Specified Skills Consortium (TGC) Conducts Survey of 1,236 Specified Skills Workers; 75% Want to Continue Working in Japan

The Specified Skills Consortium (Secretariat: Proud Partners Inc., located in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo) announces the results of its first "Survey on the Actual Conditions of 1,236 Specified Skills Workers" conducted by the Support Organization Subcommittee.

Survey Results Report Here

The purpose of this survey is to quantify the reality of "what specified skills workers think, how much they earn, and what they struggle with," and to contribute to a fair discussion regarding the "acceptance of foreign nationals" in Japan.

The results revealed a picture of individuals who wish to settle in Japan and contribute to tax payments and consumption, differing from the traditional image of "temporary workers sending remittances home."

Going forward, this survey will be conducted regularly and its results published, with plans to also conduct a survey on the actual conditions of accepting companies.

[Reference] A registered support organization is an entity that can provide support for specified skills workers to smoothly carry out their work and daily lives on behalf of companies that accept them. For Specified Skills 1, Specified Skills 2, and Specified Skills 3, support is provided for 10 mandatory support items.

▼ Key Points of the "Survey on the Actual Conditions of 1,236 Specified Skills Workers"

1. 75% of respondents expressed a desire to "continue working in Japan," indicating a tendency to settle.

2. Specified skills workers and accepting companies contribute to Japanese society by paying ¥336.5 billion (approx. $2.3 billion USD) annually in taxes and social insurance premiums.

(※1) Estimated amount based on the monthly income of specified skills workers in this survey and population statistics.

Survey Results Report Here

1. Desire to Settle: 75% Want to "Continue Working"

To the question "Do you want to continue working in Japan in the future?", 75% answered "Yes" ("Don't know" 22%, "No" 2%).

Furthermore, satisfaction with work (95%), life (92%), medical care (96%), and administrative services (98%) were generally highly rated.

Free-response comments included many aspirations for long-term life plans, such as "I want to become a certified care worker" and "I want to bring my family to Japan."

▶ For details, refer to Chapter 6 (pp. 9-11) of the official report.

2. Economic Contribution (Taxes, Social Insurance Premiums, etc.): ¥336.5 billion annually, equivalent to the tax revenue of 5 prefectures.

Created by the Specified Skills Consortium, referencing the local tax rankings from "Statistics by Prefecture."

Applying the monthly income from this survey (¥885.4 billion) to the 382,000 individuals in the Specified Skills 1 category as of the end of December 2025, as announced by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, the estimated annual tax and social insurance payments were approximately ¥336.5 billion (including social insurance premiums shared by the employer in addition to the individual's contribution).

This amount exceeds the combined local tax revenue of the five prefectures with the lowest revenue (Tottori, Kochi, Shimane, Tokushima, Saga), which is approximately ¥318.8 billion (※2).

Additionally, the total amount sent to their home countries by the 1,236 specified skills workers surveyed was approximately ¥204.5 billion annually.

From these figures, it can be seen that the majority of the total income (gross) of specified skills workers, excluding remittances to their home countries (approx. ¥204.5 billion), is returned to Japan through domestic consumption, savings, and tax payments.

(※2) For details, please refer to the local tax rankings in "Statistics by Prefecture."

▶ For details, premises, and points to note, refer to Chapter 11 (pp. 17-20) of the official report.

3. Public Safety: Arrest Rate by Residence Status Shows Specified Skills Workers at the Lowest Level.

When viewed by residence status, rather than broadly categorizing as "foreign nationals," the arrest rate for specified skills workers (per 10,000 resident population) was the lowest at 18.6 people (※3) among employment-based and technical intern training-based statuses. This is about half the average for all foreign nationals visiting Japan (33.9 people).

While 93.6% of specified skills workers are young, aged 18-39, even when comparing with the same age group of Japanese nationals (240 people) after adjusting for age composition using the average age of respondents in this survey, their crime rate (107-186 people per 100,000 population for penal code offenses) was lower.

