Many people in Indonesia want to work in Japan, and there is more than one way to get there. Each official pathway has its own purpose, requirements and length of stay. Knowing the differences before you start helps you choose a route that fits your skills and plans, and helps you avoid costly mistakes. This article gives a short overview of the main options as of October 2026.
Why choose an official route
An official route means you go through processes recognized by the governments of Indonesia and Japan: licensed training institutions, licensed placement companies and a proper status of residence. It may take more time and preparation, but it protects you in several ways.
- Clear costs. Official routes follow defined procedures, so you can ask what each fee is for. Unofficial brokers often ask for large sums with no clear basis, and some disappear after they are paid.
- Legal protection. With a valid status of residence and an employment contract, you are covered by Japanese labor law, including rules on wages, working hours and safety.
- Somewhere to turn. Workers on official routes are registered, so there are institutions in both countries you can contact if something goes wrong.
Specified Skilled Worker (Tokutei Ginou)
Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) is a status of residence for foreign nationals who work in fields facing labor shortages in Japan. Examples include nursing care, industrial product manufacturing, construction, agriculture, food and beverage manufacturing, food service, accommodation and automobile repair. New fields have been added over the years, so check the latest list before you decide.
SSW (i)
- Purpose: to work in a field that needs a certain level of skill, doing work you can carry out without further special training.
- Main requirements: pass the skills test for the field and a Japanese test such as the JFT-Basic (A2 level) or the JLPT at N4 or above. Some fields, such as nursing care, also have an additional Japanese test.
- Exemption: people who have completed Technical Intern Training (ii) in a related field may be exempt from the skills test and the Japanese test.
- Period and family: up to five years in total. In principle, family members cannot come with you.
SSW (ii)
SSW (ii) is for workers with more advanced skills, usually after gaining experience on SSW (i) and passing a higher-level test. It is available in most, but not all, fields. The period of stay can be renewed with no fixed upper limit, and a spouse and children may be allowed to live in Japan with you if the requirements are met.
Employment for Skill Development (Ikusei Shuro)
Employment for Skill Development is a new system that starts on 1 April 2027 and replaces Technical Intern Training. It aims to develop and secure foreign workers in fields with labor shortages, and it is designed to lead on to SSW.
- Aim and period: in principle about three years of work, during which you build skills toward the SSW (i) level.
- Japanese: before you start work, you need to pass a test at around A1 level or complete a Japanese course of a set number of hours. The target by the end of the period is around A2 level.
- Changing employer: unlike Technical Intern Training, you may be able to change employer by your own choice within the same type of work, after working for a set period and meeting skills and Japanese conditions.
- Still being finalized: some details, such as rules for each field, may still change. Always check the latest official information.
Technical Intern Training during the transition
Technical Intern Training (Ginou Jisshu) continues until the new system starts. People who are already in training, or who start under plans approved within the transition rules, can generally complete their training. Moving from Technical Intern Training (ii) to SSW also remains possible for now. If you are considering this route today, ask about the transition rules before you sign anything.
Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (Gijinkoku)
This status of residence is for people with higher education, usually a university degree or equivalent education in a relevant field, or long practical experience. The work must be related to your field of study or expertise, for example engineering, IT, accounting, design or interpreting. The period of stay can be renewed, and family members may be able to join you if the requirements are met.
Comparison at a glance
| Route | Main requirements | Period | Suited for |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSW (i) | Skills test for the field and a Japanese test (JFT-Basic A2 or JLPT N4 or above), or completion of Technical Intern Training (ii) in a related field | Up to 5 years in total; family generally cannot come | People who already have basic skills and Japanese and want to work right away |
| SSW (ii) | Higher-level skills test and practical experience; details vary by field | Renewable; spouse and children may come | Experienced workers who want a long-term career in Japan |
| Employment for Skill Development | Japanese at around A1 level or a Japanese course before starting work; skills are built on the job | In principle about 3 years (from April 2027) | Beginners who want to learn while working and move on to SSW |
| Technical Intern Training | Follows existing training plans and the transition rules | Until the current training ends | People already in the process before the new system starts |
| Gijinkoku | University degree or equivalent education related to the work, or long practical experience | Renewable; family may come | Graduates with professional skills, such as engineering or IT |
Getting started with Jobagus.id
Jobagus.id is a platform that matches Indonesian talent with receiving companies in Japan, run by PT Jobagus Global Berjaya together with IJBNet. The general flow looks like this:
- Register for free at jinzai.jobagus.id and complete your profile.
- Profile Matching: JOBAGUS compares your profile with the needs of receiving companies in Japan.
- Interview and provisional offer: if there is a match, you may be invited to an interview. If the company decides to proceed, it may give you a provisional offer (kari naitei).
- Learning: you study Japanese and prepare for the required tests with licensed partner LPKs (training institutions).
- Departure: the departure process is handled by licensed partner P3MI (Indonesian migrant worker placement companies), following the official procedures.
JOBAGUS is not a placement agency, P3MI, LPK or broker, and it never charges a registration fee. Be careful with anyone who asks for money in exchange for a promise of a job in Japan, and check that every institution you deal with holds an official license.
If you would like to learn more first, try the free e-learning course "Mengenal Jalur Kerja ke Jepang" (Getting to Know the Pathways to Work in Japan) on the Jobagus.id website.
This information is as of October 2026. Rules can change, so always check the official sources: ssw.go.jp, moj.go.jp/isa and otit.go.jp.