On June 9, the Cabinet decided to expand the scope of “specified skilled worker No. 2,” which currently covers only two fields, to 11 fields, including agriculture and food and beverage manufacturing.

There are two types of “Specified Skilled worker” residence statuses, “Specified Skilled worker No. 1” and “Specified Skilled worker No. 2,” which began four years ago.

First, a person can work for up to five years under the “No. 1” category, and then acquire a skilled skill and pass an examination to obtain the “No. 2” category.

Once you become a No. 2,

there is no limit to the number of renewals, and you can stay in Japan virtually indefinitely. In addition, spouses and children are allowed to accompany their children, but currently only 11 people are qualified, limited to the two fields of “construction” and “shipbuilding-related” industries.

The Cabinet meeting held on June 9 approved a policy to increase the number of industries to 11 by adding 9 new industries including “agriculture” and “food and beverage manufacturing.

Of the 12 specified skill fields, the 11 fields are excluding the nursing care field.

Since the nursing care sector is already covered by the existing “nursing care” status of residence, it is now possible to aim for indefinite residence in Japan in practically all of the specified skill fields.

the Cabinet decision has been made, the actual start date and examinations will be determined as needed.

The new system will greatly improve the disadvantages of working in Japan after passing the Japanese language and technical examinations, such as the fact that the period of stay in Japan is limited to a maximum of five years and that family members cannot accompany the foreigner.

At the cabinet meeting held prior to the Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Kishida apparently stated, “In light of the serious labor shortage, I hope that you will work to further improve the environment for accepting foreign nationals so that our country can become an attractive place to work and be chosen as a destination of choice.

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Reference source: Immigration and Residence Management Agency website, “Addition of Fields Covered by Specified Technical Skill No. 2 (Cabinet Decision on June 9, 2023),”

https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/policies/ssw/03_00067.html

News source: NHK WEB, “Specified Technical Skill No. 2 for Foreign Nationals to be Expanded to 11 Fields, Including Agriculture”.
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20230609/k10014094551000.html