In Osaka, the number of industries eligible for the “Specified Skilled Worker No. 2” residence status, which allows skilled foreign workers to reside permanently, has been expanded, and it is said that “the momentum for Kansai companies to employ foreign talent is growing” (Osaka City: Number of foreigners moving in exceeds that of Japanese, the largest increase in the country, What makes it a “city of choice”?, 2025-08-07 Sankei Shimbun). Let’s summarize the requirements for “Specified Skilled Worker No. 2”.

1. Purpose and Overview of the System

The Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) No. 2 status of residence is granted to foreign workers who possess advanced skills and practical abilities to work in Japan’s labor-shortage industries.
Compared to SSW No. 1, it has the following characteristics:

It covers 11 industrial sectors, excluding nursing care (which has a separate pathway). The eligible sectors are construction, shipbuilding/marine, manufacturing, agriculture, fisheries, accommodation, automobile maintenance, aviation, building cleaning, food and beverage manufacturing, and food service (global-saponet.mgl.mynavi.jp, kit-office.jp).

2. Common Basic Requirements

The following general requirements apply across all sectors:

  1. Age and Health
    • Must be at least 18 years old at the time of entry (visa-nextstep.com)
    • Must be in good health, with a medical certificate proving fitness for work in Japan (may include TB screening) (visa-nextstep.com)
  2. Proof of Skills
  3. Work Experience (Supervisory/Managerial)
    • Must have worked in a supervisory role (e.g., team leader, foreman) managing and directing multiple workers.
    • In most sectors, at least 2–3 years of such experience is required (visa-nextstep.com, kit-office.jp, sswm.go.jp).
  4. Other Conditions
    • Must hold a valid passport issued by the home country’s government (visa-nextstep.com)
    • No collection of deposits, asset management requirements, or penalty clauses by the employer (visa-nextstep.com)
    • Compliance with sending-country procedures, agreement on costs, etc. (visa-nextstep.com)
    • Former Technical Intern Trainees must make efforts to transfer skills to their home country (visa-nextstep.com)
  5. Japanese Language Ability
    • No formal Japanese language test requirement for most sectors; however, fisheries and food service sectors may require JLPT N3 or equivalent (myanmarunity.jp, kit-office.jp)

3. Sector-Specific Requirements (Examples)

Construction

  • Pass the “Construction SSW No. 2 Skills Evaluation Test” or hold National Skills Test Level 1.
  • 3+ years of foreman/supervisor experience managing multiple skilled workers (approx. 645 workdays) (kit-office.jp)

Building Cleaning

  • Pass the “Building Cleaning SSW No. 2 Skills Test” or hold Level 1 certificate.
  • 2+ years of experience directing and managing a cleaning crew (kit-office.jp)

Agriculture

  • Pass the “Agriculture SSW No. 2 Test” (crop or livestock).
  • 2+ years of supervisory experience or 3+ years of field work (kit-office.jp)

Fisheries

  • Pass the “Fisheries SSW No. 2 Test” (fishing or aquaculture).
  • 2+ years of supervisory experience on a fishing vessel.
  • JLPT N3 required (kit-office.jp)

Food & Beverage Manufacturing

  • Pass the sector-specific skills test.
  • 2+ years of supervisory experience (kit-office.jp)

Food Service

  • Pass the sector-specific skills test.
  • 2+ years as assistant manager/sub-manager supervising staff and store operations.
  • JLPT N3 required (kit-office.jp)

Automobile Maintenance

  • Pass the sector-specific skills test or hold a Class 2 mechanic license.
  • Work experience in a certified repair shop (kit-office.jp)

Manufacturing

  • Pass the “Manufacturing SSW No. 2 Test” plus Business Career Test Level 3, or hold Level 1 skills certificate.
  • 3+ years of manufacturing work experience (sswm.go.jp)

Accommodation

  • Pass the “Accommodation SSW No. 2 Test.”
  • 2+ years of supervisory experience in hotel/guest services (kit-office.jp)

4. Summary

The core requirements for SSW No. 2 are:

  1. Skills Certification – Pass the sector’s Skills Evaluation Test or hold National Skills Test Level 1.
  2. Work Experience – Typically 2–3+ years of supervisory/managerial experience.
  3. Basic Conditions – Age, health, passport validity, no deposits, compliance with rules, and sometimes Japanese ability.

SSW No. 2 can be obtained without first holding SSW No. 1, offering pathways to long-term residence, family accompaniment, and potentially permanent residency (jac-skill.or.jp, mofa.go.jp).