The Ikusei Shuro Program (Skilled Worker Development System) was established under the amendment to the Immigration Control Act and related laws promulgated in June 2024 (Reiwa 6), and will come into effect on April 1, 2027. It succeeds and fundamentally transforms the Technical Intern Training Program, with the explicit aim of developing and securing human resources in sectors facing labor shortages in Japan. The program is designed to develop workers with skills at the Specified Skilled Worker (Type 1) level through three years of employment, while also securing a workforce for the relevant sectors.
What is the Ikusei Shuro Program?
The Ikusei Shuro Program accepts foreign nationals for a period of principally three years in Ikusei Shuro industrial sectors (sectors within specified industrial fields where it is appropriate to have workers acquire skills through employment), and develops their technical skills and Japanese language ability through OJT (On-the-Job Training). After completing the program, those who meet requirements such as passing required examinations can transition to Specified Skilled Worker (Type 1) status and continue working for up to an additional five years. The program is designed with a career pathway in mind, including the possibility of transitioning to Specified Skilled Worker (Type 2) or even permanent residence.
- Purpose: Development and securing of human resources in labor-shortage sectors. To build a clear and accessible system that properly protects the rights of foreign workers while allowing them to build careers in Japan.
- Implementation date: April 1, 2027 (Reiwa 9). Pre-implementation applications (for approval of Supervisory Support Organizations, etc.) are scheduled to be accepted from April 15, 2026 (Reiwa 8); pre-implementation applications for Ikusei Shuro Plan certification are scheduled to be accepted from September 1, 2026 (Reiwa 8).
- Projected number of accepted workers: The projected number is set for each sector in the sector-specific operational guidelines and serves as an upper limit for acceptance. Approximately 426,200 Ikusei Shuro foreign workers are expected by the end of Fiscal Year 2028 (approximately 1.23 million combined with Specified Skilled Workers).
Key Features of the Ikusei Shuro Program
- Period of stay: Principally three years. In cases of examination failure, a stay extension of up to one year may be permitted for re-examination purposes.
- Job transfer: While the Technical Intern Training Program generally prohibited employer changes at the worker's own request, the Ikusei Shuro Program permits job transfers at the worker's own discretion within the same job category under certain conditions (expiration of the transfer restriction period, attainment of a certain level of technical skills and Japanese language proficiency, the new employer being a qualified Ikusei Shuro implementing organization, etc.).
- Supervisory Support Organizations: Supervisory Support Organizations (監理支援機関) will be established under an approval system to replace supervisory organizations. Approval criteria are more stringent, requiring the appointment of external auditors, prohibition of net debt, and a minimum number of full-time officers and staff.
- Ikusei Shuro Plan: An "Ikusei Shuro Plan" is prepared for each foreign national and must receive approval from the Organization for Technical Intern Training (OTIT). The plan includes the development period (within 3 years), development goals (tasks, technical skills, Japanese language ability, etc.).
- Improvement of sending mechanisms: Creation of Bilateral Arrangements (MOCs) with sending countries, and introduction of a mechanism to prevent excessively high fees paid to sending organizations.
- Japanese language requirements: Before entering Japan, applicants must pass a Japanese language test equivalent to level A1 (JLPT N5 or equivalent) or complete an equivalent Japanese language course. Through the program, the goal is to reach level A2 (N4 or equivalent) or higher, aiming for the proficiency level required for transition to Specified Skilled Worker (Type 1).
Eligible Sectors and Job Categories
The Ikusei Shuro Program accepts workers in Ikusei Shuro industrial sectors — limited to specified industrial fields where it is appropriate to have workers acquire skills through employment. These are defined in the sector-specific operational guidelines (approved by the Cabinet in January 2026) and include multiple sectors and job categories such as agriculture, fisheries, construction, food manufacturing, nursing care, and food service. Some occupations that were eligible for transition to Technical Intern Training Level 2 (e.g., general household laundry work, airport ground handling, boiler maintenance) are excluded from the Ikusei Shuro industrial sectors. For details, please refer to the List of Specified Industrial Fields, Ikusei Shuro Industrial Fields, and Job Categories (PDF) and the Immigration Services Agency of Japan "Ikusei Shuro Program".
