This page provides information useful for choosing a job, such as job types available in forestry, job duties, required Japanese language ability, skills exams, and the current number of workers.
林業分野は、森林の整備、木の伐採、搬出などを行う人材を受け入れるために、2024年に特定技能へ追加された分野です。森林作業は屋外で行われ、機械、刃物、斜面、重量物を扱うため、安全衛生の理解が特に重要です。
The Immigration Services Agency regularly compiles and publishes the number of foreign nationals staying in Japan under Specified Skilled Worker status. New fields added in 2024 have only been in operation for a short time, so the number of residents is still small.
As of the end of December 2025, 0 people are working under Specified Skilled Worker (i) in the “Forestry” field. Forestry is a new field added in 2024. As of the end of December 2025, the number of foreign residents under Specified Skilled Worker (i) is 0. It is covered by the system, but residents have not yet been confirmed. Domestic test schedules for FY2026 have been announced.
The Specified Skilled Worker system began in 2019. Automobile transportation business, railway, forestry, and wood industry were added in 2024, so the numbers may change as more tests are held, companies prepare to accept workers, and residence status applications increase.
source : 出入国在留管理庁（https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/policies/ssw/nyuukokukanri07_00215.html）
There are two systems for accepting foreign workers: the Technical Intern Training Program and the Specified Skilled Worker System, but their purposes and characteristics are different.
The Technical Intern Training Program is a system for learning technologies and skills in Japan and using them to help develop the home country after returning. In principle, changing jobs is not allowed, and the period is fixed. The program is planned to shift to the Training and Employment System, but during the transition period, you also need to check how the current system is handled.
The Specified Skilled Worker System accepts foreign workers with certain skills and Japanese language ability as job-ready workers in fields with serious labor shortages in Japan. Under Specified Skilled Worker (i), you can work for up to 5 years in total, and changing jobs is possible if conditions are met, such as staying in the same field or job category.
Automobile transportation business, railway, forestry, and wood industry, which were added in 2024, are currently covered by Specified Skilled Worker (i). They are not covered by Specified Skilled Worker (ii), so if you want long-term work, check system changes and the conditions for other residence statuses.
2-1 Job Description
Under Specified Skilled Worker “Forestry,” workers are involved in forest cultivation, timber production, and work related to forestry operations. At the worksite, workers need to understand work procedures, safety checks, and how to handle machines and tools.
Main Jobs in Forestry
Work to grow forests, such as planting seedlings, clearing undergrowth, pruning branches, and thinning trees.
Work to produce timber, such as felling standing trees, processing logs, collecting timber, and transporting it out.
Related work needed for forestry operations, such as maintaining work roads, transporting materials, checking machines and tools, and safety checks.
Check the latest information from the responsible ministry and test organization for details on the work and acceptance conditions.
source : Official Information（https://ringyou-gino.org/specific/）
2-2 Differences by work category
In forestry, workers handle forest cultivation, timber production, and work related to forest operations. Forest cultivation includes planting, underbrush cutting, pruning, and thinning. Timber production includes felling, bucking, yarding, and carrying timber out.
2-3 Knowledge and Japanese needed for work
In forestry, knowledge and Japanese related to blades, chainsaws, forestry machines, slopes, felling direction, evacuation, safety equipment, and signals are important. Because there is much dangerous work, understanding safety checks and work procedures is especially necessary.
3-1 How to read salary and take-home pay
The average wage by field for Specified Skilled Worker foreign nationals in the wood industry cannot be sufficiently confirmed from public statistics because there are still very few residents. Salary differs by factory type, region, working hours, night shifts, overtime, and machine operation experience. Under Specified Skilled Worker, pay must be equal to or higher than that of Japanese workers doing the same work. When checking jobs, check the base salary, overtime pay, shift allowance, social insurance, dormitory fees, and safety training.
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
Forestry is mainly outdoor work in mountain forests. Work styles change depending on the weather, slopes, footing, and travel time to the work site. Check work clothes, safety shoes, helmets, protective equipment, transportation support, and whether there is a dormitory.
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 there is tree felling work, whether chainsaws or machines are used, safety training, whether protective equipment is provided, travel to the work site, dormitory, and wages when work is stopped due to weather.
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.
4-2 Skills Evaluation Test
The Forestry Skills Assessment Test checks the knowledge and skills needed to work in the forestry field. Check official information from the Forestry Skills Improvement Center and similar sources for test dates, test guides, application forms, and pass announcements.
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.