Graduates of Japanese universities or graduate schools with a high level of proficiency in Japanese are now allowed to work in simple labor jobs. Under the current law, those holding the residency status of "Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services" are not allowed to engage in activities primarily involving simple labor, such as general service or manufacturing work. Engaging in activities reserved for individuals with specific qualifications under the law or activities related to the adult entertainment industry is not permitted.
Key Requirements
1. academic requirement
Having graduated from a 4-year university in Japan or completed a graduate program and been awarded a degree
2. Japanese language proficiency requirement（meeting one of the following criteria）
1. Having obtained a score of N1 on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test or 480 or higher on the BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test.
2. Graduated with a major in Japanese from a university in Japan or abroad.
3. Terms of employment
1. To be employed full-time. (Part-time or temporary employment is not acceptable.)
2. To receive compensation (salary) equal to or greater than that received by Japanese employees performing the same duties.
4. Job duties involving the use of Japanese
Engaging in tasks that require smooth communication in Japanese.
5. Other job conditions
Engaging in tasks requiring broad knowledge and applied skills acquired at Japanese universities is eligible for the "Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” residency status.
Specific examples of job duties (Please note that approval by the immigration office may vary depending on the actual work situation):
| Types of work | Job duties involving the use of Japanese | The target job duties for the "Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services" residency status | Simple labor and similar work that is permitted | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | Training of on-site staff, store management | Training of on-site staff, store management | You can engage in cash register, serving, cooking assistance, dishwashing, and cleaning duties within the restaurant. However, working only in dishwashing or cleaning in the kitchen is not permitted. | |
| Accommodation business in hotels, guesthouses, and ryokans | Interpreting for foreign guests | Performing public relations duties such as establishing and updating websites in foreign languages, including translation tasks. | You can also engage in bell staff, doorman, guest room guidance, and guest room cleaning duties. However, working only in cleaning is not permitted. | |
| Taxi sightseeing business | Tour guiding with interpretation duties | Planning and devising tourist plans | It is also possible to engage in tour guiding with interpretation duties as a taxi driver, as well as vehicle maintenance and cleaning. (You can also work as a regular taxi driver.) However, working only in vehicle maintenance or cleaning is not permitted. Additionally, to drive a taxi, you need to obtain a separate Class 2 license (Road Traffic Act Article 86, Paragraph 1). | |
| Travel Agency | Planning and arranging travel | Planning and arranging travel | It is also possible to engage in duties as a driver providing transportation for travelers, including interpretation duties. | |
| Caregiving duties | Providing guidance to foreign employees or technical intern trainees. | Providing guidance to foreign employees or technical intern trainees. | It is also possible to engage in caregiving tasks using Japanese, as well as facility cleaning and caregiving driver duties. However, working only in facility cleaning or laundry tasks is not permitted. | |
| Food processing plant | Engaging in product planning and development while communicating in Japanese with other employees. | Engaging in product planning and development while communicating in Japanese with other employees. | It is also possible to work on the production line. However, simply entering the production line, receiving work instructions in Japanese, and only engaging in the instructed tasks is not permitted. | |
| Factory production line | Communicating and providing instructions to technical trainees and other foreign employees in their native language based on the work instructions received from Japanese employees. | Communicating and providing instructions to technical trainees and other foreign employees in their native language based on the work instructions received from Japanese employees. | It is also possible to work on the production line. | |
| Retail store | Conducting purchasing and product planning at a retail store | Conducting purchasing and product planning at a retail store | It is also possible to engage in customer service and sales duties while doubling as an interpreter. | |
| Convenience store | Shift management for employees, employee training, etc. | Shift management for employees, employee training, etc. | It is also possible to engage in cashier and product display duties at a convenience store. | |
Other than stated above, the possibilities extend to various industries such as agriculture, construction, metal processing plants, building maintenance, and beyond.
Even in industries where hiring foreign workers was previously considered unfeasible, skillful use of this residency status could enable foreign employment, thus expanding the pool of talent acquisition. While there may be misinformation about the approval criteria for this residency status online, in reality, it can encompass a wide range of tasks when effectively utilized.