(※3) According to "Trends in Organized Crime in Reiwa 7 (2025)" announced by the National Police Agency's Organized Crime Control Department in April 2026, the proportion of Specified Skills workers in "Arrested Persons by Major Residence Status" was 4.9%. This number, multiplied by the 382,000 Specified Skills 1 workers as of the end of December 2025 announced by the Immigration Services Agency, was converted to a rate per 10,000 resident population.

(※4) The "range" for Specified Skills workers is because the number of arrests for Specified Skills workers (626 people) published by the National Police Agency includes both penal code offenses and special law violations (e.g., Immigration Control Act violations). The breakdown for penal code offenses alone by residence status is not published. When converted using the penal code offense rate for all foreign nationals visiting Japan (approx. 57%), it is 107 people (lower limit). When dividing the total number by the resident population without excluding any Immigration Control Act violations, it is 186 people (upper limit). Intermediate assumptions result in around 140 people.

▶ For details and methodology, refer to Chapter 12 (pp. 20-27) of the official report. Direct comparison with overseas data using different calculation methods is not possible.

4. Challenges Identified

1) 16% of respondents indicated that they "sometimes/often" experience discrimination or unfair treatment, and 11% "did not want to answer" (based on 1,029 valid responses).

Considering that this survey was conducted through registered support organizations, these figures should be noted as signals indicating the existence of unexpressed experiences.

By nationality, Nepalese respondents had the highest proportion (23%) of those who have experienced some form of "discrimination," with 20% reporting "sometimes" and 3% reporting "often" experiencing discrimination or unfair treatment.

[Note] Data for the Philippines could not be calculated due to only 2 valid responses for the option.

2) Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) Qualification Rate

32% of respondents answered "no qualification" for the JLPT, and it was found that 55% do not hold a qualification even after residing in Japan for 5 years or more.

This suggests a structure where employment and daily life are possible without necessarily obtaining a qualification.

5. Stance of the TGC (Specified Skills Consortium)

The TGC believes that regulations and relaxations for foreign nationals should be judged individually for each residence status.

As indicated by the results of this survey, 75% of specified skills workers wish to work long-term, they contribute approximately ¥336.5 billion annually to the economy (including social insurance premiums shared by employers), and their arrest rate (per 10,000 resident population) is the lowest at 18.6 people among employment-based and technical intern training-based visas, while also facing challenges such as discrimination.

These factors can serve as important material for system revisions.

The TGC will propose "the ideal state of acceptance" based on actual data, without pre-determining a stance on expansion or restriction.

Furthermore, the consortium plans to continue this survey as a regular observation 2-3 times a year and publish trends in core indicators.

6. List of Reports for This Survey

Specified Skills Worker Actual Conditions Survey (1st Report) Official Report

[Appendix] Specified Skills Worker Actual Conditions Survey (1st Report) _ Industry Cross-Analysis

[Appendix] Specified Skills Worker Actual Conditions Survey (1st Report) _ Area Cross-Analysis

7. To Media Representatives

For this occasion only, the raw data from this survey (1,236 individuals) will be provided free of charge upon request. We hope that you will utilize the primary data from specified skills workers to conduct analyses from new perspectives not covered in this announcement and contribute to fair reporting.

(Please fill out the form if you wish to request the survey data.)

The Specified Skills Consortium is seeking media representatives interested in joining the Media Subcommittee. Please feel free to contact us. The main role of the Media Subcommittee is to disseminate information on the actual conditions and on-site initiatives for each residence status and to foster a correct understanding of the acceptance of foreign nationals.

▼ Contact Information Regarding the "Specified Skills Consortium"

Specified Skills Consortium Secretariat (Proud Partners Inc.) Contact: Okamura Email: tgc@proudcorp.com

Introduction to the Specified Skills Consortium Support Organization Subcommittee

The role of the Support Organization Subcommittee is to continuously collect primary information on on-site challenges and operational realities, and to systematize knowledge related to recruitment, daily life support, and retention.

