1-1 Background

The fisheries industry is facing difficulty securing workers due to the declining birthrate, diversification of career choices, and other factors, and a serious labor shortage has become clear. As the average age of fisheries workers rises, it has become difficult to secure enough workers through domestic human resources alone. This system was introduced to accept foreign workers in response to this situation.

1-2 Information for People Working with Specified Skilled Worker Status

The Immigration Services Agency compiles and publishes the number of people working under Specified Skilled Worker status once every half year (once every three months until 2022). According to that data, the population ratios by country and age group are as follows.

As of the end of June 2024, 3,035 people work in the fisheries field under Specified Skilled Worker status. By region, most workers are from Asia, with Indonesia, Vietnam, and China being the top countries of origin.

Although the Specified Skilled Worker system began in 2019, the number of people working in fisheries under this status has increased by about nine times over the past three years, and the number of accepted workers is expected to continue expanding.

source : 出入国在留管理庁（https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/ssw/zairyuarchive.html）

2-1 Job Description

In the fisheries field, there are mainly two job categories: fishing and aquaculture.

Civil Engineering

• Catching fish and shellfish mainly by fishing methods, such as longline fishing, bonito pole-and-line fishing, and squid fishing
• Catching fish and shellfish mainly by methods using nets and cages, such as set net fishing, purse seine fishing, and trawl fishing
• Repairing fishing gear such as nets and cages
• Searching for fish schools using sonar and fish finders
• Operating machines used to haul nets and lines for fishing, such as net and line haulers, and automatic squid fishing machines
• Sorting, boxing, freezing, and preliminary processing of the catch
• Unloading catches, fishing gear, etc. at fishing ports

Aquaculture

• Raising fish, shellfish, algae, etc.
• Feeding farmed fish and removing dead fish, leftover feed, etc.
• Cleaning attached matter from farmed shellfish
• Harvesting farmed aquatic animals and plants and transporting them to fish markets or landing ports
• Shucking farmed shellfish
• Cleaning aquaculture ponds and nets, and managing water quality, etc.
• Constructing and repairing aquaculture rafts
• Producing and collecting seedlings and juvenile stock of farmed aquatic animals and plants, etc.

source : Immigration and Residence Management（https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/ssw/10_00179.html）

2-2 Differences by work category

Fishery is divided into catching fish and shellfish, and aquaculture, which raises fish, shellfish, seaweed, and similar products. In fishery, workers prepare fishing gear, search for fish schools, sort catches, pack them in boxes, freeze them, and unload them. In aquaculture, workers feed fish, manage water quality, manage nets and rafts, harvest, and transport products.

2-3 Knowledge and Japanese needed for work

In fishery, Japanese is needed for fishing gear, fish species, weather, marine safety, machine operation, sorting, freezing, unloading, and similar work. In aquaculture, terms related to feeding, water quality, nets, rafts, cleaning, and harvesting are also important.

3-1 How to read salary and take-home pay

The average monthly payment for SSW Fishery workers in 2021 was ¥236,634. This is the average monthly payment based on periodic reports for SSW foreign workers who stayed throughout 2021.

According to public statistics, the average monthly payment for SSW foreign workers in this field is ¥194,358. This is not take-home pay. The actual amount you receive changes depending on taxes, social insurance fees, dormitory fees, food costs, overtime pay, night shift allowance, and other items. When checking a job offer, check not only the base salary, but also the estimated take-home pay, overtime pay, dormitory fees, social insurance, and transportation costs.

For new fields or fields with few workers, field-specific average payment may not be clear enough in public materials. Check the latest salary terms in the job ad and employment contract.

source : Source: Immigration Services Agency, “Current Status of the Specified Skilled Worker System”（https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001397709.pdf）

The salary amounts above are statistical average payments or guide amounts from job conditions. They are not the actual take-home pay. Take-home pay changes depending on taxes, social insurance fees, dormitory fees, food costs, overtime pay, night shift allowance, transportation costs, and other items. Under SSW, the pay must be equal to or higher than the pay of Japanese workers doing the same job.

3-2 Working hours, work location, and shifts

Fishery may include early morning work, schedule changes due to weather, work on boats, and unloading at ports. Aquaculture also often includes outdoor work and work at sea or along the coast. Check seasickness, dormitory, days off, and work location.

3-3 Things to Check Before Applying

Before applying, check not only the monthly salary, but also the actual job content, working hours, days off, overtime pay, night shift allowance, dormitory fees, food costs, social insurance, transportation costs, qualification support, who will handle the residence status application, and the name of the registered support organization.

For job offers, check whether the job is fishery or aquaculture, whether there is work on boats, early morning work, days off due to weather, dormitory, meals, work clothes and safety equipment, and how to travel to the port or aquaculture site.

• See how to find a company and how to check job offer details

4-1 First, check the Japanese language test needed for your field.

To obtain Specified Skilled Worker status for “Forestry,” you must pass both a Japanese language test and the Forestry Skills Proficiency Test.

To work as Specified Skilled Worker (i), in principle, you need to pass a Japanese language test and a field-specific skills evaluation test. For the Japanese language test, JLPT N4 or higher, or JFT-Basic A2 or higher, is accepted. In the nursing care field, the Nursing Care Japanese Language Evaluation Test is also required. People who have successfully completed Technical Intern Training (ii) may be exempt from tests depending on the field and work content.

• View Exams Required to Obtain Specified Skilled Worker Status
• View Detailed Information about JLPT N4
• View Detailed Information about JFT-Basic A2

4-2 Skills Evaluation Test

The Fishery Skills Assessment Test is divided into fishery and aquaculture. The Japan Fisheries Association publishes study texts and sample questions for the Fishery Skills Assessment Test. Check the test information page and the official website for detailed test dates, application methods, and study materials.

• View Detailed Information about JLPT N4
• Check Official Railway Field Information

5-1 Move on to study, job search, and application

After checking the job content and required tests, next check the flow for test study, company search, and residence status application. Even if you pass the tests, you still need an employment contract with a company and a residence status application.

• Check Official Railway Field Information
• Search for Companies
• View Residence Status Application Method
• Check the Visa Application Flow