This page provides information useful for choosing a job, such as job types available in railway, job duties, required Japanese language ability, skills exams, and the current number of workers.
The railway field accepts foreign workers for track, electrical equipment, rolling stock, station, and transport-related work that supports safe railway operation. Railways place especially high importance on safety, so not only job knowledge but also understanding instructions in Japanese and safety checks are important.
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, 54 people are working under Specified Skilled Worker (i) in the “Railway” field. Railway is a new field added in 2024, and the number of foreign residents under Specified Skilled Worker (i) was 54 as of the end of December 2025. It has increased from 21 in the previous period, but acceptance is still in the early stage because the system is new.
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 “Railway,” workers can engage in track maintenance, electrical equipment maintenance, rolling stock maintenance, rolling stock manufacturing, and transport staff duties.
Main Jobs in Railway
Work related to checking, repairing, and replacing rails, sleepers, track beds, safety devices, and more.
Work to check and maintain railway electrical equipment, such as power line equipment, signal equipment, and communication equipment.
Work to inspect, check, repair, and replace parts of railway vehicles.
Work to manufacture, assemble, process, and inspect railway vehicles and parts.
Work related to passenger guidance and railway operation, such as station staff, conductors, and drivers. High Japanese ability and safety check ability are required.
Check the latest information from the responsible ministry and test organization for details on the work and acceptance conditions.
source : Official Information（https://www.mlit.go.jp/tetudo/tetudo_fr7_000056.html）
2-2 Differences by work category
In the railway field, there are categories such as track maintenance, electrical equipment maintenance, rolling stock maintenance, rolling stock manufacturing, and transport staff. Transport staff are involved in passenger guidance and train operation, so Japanese guidance and confirmation ability is more important than in other categories.
2-3 Knowledge and Japanese needed for work
In the railway field, Japanese is needed for safety checks, inspections, signals, electrical equipment, rolling stock, passenger guidance, emergency response, reports, and communication. Because safety is especially important in railways, the ability to avoid misunderstanding instructions is important.
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
Railway companies and related companies may have early morning, late-night, and rotating shifts. Work styles differ depending on the work location, such as stations, train depots, tracks, and factories.
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, work location, rotating shifts, night shifts, training system, qualification support, dormitory, commuting method, safety training, and whether customer service or guidance in Japanese is required.
4-1 First, check the Japanese language test needed for your field.
To obtain Specified Skilled Worker status for “Railway,” you must pass a Japanese language test and the Railway Field Specified Skilled Worker (i) Evaluation Test for your desired job category.
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 Railway Field SSW (i) Evaluation Test is held by work category, such as track maintenance, electrical equipment maintenance, rolling stock maintenance, rolling stock manufacturing, and transport staff. The test organization and application method differ by category, so check information from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and each test organization.
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.