Currently, there are 4 member companies, and their cumulative support experience for specified skills workers exceeds 12,000 person-times across the construction, caregiving, food service, agriculture, lodging, food manufacturing, and automotive transport sectors.

* Listed in Japanese syllabary order. Please refer to the appendix for the characteristics of each company as a registered support organization.

NINAITE Inc. (Location: Hokkaido / Main Supported Industries: Caregiving, Agriculture, Food Manufacturing, Food Service, Lodging)

▼ Comment from President and CEO Sanshiro Yokoyama

When traveling around the country, we see the reality that industries are on the verge of disappearing due to labor shortages.

On the other hand, many challenges remain in the field of foreign employment, such as the complexity of systems and procedures, and fragmented information.

Through our work in introducing and supporting foreign nationals on-site, we at NINAITE have become convinced that foreign employment is not just a measure to address labor shortages, but a crucial element supporting the future of Japanese industry and local communities.

Therefore, we believe this consortium, which visualizes the actual on-site conditions and brings together support organizations, accepting companies, and industry stakeholders to collaboratively shape a better model of acceptance, holds significant meaning.

NINAITE aims to create new infrastructure for foreign employment through knowledge gained on-site and AI-powered systems.

We will contribute to the progress of the entire industry towards realizing a society where foreign nationals are welcomed not as "employees" but as partners in building the future.

Funtoco Inc. (Location: Osaka Prefecture / Main Supported Industries: Caregiving, Food Service, etc.)

▼ Comment from CEO Masato Yamamoto

In Japan, where national strength is declining due to population decrease, coexistence with foreign nationals is indispensable.

What is required of Japan going forward is how it can change while preserving its established strengths. Therefore, I believe it is meaningful to have discussions and actions that face reality, not just idealistic theories, and bring together those who are doing so.

Funtoco will fulfill its role in society by enhancing support for individuals as residents, including education and finance, centered on introduction and support.

LivCo Inc. (Location: Tokyo / Main Supported Industries: Food Service, Caregiving, Lodging, Food and Beverage Manufacturing, Agriculture)

▼ Comment from Representative Director Shotaro Sasaki

The Specified Skills system is at an unprecedented turning point. As of the end of December 2025, the number of foreign nationals with Specified Skills status is expected to reach a record high of approximately 390,000, entering an era where "how to create a coexistence society" is being questioned.

On the other hand, the field is fraught with challenges such as variations in quality among support organizations and discrepancies between on-site realities and the system.

To foster this industry into a sound one, I believe it is necessary for the industry as a whole to redesign business practices so that accepting companies, foreign nationals themselves, and support organizations can receive appropriate value.

As a player who entered this field in 2021, during the dawn of the Specified Skills system, LivCo will generously provide many real voices and contribute to the realization of a society where coexistence with foreign nationals is possible.

Proud Partners Inc. (Location: Tokyo / Main Supported Industries: Construction, Food Service, Automotive Transport, etc.)

▼ Comment from Representative Director Ryuji Suzuki

The Specified Skills system was established to address the severe labor shortage in domestic industries.

In regional economies and industries that young Japanese tend to avoid, securing labor is a management issue that affects business continuity itself. Specified skills workers and other foreign nationals are supporting these "front lines" by working diligently.

Recently, there have been a series of system changes and stricter regulations related to residence status.

The suspension of new visa issuances for Specified Skills 1 in the food service sector, suddenly announced and implemented by the government this spring, is still fresh in our memory. It was a shocking event that shook the premises of business plans, not only for foreign nationals who were preparing to work overseas but also for food service companies struggling to secure personnel.

We interpret this not as a review of the Specified Skills system itself, but as part of a broader review (and tightening) of residence statuses for long-term foreign residents, including management/administration (investment visas), technical/humanities/international services (Gijin-koku), and permanent residency visas.

Nevertheless, we believe that the Specified Skills system must continue to be a fair system for both foreign nationals wishing to work in Japan and domestic companies aiming to resolve labor shortages and achieve sustainable growth.

