Job Introduction － Industrial Product Manufacturing
This page provides information useful for choosing a job, such as job categories available in industrial product manufacturing, annual income by job type, the current number of workers, and job details.
Index
- 1. What is Industrial Product Manufacturing under Specified Skilled Worker?
- 1-1 Background
- Information for People Working with Specified Skilled Worker Status
- Differences Between Technical Intern Training and Specified Skilled Worker
- 2. Job description
- 3. Work style and salary
- 3-1 How to read salary and take-home pay
- 3-2 Working hours, work location, and shifts
- Things to Check Before Applying
- 4. Required Exams and Qualifications
- 5. Things to Check Before Applying
1. What work in this field means
1-1 Background
The industrial product manufacturing 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 workers in this field 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, 2,585 people work in the industrial product manufacturing field under Specified Skilled Worker status. By region, most workers are from Asia, with Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Myanmar being the top countries of origin.
Although the Specified Skilled Worker system began in 2019, the number of people working in industrial product manufacturing under this status has increased by about 2.5 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）
1-3 Differences Between Technical Intern Training and Specified Skilled Worker
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 very different.
The Technical Intern Training Program aims to help young people from developing countries acquire Japanese technical skills and contribute to the development of their home countries after returning. Its main purpose is skill acquisition, and it is positioned as training rather than labor. Therefore, job changes are not allowed, and the maximum period is five years.
On the other hand, the Specified Skilled Worker System was established to help address Japan's labor shortage. There are Specified Skilled Worker (i) and (ii), and the system accepts foreign workers as job-ready workers. Job changes are possible, and under Specified Skilled Worker (ii), bringing family members and obtaining permanent residency may also be possible. Tests to prove skills and Japanese language ability are required, and people with practical experience may have an advantage.
In addition, foreign nationals who have completed technical intern training can transition to the Specified Skilled Worker System. Experience gained through technical intern training is recognized, and some tests for Specified Skilled Worker (i) may be exempted, making the transition relatively smooth. This allows them to continue working in Japan for a longer period as Specified Skilled Workers after completing technical intern training, expanding opportunities for job changes and career advancement.
2. Job description
2-1 Job Description
Specified Skilled Worker “Industrial Product Manufacturing” includes 10 categories: Machining and Metal Processing, Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assembly, Metal Surface Treatment, Paperboard and Corrugated Box Manufacturing, Concrete Product Manufacturing, RPF Manufacturing, Ceramic Product Manufacturing, Printing and Bookbinding, Textile Product Manufacturing, and Sewing.
Machining and Metal Processing
Casting / Forging / Die Casting / Machining / Metal Press Processing / Ironwork / Factory Sheet Metal / Finishing / Plastic Molding / Machine Inspection / Machine Maintenance / Electrical Equipment Assembly / Painting / Welding / Industrial Packaging / Reinforced Plastic Molding / Metal Heat Treatment
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assembly
Machining / Finishing / Plastic Molding / Printed Circuit Board Manufacturing / Electronic Equipment Assembly / Electrical Equipment Assembly / Machine Inspection / Machine Maintenance / Industrial Packaging / Reinforced Plastic Molding
Metal Surface Treatment
Plating / Aluminum Anodizing
Paperboard and Corrugated Box Manufacturing
Paperboard and Corrugated Box Manufacturing
Concrete Product Manufacturing
Concrete Product Manufacturing
RPF Manufacturing
RPF Manufacturing
Ceramic Product Manufacturing
Ceramic Industrial Product Manufacturing
Printing and Bookbinding
Printing / Bookbinding
Textile Product Manufacturing
Spinning Operation / Weaving Operation / Dyeing / Knitwear Manufacturing / Warp-knitted Fabric Manufacturing / Carpet Manufacturing
Sewing
Women's and Children's Clothing Manufacturing / Men's Clothing Manufacturing / Underwear Manufacturing / Bedding Production / Canvas Product Manufacturing / Woven Fabric Sewing / Seat Cover Sewing
2-2 Differences by work category
Specified Skilled Worker “Industrial Product Manufacturing” includes 10 categories: Machining and Metal Processing, Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assembly, Metal Surface Treatment, Paperboard and Corrugated Box Manufacturing, Concrete Product Manufacturing, RPF Manufacturing, Ceramic Product Manufacturing, Printing and Bookbinding, Textile Product Manufacturing, and Sewing.
2-3 Knowledge and Japanese needed for work
At manufacturing sites, Japanese is needed for machine operation, part names, tool names, inspection, defective products, dimensions, packaging, safety devices, stop buttons, abnormality reports, and similar items. In line work, it is important to understand work procedures and quality checks accurately.
3. Work style and salary
3-1 How to read salary and take-home pay
The average monthly payment for SSW Industrial Product Manufacturing workers in 2021 was ¥240,641. 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.
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
Factory work may include daytime work, night shifts, rotating shifts, line work, and standing work. Depending on the product and process, there may be noise, heat, smells, and heavy materials.
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 the work category, products being manufactured, whether the work is line work, rotating shifts, night shifts, overtime, dormitory fees, work clothes, safety training, and qualification support.
4. Required Exams and Qualifications
4-1 First, check the Japanese language test needed for your field.
To obtain Specified Skilled Worker status for “Industrial Product Manufacturing,” you must pass both a Japanese language test and a skills exam.
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 Manufacturing Field SSW Evaluation Test is held for each work category in the industrial product manufacturing field. From fiscal year 2026, JAIM is the test organization for the Manufacturing Field SSW (i) and (ii) Evaluation Tests. Check the JAIM portal site for detailed test information.
5. Things to Check Before Applying
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.