The Employment for Skill Development system, which starts on April 1, 2027 (Reiwa 9), includes a mechanism for raising the Japanese language ability of the foreign nationals themselves. At its center are Japanese language courses that the accepting company has workers take at its own expense.
So that accepting companies can arrange courses smoothly, the Immigration Services Agency of Japan has published a list of Japanese language institutions able to provide Japanese language courses (as of June, Reiwa 8). This article sets out what the Japanese language course obligation involves and how to find a course provider. For the system as a whole, please see Employment for Skill Development Starts April 1, 2027.
Sources: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, “About the List of Course Provision Status at Japanese Language Institutions (as of June, Reiwa 8)”; the same Agency, “About the Employment for Skill Development System”
The required Japanese language ability comes in 2 stages
| Timing | What is required |
|---|---|
| By the start of work | Pass a test of Japanese language ability at A1 equivalent of the “Reference Framework for Japanese Language Education,” or take an equivalent Japanese language course (A1-equivalent course) |
| By the end of the 3 years of Employment for Skill Development | Take a Japanese language course to reach the Employment for Skill Development target of A2-equivalent Japanese language ability (A2-target course) |
The “Reference Framework for Japanese Language Education” is a yardstick of Japanese language ability compiled by the Subdivision on National Language of the Council for Cultural Affairs. A1 and A2 correspond to the basic stage.
Having workers take the courses is the accepting company’s obligation
Point: The accepting company of Employment for Skill Development foreign nationals (the Employment for Skill Development implementing organization), etc. is obliged to take measures to have the workers take these Japanese language courses, including bearing the costs.
Under the Technical Intern Training system, Japanese language study centered on the post-entry course, but under Employment for Skill Development, the accepting company’s responsibility extends to having workers take courses aimed at A2 equivalent throughout the 3 years. At the stage of drawing up the Employment for Skill Development plan, you need to decide when, where, and at whose expense the courses will be taken.
Passing a Japanese language test is also a requirement when moving from Employment for Skill Development to Specified Skilled Worker (i), and when transferring at the worker’s own request. Japanese language courses are also an investment by the accepting company in developing its people and having them stay.
Japanese language institutions that can be asked to provide courses
The rule: the “course for employment” at a certified Japanese language institution
A “certified Japanese language institution” is a Japanese language institution accredited by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology under the Act on the Accreditation, etc. of Japanese Language Educational Institutions for Ensuring Proper and Reliable Implementation of Japanese Language Education. Courses are divided into the “course for study,” the “course for employment,” and the “course for daily life,” and please note that even a certified Japanese language institution may not offer a “course for employment.”
Transitional measure: courses by registered Japanese language teachers (approximately 5 years after enforcement)
Transitional measure: For the time being — approximately 5 years after the enforcement of the Employment for Skill Development Act — even courses that are not the “course for employment” at a certified Japanese language institution are accepted if they are taught by registered Japanese language teachers and meet certain requirements, such as no more than 20 students per teacher.
For this reason, it is stated that even at Japanese language institutions other than certified ones (such as “notified Japanese language institutions” designated by public notice of the Minister of Justice), registered Japanese language teachers on staff may provide Japanese language courses to Employment for Skill Development foreign nationals.
How to use the lists
On the Immigration Services Agency page, the following 3 lists are published based on the results of a survey of Japanese language institutions.
- Certified Japanese language institutions (only those with a “course for employment”)
- Certified Japanese language institutions
- Notified Japanese language institutions
The lists are reference information for accepting companies and supervising and supporting organizations when asking for courses. The content listed is the result of a survey as of June, Reiwa 8, so when actually making a request, please confirm the content, timing, and cost of the course directly with each institution.
What accepting companies should prepare now
- Look for candidate course providers Use the lists to check which are within commuting range of your workplace and whether online courses are available
- Estimate the costs For both the A1-equivalent course and the A2-target course, check the tuition and how course hours will be treated
- Reflect it in the Employment for Skill Development plan Make the timing and hours of the courses compatible with the work plan
- Decide the division of roles with the supervising and supporting organization Decide early which of you will arrange the courses
Summary
- Under Employment for Skill Development, workers must take A1 equivalent before starting work and the A2-target course within 3 years.
- Having workers take the courses is the accepting company’s obligation, and the costs are also borne by the accepting company.
- As a rule, the course provider is the “course for employment” at a certified Japanese language institution, and for approximately 5 years after enforcement, courses by registered Japanese language teachers are also accepted.
- The Immigration Services Agency has published a list of course provision status (as of June, Reiwa 8).
We explain the Employment for Skill Development system as a whole and its transitional measures in Employment for Skill Development Starts April 1, 2027, the relationship with Specified Skilled Worker in Complete Guide to the Specified Skilled Worker Visa, and acceptance in the construction field in Specified Skilled Worker in the Construction Field.
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