News Article

The article “[Yamagata] Two Vietnamese working at an auto repair shop pass a tough exam (2025-06-16 Yamagata Shimbun) “ is summarized below.

Nguyen Xuan Huong (34) and Chu Van Duoc (29), both from Vietnam, who work at an automobile repair factory in Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture, have passed the difficult “Specified Skills No. 2 in Automobile Repair” exam, which has a pass rate of about 30%. The two came to Japan as technical intern trainees five years ago, and their daily efforts have paid off.

This status removes restrictions on the period of stay and allows family members to accompany them. As of the end of 2024, there will be only three foreigners in the whole country with this status, and he is the first in Yamagata Prefecture.

The two have been highly praised at work, and the store manager has praised them as “the central figures supporting the store.” In a region facing issues of population decline and labor shortages, the two are expected to play an active role in the future.

The two said, “For the sake of our families, we want to live in Sakata for a long time,” and vowed to continue making further efforts.

Background and Significance

Japan introduced the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa in 2019 to address its growing labor shortages, particularly in industries requiring foreign labor. SSW is divided into two types:

  • Type 1: For individuals with basic industry-specific skills, valid up to 5 years, and family accompaniment not allowed.
  • Type 2: For highly skilled individuals with proven proficiency. This visa allows unlimited renewals and family accompaniment, making it a de facto pathway to permanent residency.

Type 2 is positioned as a long-term solution for foreign workforce integration into Japanese society.

Eligibility and Structure

To qualify for SSW Type 2, an individual must:

  • Have work experience as a Type 1 holder (usually 2+ years),
  • Pass advanced skills exams or national trade skill tests (Level 1 or single-level),
  • Be proficient in Japanese (although no formal language test is required, JLPT N3 or higher is advisable).

Initially limited to two industries (construction and shipbuilding), the eligible fields expanded to 16 sectors by 2024, including manufacturing, automobile maintenance, food processing, and others.

Growth in Certification Numbers

  • 2021: 1 person certified.
  • 2022: About a dozen certified.
  • 2023: 210 individuals held the Type 2 visa.
  • Mid-2024: 153 new certifications reported (total estimated around 400).

Notably, in the wood processing sector, 20 examinees passed in the first official test in late 2024. Other manufacturing fields have also begun to show promising results.

Industry Breakdown

  • Construction: The leading sector for Type 2 due to a mature testing framework.
  • Shipbuilding/Marine Equipment: Focus on welding and painting skills.
  • Manufacturing (e.g., auto repair, electronics): Showing growth post-2024 expansion.
  • New sectors (e.g., hospitality, food service): Still in early implementation phases.

Exam Access and Barriers

Challenges include:

  • Limited testing opportunities: Exams are infrequent and only held in specific regions or countries.
  • Lack of awareness: Many employers and candidates don’t fully understand Type 2 pathways.
  • Support system limitations: SMEs often lack administrative support for visa transition processes.

Government Response and Future Improvements

Japan is taking several steps to strengthen the system:

  • Increased exam locations: In 2025, exams are being held in 15 countries including Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
  • Online and multilingual testing: Digitalization and language support are expanding.
  • Migration support: Pilot programs are assisting transitions from Type 1 to Type 2.
  • Local government involvement: Prefectures are offering language classes, test prep, and job-matching services.

Conclusion

SSW Type 2 plays a critical role in Japan’s foreign labor strategy, enabling skilled workers to establish long-term careers and families in the country. While initial adoption was slow, reforms in 2024–2025 have led to rising certification numbers and broader institutional support.

The continued development of testing infrastructure, employer education, and immigrant support services will be essential to realizing the full potential of this visa type in Japan’s labor market transformation.

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