What Are the New Inclusion Measures Implemented from April 1, 2025?
Hello, this is Hong from IMS Legal Professional Corporation. According to statistical data published by the Immigration Services Agency, the number of foreign nationals residing in Japan under the Specified Skilled Worker status reached 284,466 as of the end of 2024. By nationality, Vietnam ranks first (133,478 people), followed by Indonesia (53,538), the Philippines (28,234), Myanmar (27,348), and China (17,761).
・Public Disclosure of the Number of SSW Foreign Residents
In specific industries in Japan where labor shortages are severe, the demand for Specified Skilled Workers is expected to continue growing. Coupled with the upcoming “Developing Employment” system scheduled for implementation by 2027, it is no exaggeration to say that foreign workers have become an indispensable part of Japan's labor force.
In this article, I will explain the new inclusion measures under the Specified Skilled Worker system that came into effect on April 1, 2025.
[Summary]
In anticipation of a further increase in the number of Specified Skilled Workers, the Japanese government has strengthened the obligations of accepting organizations (employers) under the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) system. These organizations are now officially required to contribute to the realization of a society that promotes coexistence with foreign residents in local communities. Support for SSW Type 1 workers must also be provided in consideration of local efforts toward multicultural coexistence.
As a result, a new standard has been established: if a local government requests cooperation in implementing such coexistence measures, the accepting organization must comply and provide the necessary cooperation. Additionally, it is now a formal requirement that the creation and implementation of support plans for SSW Type 1 workers reflect the coexistence measures being carried out by local municipalities.
Alongside the enforcement of these inclusion policies, SSW accepting organizations must submit a “Letter of Confirmation of Cooperation” to both:
① The municipality where the SSW worker's workplace is located, and
② The municipality where the SSW worker resides.
The “Letter of Confirmation of Cooperation” is a written statement affirming that the organization will comply and cooperate with requests from local governments regarding inclusion measures. The designated form for this document is available on the Immigration Services Agency website.
Timing for Submission of the Letter of Confirmation of Cooperation
- When accepting a Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) for the first time: the letter must be submitted after signing the employment contract with the SSW and before applying for the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or submitting an application for change of residence status.
- For organizations already employing SSWs: the letter must be submitted before the first application for status change or extension of period of stay for the concerned worker after the policy enforcement date.
Where and How to Submit the Letter of Confirmation of Cooperation
The letter must be submitted to:
① The municipality where the SSW worker's workplace is located, and
② The municipality where the SSW worker resides.
Submission procedures vary by municipality and are usually posted on each municipality's official website. Common methods include email and postal mail.
If the workplace and residence are in the same municipality, only one copy needs to be submitted to that municipality.
In principle, once the letter is submitted to the relevant municipality, there is no need to resubmit it when accepting other SSWs who will be working at the same business location.
With the implementation of the inclusion measures, related items have been added to the application form and the support plan.
■ Additional item in the application form:
Item No. 32 has been added to page 3V (for preparation by the accepting organization).
You are required to fill in whether or not the above-mentioned Letter of Confirmation of Cooperation has been submitted. As explained earlier, the letter must be submitted to the relevant municipality before filing the immigration application, and the date of submission and the name of the municipality submitted to must be entered on the application form.
■ Additional Content in the Support Plan
Under the new section "V. Matters Related to Inclusion Measures," the following items have been added:
When providing support, it is necessary to review the inclusion measures implemented by the municipalities where the SSW (Specified Skilled Worker) will work and reside. This review is generally expected to be conducted by checking the official websites of the relevant local governments (i.e., the municipalities where the workplace and residence of the Type 1 SSW are located).
For example, if the letter of confirmation is to be submitted to “City Q,” you can search online using keywords like “City Q foreign residents living guide” or “City Q multicultural coexistence,” and check the appropriate pages on the official website of City Q.
In conclusion, inclusion measures reflect the close mutual relationship between Japanese citizens and foreign residents. With the number of foreign workers expected to grow further, they will undoubtedly become an essential part of building Japanese society.
If you have any concerns regarding Specified Skilled Worker visa applications, support tasks, or accepting SSWs in general, please feel free to contact our office.
Please note that the information provided in this blog is current as of now. It is your responsibility to check the latest information on official government websites.
For more information, please contact us below ↓
https://imsvisa.support/en/contact/