Comparison: Technical Intern Training, Ikusei Shuro, and Specified Skilled Worker Programs
The Ikusei Shuro Program was established in response to the gap between the stated purpose of the Technical Intern Training Program (skills transfer for international contribution) and its actual practice (securing and developing workers domestically), as well as issues with the protection of foreign workers such as restrictions on job transfers. The Technical Intern Training and Ikusei Shuro programs serve as a route to Specified Skilled Worker status through "development," while Specified Skilled Worker is a system that directly accepts ready-to-work individuals who have demonstrated their skills through examinations. The table below outlines the key differences.
| Comparison Item | Technical Intern Training | Ikusei Shuro Program | Specified Skilled Worker |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | International contribution through human resource development via skills acquisition (legally stipulated not to be a means of securing labor) | Explicitly aimed at developing and securing human resources in labor-shortage sectors | Securing ready-to-work human resources in labor-shortage sectors. Direct acceptance of those who meet skill requirements through examinations, etc. |
| Period of Stay | Up to 5 years (Level 1: 1 year, Level 2: 2 years, Level 3: 2 years; plan certified at each stage) | Principally 3 years (a single Ikusei Shuro Plan covering the full 3 years is certified at once) | Type 1: Cumulative 5 years. Type 2: No upper limit on period of stay (renewable, with a path to permanent residence) |
| Job Transfer | Generally not permitted (exceptions only for unavoidable circumstances) | Job transfers at the worker's own discretion permitted within the same job category under certain conditions. Transfers due to unavoidable circumstances also continue to be possible. | Type 1: Transfer permitted within the same field/job category (based on support plan). Type 2: Greater freedom of job change (no support required) |
| Eligible Workers | By occupation and task type for Technical Intern Training Level 2 transition-eligible occupations (approx. 90 occupations, etc.) | Limited to Ikusei Shuro industrial sectors and job categories (specified industrial fields where skills acquisition through employment is appropriate) | Those who have passed technical and Japanese language examinations for each job category in specified industrial fields (14 fields). Those who have completed Technical Intern Training Level 2 may in some cases obtain Type 1 status without examination. |
| Supervisory Structure | Supervisory organizations (approval system) oversee the training | Supervisory Support Organizations (approval system). More stringent approval criteria: appointment of external auditors, prohibition of net debt, minimum full-time staff, etc. | Type 1: Support by Registered Support Organizations is required (notification system). Type 2: No support required |
| Plans | Technical Intern Training Plans (certified at each stage: Level 1, 2, and 3) | Ikusei Shuro Plan (certified in a single batch for all 3 years; certified by the Organization for Technical Intern Training) | Type 1: Support Plan (prepared and implemented by Registered Support Organizations). Type 2: No support plan required |
| Transition to Specified Skilled Worker | Those who have satisfactorily completed Technical Intern Training Level 2 may transition to Specified Skilled Worker Type 1 without examination (depending on field) | Designed with the premise of developing workers to the Specified Skilled Worker Type 1 level. Transition upon passing the Level 3 Skill Test or Specified Skilled Worker Type 1 Evaluation Test, and a Japanese language test at A2 level or equivalent. | N/A (already holds Specified Skilled Worker status). Transition from Type 1 to Type 2 is possible upon passing field-specific examinations, etc. |
| Sending Mechanism | Acceptance mainly through sending organizations. No upper limit on fees stipulated by the system. | Creation of Bilateral Arrangements (MOCs) with sending countries; introduction of a mechanism to prevent excessively high fees paid to sending organizations. | Acceptance from sending countries based on Bilateral Arrangements in principle. Transition by those already in Japan (e.g., completed Technical Intern Training Level 2), and direct recruitment from overseas are also possible. |
| Form of Acceptance | Company-sponsored type / Organization-supervised type | Independent Ikusei Shuro (without Supervisory Support Organizations) / Supervised Ikusei Shuro (with Supervisory Support Organizations involved) — two forms | Type 1: Employment with support from Registered Support Organizations. Type 2: Employment under a standard employment contract (no support required) |
Those who are already in Japan as technical intern trainees at the time of enforcement (April 1, 2027), or those for whom a Technical Intern Training Plan certification application was submitted before the enforcement date and who are scheduled to begin technical intern training within a certain period, may continue their technical intern training under transitional provisions. New entry into Japan as a "technical intern trainee" will not be possible after enforcement, but those who have received approval of an Ikusei Shuro Plan may in some cases enter Japan as Ikusei Shuro foreign workers.
Reference Links
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan "Ikusei Shuro Program"
- Ikusei Shuro Program Q&A (Immigration Services Agency of Japan)
- Overview of the Ikusei Shuro Program (Revised December 2025) (PDF)
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare "Overview of Technical Intern Training and Specified Skilled Worker Programs" (PDF)
- Organization for Technical Intern Training "Ikusei Shuro Program" Related Pages
For details on the program, application procedures, and the latest information, please refer to the announcements of the official institutions listed above. For inquiries and consultations regarding applications and status of residence, please feel free to contact us.
