On March 11, 2025 (Reiwa 7), a Cabinet decision was made to revise the operational policies of the Specified Skilled Worker system.

This revision expands the employment scope of foreign workers under the Specified Skilled Worker visa in three fields: nursing care, industrial manufacturing, and food service.

This article details these changes and the relaxation of interview obligations for companies hiring foreign workers under this system.

1. Key Changes by Field

(1) Nursing Care Field

Foreign workers under the Specified Skilled Worker visa can now engage in home-visit care services, which were previously not permitted.

Until now, their work was mainly restricted to care facilities.

With this revision, they will be allowed to provide in-home care services.

However, the following conditions must be met for foreign workers to engage in these services:

• Completion of a basic nursing care training course and at least one year of practical experience at a nursing care facility.
• Compliance with the following requirements by the accepting organization:
  1. 1. Conduct training on the fundamental aspects of home-visit care services for foreign care workers.
     2. Ensure that a supervisor accompanies foreign care workers for a certain period to provide necessary on-the-job training.
     3. Clearly explain the job responsibilities and confirm the worker’s understanding while creating a career development plan.
     4. Establish a consultation service to prevent harassment.
     5. Implement necessary measures, including the use of information and communication technology, to respond appropriately to emergencies in home-visit care settings.

The implementation date is April 1, 2025, for Technical Intern Trainees and sometime in April 2025 for Specified Skilled Workers.

Specific job duties include:

• Meal assistance: Visiting clients’ homes to help with meal preparation and feeding.
• Bathing assistance: Helping clients bathe safely in their own homes.
• Toileting assistance: Supporting clients with toileting and diaper changes.
• Household support: Performing cleaning, laundry, and shopping to maintain a comfortable living environment.
• Monitoring and companionship: Observing clients’ health conditions and maintaining communication to enhance their quality of life.

(2) Industrial Manufacturing Field

To facilitate the appropriate and smooth acceptance of Specified Skilled Workers, a new private organization has been established, and employers are now required to join this organization.

This aims to enhance transparency and support for foreign workers in the industrial manufacturing sector.

With this change, the range of jobs available for foreign workers has expanded. Specific job duties include:

• Manufacturing and assembling automotive parts: Producing and assembling engines and transmissions.
• Assembling and inspecting electrical and electronic devices: Working on components for smartphones, home appliances, and semiconductors.
• Precision machining: Operating lathes and milling machines for metal processing and precision parts manufacturing.
• Welding and sheet metal processing: Performing welding and press work on metal materials.
• Painting and finishing: Applying paint and surface finishing to automobiles and machinery parts.

(3) Food Service Industry

With this revision, foreign workers under the Specified Skilled Worker visa can now engage in food service jobs at hotels and inns with entertainment business licenses under the Adult Entertainment Law, which was previously prohibited.

This change is expected to promote the employment of foreign workers in the hospitality industry.

Specific job duties include:

• • Cooking: Preparing, processing ingredients, and plating dishes at restaurants and bars within hotels and inns.
  • Waitstaff (customer service): Taking orders, serving food and drinks, and clearing tables at restaurants and cafés within lodging facilities.
  •  Store management: restaurant reservations and management.

2. Relaxation of Interview Obligations for Employers

Previously, companies employing foreign workers under the Specified Skilled Worker visa were required to conduct interviews　and notification submissions three times a year.

However, under the new revision, this requirement has been reduced to once a year.

Key details of this change include:

• • Applicable Interviews: Regular interviews between company representatives and foreign workers.
  • Purpose: Ensuring proper work conditions, addressing concerns, and maintaining fair employment practices.
  • Change in Frequency: Previously required three times a year, now reduced to once a year.
  • – The frequency of notification submissions will also be changed from three times a year to once a year.

While this change reduces the burden on employers, maintaining a supportive and well-managed work environment remains essential.

Conclusion

The amendments to the Specified Skilled Worker system expand employment opportunities for foreign workers in the nursing care, industrial manufacturing, and food service industries.

Additionally, the relaxation of interview obligations eases administrative burdens on employers.

This revision marks a significant change for industries facing labor shortages and provides an excellent opportunity for businesses to utilize the Specified Skilled Worker system.

Moving forward, companies must effectively implement these changes and establish an inclusive work environment for foreign workers.

For more details, please visit the Ministry of Justice’s official website: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/03_00123.html.