Japan Ikusei Shuro Transition Planner- Home
- Guide
What Is Ikusei Shuro? Differences from Technical Intern Training
Key dates, requirements and transitional rules for employers (checked 2026-10-31).
| Technical Intern Training (to Mar 2027) | Ikusei Shuro (from Apr 2027) | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | International contribution through skills transfer | Developing and securing workers in short-staffed sectors |
| Length | Stage (i) 1 yr, (ii) 2 yrs, (iii) 2 yrs (max 5) | Up to 3 years, then Specified Skilled Worker (i) |
| Scope | By occupation and task | 17 sectors (the 19 SSW sectors minus automobile transportation and aviation) |
| Changing employer | Not allowed in principle | Allowed at the worker's wish after 1 or 2 years (by sector) and passing tests |
| Intermediary | Supervising organization (licensed) | Supervision and support organization (stricter licence; existing bodies must reapply) |
| Plan | Training plan certified by OTIT | Ikusei Shuro plan certified by the new Organization for Ikusei Shuro |
| Caps | None | Sector caps; 426,200 in total to March 2029 |
Timeline
- June 21, 2024: amendment promulgated
- January 23, 2026: Cabinet approves sector policies (17 sectors, transfer rules, caps)
- April 15, 2026: pre-launch licence applications for supervising organizations open
- September 1, 2026: pre-launch plan certification applications open
- April 1, 2027: law takes effect (no new technical intern training plans)
- June 30, 2027: last start date for training plans filed before the effective date
Current technical interns
Anyone in training on the effective date continues under "Technical Intern Training". Stage (i) trainees can move to stage (ii), but only those with at least one year in stage (ii) on the effective date can move to stage (iii). Switching to Ikusei Shuro is not possible.
Japanese and skills levels
| When | Skills | Japanese |
|---|---|---|
| Start of work | — | A1 test or equivalent course |
| After 1 year | Ikusei Shuro evaluation test (basic) or basic-grade skills test | A1 or above |
| Transfer | Same as after 1 year | A2.1 or above (higher in some sectors) |
| End / SSW (i) | SSW (i) test or skills test grade 3 | A2.2 or above |
Transfer restriction and better treatment
The aim is one year, but for now each sector sets 1–2 years. Employers using a two-year restriction must raise pay after the first year at the sector's published rate. Workers facing violence, harassment or similar "unavoidable circumstances" can move at any time.
Costs
Fees a worker pays a sending agency are to be capped at two months of first-year wages. Supervision fees, travel and training costs vary, so get quotes.
Primary sources (Japanese): overview / key points of sector policies / transitional measures / pre-launch applications / Q&A