Notification of Changes in the Specified Skilled No. 1 Assessment Test for
Manufacturing Industry and Addition of Specified Skilled Worker No. 2■ Changes in the Specified Skilled No. 1 Assessment Test for Manufacturing Industry
The following changes will be made to the Specified Skilled No. 1 Assessment Test for
Manufacturing Industry in fiscal year 2023.
1. Change of the examination categories
In August 2022, the Cabinet decided to integrate the 19 business categories in the manufacturingindustry into three categories. Accordingly, the examination categories will be changed in stages
starting this year. When taking the examination, please pay attention to the examination category.
For example, questions after the change, please check the sample questions.
In FY2023, examinees can select skills from 19 skills in the 3 examination categories, as FY2023
is in the transitional period following the integration.

(1) Common questions in the category

Electric and electronic equipment
assembly(1) Common questions in the category(1) Common questions in the category(2) Multiple-choice questions(15 subjects)(2) Multiple-choice questions(9 subjects)(2) Multiple-choice questions(2 subjects)

Practical skill
examinationWritten examination

Machining and Metal Processing- Casting- Die casting- Metal press- Factory sheet
metal work
- Forging- Iron work
- Machining- Finishing- Plastic molding- Welding- Painting- Electric equipment
assembling- Machine inspection- Machine maintenance- Industrial packaging- Machining- Finishing- Plastic molding- Electric equipment assembling- Electronic equipment assembling- Print wiring board manufacturing- Machine inspection- Machine maintenance- Industrial packaging

Metal surface treatment- Electroplating- Aluminum anodizing

Multiple-choice questions (19 subjects)--- Multiple-choice questions are for the same subject as in the written examination.
Casting, forging, die casting, machining, metal press, iron work, factory sheet metal work, Electroplating, aluminum anodizing,finishing, machine inspection, machine maintenance, electronic equipment assembling, electric equipment assembling,
print wiring board manufacturing, plastic molding, painting, welding, industrial packaging(Reference: Announced in August 2022) Revision of the System for Foreign Human Resources
with Specified Skills (Manufacturing Industry
As for the practical skill examination, work such as fabrication was tested in the welding subject
until FY2022, but from FY2023 onward, it will be tested by examinations, as is the case for othersubjects. Alternatively, it will be tested using the paper test method.

2. Change of examination time
In consideration of past examinations and the amount of examination time in other industries, theexamination time will be changed as follows. For details, please refer to the examination guide.
Examinationtime

Before change

After change

Written examination: 60 minutes,
practical skill examination: 60 minutes

80 minutes for the written andpractical skill examinations in total

3. Language changes in overseas examinations
In consideration of the survey results from past examinations and the examination language inother industries, the examination language will be changed as follows. Please note that theexamination language is Japanese for those taking the exam outside of Japan. For example,
questions after the change, please check the sample questions.
Language inexamination

Before change

After change

Language of the country where thetest is conductedJapanese

4. Revision of examination fees and pass certificate issuance fees
Due to the rise in various costs related to testing, such as the costs for the preparation of new
examination questions and revision of existing questions, and the transportation and production ofmaterials, as well as costs for venues and human resources, the examination fee and the fee for
issuing a pass certificate will be revised as follows in consideration of the level of examination feesin other industries.

Examination fee for the Specified
Skilled No. 1 Assessment Test
(For both Japan and overseas)
Fee for issuing a pass certificate
for the specified skills

Before change

After change

2,000 yen

8,000 yen-

15,000 yen*Applicable from applications
filed on or after July 1, 2023.

(Note) Applicants who passed the exam in FY2022 or before will also need to pay the fee for
issuing a pass certificate if they apply (or re-apply) for the pass certificate on or after July 1, 2023.

■ Addition of Specified Skilled Worker No. 2 in the Manufacturing Industry
In June 2023, the Cabinet decided that the machine parts and tooling, industrial machinery andelectric, electronics and information industries are subject to the Specified Skilled Worker No. 2system. Specified Skilled Worker No. 2 is a status of residence for foreign nationals engaged inwork requiring proficient skills. With this status, foreign human resources who have acquired
proficient skills through experience in the system for foreign human resources with specified skills
No. 1 will be able to continue to work in the manufacturing industry as skilled workers or inmanagement positions.
Specified Skilled Worker No. 1

Specified Skilled Worker No. 2

Term of residence

Renewed for a period not
Renewed every 3 years, 1 year or
exceeding one year, as specified by 6 months, no upper limit
the Minister of Justice for each
foreign national, for a maximum
stay up to five years in total

Skill standards

Checked by examinations, etc.
(Foreigners who have successfullycompleted Technical Intern Training
No. 2 are exempt from the

Checked by examinations, etc.

examination, etc. requirement)
Japanese language
levelJapanese language skills
necessary for daily life and work
are checked through examinations,etc. (Foreigners who havecompleted Technical Intern Training
No. 2 are exempt from theexamination, etc. requirement)

Check by examination, etc. is not
required in principle.

Estimated number
Yesof accepted workers(upper limit)

NoAccompaniment byfamily members

Basically, not permittedPermitted if requirements aremet (spouse, children)

SupportEligible for support by acceptingorganizations or registered supportorganizations

Not eligible for support byaccepting organizations orregistered support organizations

For other information on test No. 2 (requirements for obtaining the status ofresidence, outline of the implementation of the Specified Skilled No. 2 Assessment
Test for Manufacturing Industry, etc.), please visit the portal site(https://www.sswm.go.jp/exam_f_02/). (Japanese language only)*The Specified Skilled No. 2 Assessment Test in FY2023 is planned to be conducted in Japan only.