As a registered support organization, we have addressed the lives of individual specified skills workers and the growth of accepting companies. Now, four companies, including ours, have joined the Support Organization Subcommittee of the Specified Skills Consortium.

Through future subcommittee activities, we aim to correctly visualize "what specified skills workers actually think, how much they earn, and what they struggle with," as well as "what expectations and challenges accepting companies face," and contribute to building a society where fair discussions can take place for both parties.

Overview of the Specified Skills Consortium

Establishment Date

April 1, 2026

Purpose of Establishment

1. Visualization of actual conditions regarding the acceptance of foreign nationals, including Specified Skills.

2. Definition of the ideal state.

(Details here)

Supervising Officer

Alberto Okamura, Director, Proud Partners Inc.

Structure

Headquarters

Support Organization Subcommittee, Accepting Company Subcommittee, Media Department, Industry Association Department

Main Activities

1. Collection and analysis of actual condition data by residence status.

2. Information organization and creation/publication of reports across industries.

3. Definition and standardization of the "ideal state of acceptance" in each field.

4. Sharing and implementation support of retention support know-how for accepting companies.

5. Creation of opportunities for exchange and knowledge sharing among HR and acceptance personnel of companies.

6. Dissemination of information to society and promotion of understanding through the media.

7. Policy recommendations and expression of opinions for system improvement.

Contact for Support Organizations and Companies Interested in Participating in the Specified Skills Consortium

Contact for Support Organizations and Companies Interested in Participating in the Specified Skills Consortium

Specified Skills Consortium Secretariat (Within Proud Partners Inc.)

Email: tgc@proudcorp.com

Reference

About the Specified Skills System

System Overview: A Japanese residence status system established to accept foreigners with a certain level of expertise and skills in specific industrial fields facing severe labor shortages. Introduced in April 2019, residence statuses for Category 1 in 16 fields and Category 2 in 11 fields are recognized in 2025.

Purpose: To secure foreign labor in fields where it is difficult to secure domestic workers and to support the economy.

Residence Statuses (Visa Types): There are two types, Specified Skills 1 and Specified Skills 2. Category 2 requires higher expertise and skills than Category 1.

▼ Visa Types

Specified Skills 1: Targets foreign workers with certain knowledge and experience in specific industrial fields, evaluated through skills tests and Japanese language proficiency tests.

Specified Skills 2: Allows for longer-term residency for Category 1 foreign workers who possess advanced expertise and skills and wish to work in Category 2 fields.

Fields: Industries closely linked to society's infrastructure, such as construction, agriculture, fisheries, manufacturing, logistics, and caregiving.

Background of the System: Established to address the deepening labor shortage and maintain the sustainability of the economy and social infrastructure.

Contact Information

【Contact for Support Organizations and Companies Interested in Participating in the Specified Skills Consortium】

Specified Skills Consortium Secretariat (Within Proud Partners Inc.)

Contact: Okamura

Email: tgc@proudcorp.com

Survey Overview

Survey Name: Survey on the Actual Conditions of 1,236 Specified Skills Workers

Survey Background: Growing discussion surrounding the acceptance of foreign nationals, movements towards system changes and stricter regulations related to residence status, and a lack of "actual condition data by residence status" that should form the basis of public opinion, particularly primary data based on the voices of the individuals themselves.

Survey Objective: To quantify the reality of "what specified skills workers think, how much they earn, and what they struggle with," and to contribute to a fair discussion regarding the "acceptance of foreign nationals" in Japan.

Survey Source: Specified Skills Consortium (TGC) Support Organization Subcommittee

Survey Target: Specified skills workers (currently residing in Japan) supported by member companies (registered support organizations) of the Specified Skills Consortium Support Organization Subcommittee.

Survey Method: Online survey *in 7 languages (Vietnamese, Nepali, English, Indonesian, Tagalog, Burmese, Chinese).

Valid Responses: 1,236

Survey Period: May 15 - June 15, 2026

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