceeding one year ( up to a total of 5 years ). |
Renewable every 3 years, 1 year, or 6 months ( no limit on the number of renewals ) |
| skill level |
Verification through examinations, etc. (Foreign nationals who have completed Technical Intern Training Type 2 are exempt from examinations, etc.) |
Confirmed through tests, etc. |
| Japanese language proficiency level |
Japanese language proficiency necessary for daily life and work will be confirmed through examinations, etc. (Foreign nationals who have completed Technical Intern Training Type 2 are exempt from examinations) |
No verification through tests or other means is required. |
| Estimated number of recipients (maximum) |
can be |
none |
| Family members accompanying the family |
Basically, I don't allow it. |
Possible if the requirements are met (spouse, children) |
| support |
Eligibility for support from receiving organizations or registered support organizations |
Not eligible for support from receiving organizations or registered support organizations. |
| field |
Nursing care, building cleaning, industrial product manufacturing , construction, Shipbuilding and ship machinery industry, automobile maintenance, aviation, accommodation, road transport, railways, Agriculture, Fishery & aquaculture, Manufacture of food and beverages, Food service industry, forestry, timber industry (16 sectors in total) |
Building cleaning, industrial product manufacturing , construction, Shipbuilding and ship machinery industry, automobile maintenance, aviation, accommodation, Agriculture, Fishery & aquaculture, Manufacture of food and beverages, and the Food service industry(all 11 sectors) |
- This refers to skills that require a considerable period of practical experience, etc., but that enable the user to immediately perform a certain level of work without receiving special training or instruction.
- This refers to highly skilled abilities acquired through many years of practical experience, etc., and is equivalent to or higher than the level of expertise and skills of foreigners currently holding Status of Residence in specialized and technical fields. For example, it refers to a level of skill at which one can perform highly specialized and technical tasks based on their own judgment, or to perform tasks with expert skill while supervising and overseeing work as a manager.
Details of each exam
Details of the exams can be found on the overview pages for each exam (No. 1 and No. 2).
Please check the page for the exam you plan to take.
Prevention of pull-out
While this system allows for job changes between companies and industries within the defined categories, if foreign workers are poached indiscriminately by receiving organizations, it could disrupt employment order within industries and exacerbate excessive concentration in large cities.
In light of these points, and with the aim of preventing an excessive concentration of foreigners in specific companies or metropolitan areas, we request that you refrain from actively recruiting and employing foreign workers.
Regarding the Score report of the No. 2 evaluation test
Among Specified Skilled Worker who have failed the SSW(ii) Exam for Industrial Product Manufacturing and the Business Career Qualification Test Level 3 (Production Management Planning or Production Management Operations), if they meet requirements such as achieving a score of 80% or higher above the passing mark in the SSW(ii) Exam for Industrial Product Manufacturing and the Business Career Qualification Test Level 3 (Production Management Planning or Production Management Operations), and if there are deemed to be reasonable grounds for staying in Japan for more than five years beyond the cumulative period of stay for Type 1 Specified Skilled Worker visa holders, they may stay in Japan for up to one year beyond the cumulative period of stay.
If you wish to reside in Japan under the above conditions, you will need the Score report of the SSW(ii) Exam for Industrial Product Manufacturing .
Please be sure to check the page titled " Score report for the SSW(ii) Exam for Industrial Product Manufacturing " and prepare Score report.
Exam Process
The examination procedures differ between the Level 1 and Level 2 evaluation exams.
Please check the information for the exam you will be taking.
Evaluation Test No. 1
-
STEP 1
Application for the exam
Payment of examination fee -
STEP 2
Download your exam admission ticket
-
STEP 3
Entrance Exam
-
STEP 4
Notification of test results
Evaluation Test No. 2
Those eligible to take the Level 2 evaluation test are "individuals who have at least three years of practical experience in the manufacturing field of a company with a base in Japan by the day before the test," so please submit a "Certificate of Practical Experience."
-
STEP 1
Creating a Certificate of Work Experience
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STEP 2
Apply via the dedicated form.
-
STEP 3
Issuance of eligibility confirmation number
-
STEP 4
Application for the exam
Payment of examination fee -
STEP 5
Download your exam admission ticket
-
STEP 6
Entrance Exam
-
STEP 7
Notification of test results
Related Information
Exam Implementation Information
Evaluation Test No. 1
Domestic examination
- July 7th (Tuesday) - July 13th (Monday), 2026
- Around November 2026 (planned)
- Around February 2027 (planned)
Overseas Exams
India, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar
- July 7th (Tuesday) - July 13th (Monday), 2026
- Around November 2026 (planned)
- Around February 2027 (planned)
Evaluation Test No. 2
Domestic examination
- July 29, 2026 (Wednesday) - August 1, 2026 (Saturday)
- Around November 2026 (planned)
- Around February 2027 (planned)
Obtaining an eligibility confirmation number
Those taking the Specified Skilled Worker No. 2 Evaluation Examination for the first time should prepare their "Certificate of Work Experience" as soon as possible and apply for an "Examination Eligibility Confirmation Number." Even those who took the exam in 2023 need to obtain an Examination Eligibility Confirmation Number, so please be sure to apply.
- Those who have already obtained an eligibility confirmation number for the 2024 academic year or later can reuse the same number (there is no need to apply for a new number for each exam).
Exam-related materials
This section includes examples of past exam questions and reference texts for studying.
Please feel free to use it.
Test results
This page displays the results of the Specified Skilled Worker evaluation test.
Certificate of successful examination Issuance Procedure
Those who passed the exam in fiscal year 2023 (Reiwa 5) or earlier can be issued a Certificate of successful examination.
The Certificate of successful examination can be used in various situations, such as for residence applications and employment procedures at your prospective employer, so please go through the necessary procedures if you need one.
Related Documents
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Inquiries regarding the Manufacturing Sector Specified Skilled Worker evaluation test For inquiries regarding the Specified Skilled Worker evaluation test, please contact the consultation desk.
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Frequently asked questions This page compiles frequently asked questions regarding the Specified Skilled Worker evaluation test.
