Key facts
- India and Japan signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on Specified Skilled Workers in New Delhi on 18 January 2021.
- Japan’s Immigration Services Agency lists SSW (i) as up to 5 years across 19 specified industrial fields, and SSW (ii) in 11 fields with no limit on renewals.
- SSW (i) needs a skills test for the field plus Japanese at A2 level, shown by JFT-Basic or JLPT N4.
- Japan’s Employment for Skill Development (ESD) programme starts on 1 April 2027, replacing the Technical Intern Training Program, with 3 years of employment aimed at SSW (i) level.
- Under ESD, workers can change employer by choice if they meet certain requirements, and Japan is adding rules so that fees paid to sending agencies are not unduly high.
The three routes in one table
| Route | How long | Japanese needed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSW (i) | Up to 5 years | A2: JFT-Basic or JLPT N4 | 19 fields; also needs a skills test for the field; family generally cannot join |
| SSW (ii) | No limit on renewals | Varies by field (Japan’s chart shows B1, e.g. JLPT N3, for some) | 11 fields; for experienced workers who have moved up from SSW (i) |
| ESD (from 1 April 2027) | 3 years, then move to SSW (i) | A1 (e.g. JFT-Basic, JLPT N5) or equivalent classes before starting | Replaces the Technical Intern Training Program; 17 fields |
Japan’s chart notes that you can also take the SSW tests abroad and enter Japan directly as an SSW (i) worker without going through ESD. For a Keralite with good Japanese and a trade skill, that direct route is usually the faster one.
Which fields hire
When India signed its cooperation agreement in 2021, the Union Cabinet note listed 14 sectors, including nursing care, building cleaning, construction, agriculture, fisheries and food service. Japan has since expanded the system to 19 fields. As of July 2026, motor transport and aviation are the only SSW fields not also open under ESD. Nursing care is the field where Indian recruitment is most visible. Japanese care company Sompo Care, for example, has trained Indian nursing graduates in Japanese and caregiving near Delhi before taking them to Japan, Business Standard reported in 2025.
The tests, step by step
- Japanese. Reach N4 level and pass either the JLPT (July or December; nearest centres to Kerala are Chennai, Bengaluru and Karur) or the computer-based JFT-Basic. See our JLPT guide.
- Skills test. Pass the SSW evaluation test for your field, such as nursing care, food service or manufacturing. Nursing care also has a separate care-Japanese test. Check Japan’s official SSW portal for test dates and countries.
- Job offer. A Japanese employer or a registered support organisation offers you a contract.
- Visa. The employer applies for your Certificate of Eligibility, and you then get the visa from the Japanese mission in India.
If you finished Technical Intern Training (ii) in Japan, you are generally exempt from the SSW (i) tests in the same field.
Avoiding job scams
- No genuine agent guarantees a Japan job for a fee. Japan’s ESD rules are aimed at keeping charges to sending organisations from being unduly high. Huge upfront fees are a red flag.
- Check the recruiting agent’s licence on the Government of India’s eMigrate portal, and ask Kerala’s state recruitment agency, ODEPC, or the NORKA desk if you are unsure.
- Never hand over your original passport or certificates to anyone except a verified employer process.
- Ask to see the employer’s name and a written contract in a language you understand before you pay for training or travel.
- Talk to people who have actually worked in Japan. ASA Kerala at the Nippon Kerala Centre is a network of exactly those people.
Preparing from Kalamassery
A realistic plan is 6–12 months of Japanese study to N4, alongside training or experience in a trade. Kalamassery suits this: the Japanese course at Nippon Kerala Centre runs evening classes, the Government ITI and polytechnic teach trades, and the jobs board lists local work to fund the months of study. Our student guide covers day-to-day living while you prepare.
Frequently asked questions
What Japanese level do I need to work in Japan?
For SSW (i), Japan needs A2 level, shown by passing JFT-Basic or JLPT N4, plus a skills test in your field. The new ESD route from April 2027 starts at A1 (for example JLPT N5) or equivalent classes.
Is the technical intern programme ending?
Yes. Japan’s Immigration Services Agency says the Technical Intern Training Program is being restructured into Employment for Skill Development (ESD), which comes into operation on 1 April 2027.
How long can I stay in Japan on SSW?
SSW (i) allows up to 5 years in total. SSW (ii), available in 11 fields for experienced workers, has no upper limit on renewals.
Does India have an agreement with Japan for skilled workers?
Yes. India and Japan signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on Specified Skilled Workers on 18 January 2021, setting up a joint mechanism for sending Indian workers who pass the required tests.
How do I check if a Japan job agent is genuine?
Verify the agent’s licence on the eMigrate portal, ask ODEPC or NORKA, insist on a written contract naming the employer, and never pay large fees for a guaranteed job.
Related guides
Sources
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Outline of Employment for Skill Development Program (revised July 2026)
- SCC Online: Cabinet approves India–Japan MoC on Specified Skilled Worker (Jan 2021)
- Gateway House: India–Japan Memorandum (signed 18 Jan 2021)
- Business Standard: Indian nursing caregivers to Japan (Sompo, NSDC)
- ASAP Kerala: Japanese – N4 (target roles TITP, SSW)
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Cite this guide: Ashraf Gents Hostel. “Japan Jobs from Kerala: SSW, Technical Intern and the New ESD Route.” Published 8 October 2026. https://ashrafgentspghostel.adserr.com/japan-jobs-from-kerala-ssw-guide/ Plain-text (Markdown) version · quoting with a link back is welcome.