Work in Japan 2027: Technical Intern Training Becomes “Ikusei Shūrō”
Japanese N5 Is Now Required to Work in Japan
For everyone who wants to work in Japan.
From April 2027, the rules for foreigners working in Japan change significantly. The most important point: without Japanese, you will no longer be able to work in Japan. It’s not difficult, so make sure you know this.
① What changes in April 2027?
The current “Technical Intern Training (Ginō Jisshū)” program will be abolished on April 1, 2027. In its place, a new system called “Ikusei Shūrō (Employment for Skill Development)” begins. This is already set in Japanese law.
The main goal of the new system is to develop foreign workers so they can work long-term in Japan and move up to “Tokutei Ginō (Specified Skilled Worker)”. For that reason, a “Japanese language rule” that did not exist before has been added.
② The minimum you must do
Under Ikusei Shūrō, before you start working, one of the following becomes required:
✅ Pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test N5 (equivalent to A1), or
✅ Complete a certified (approved) Japanese language training course
This is a new rule that did not exist under Technical Intern Training. In other words, without preparing your Japanese, it will become difficult to even come to Japan and work.
③ Stepping up and bringing your family — all of it needs Japanese
To work long-term in Japan and earn well, you need to keep improving your Japanese. The required level is set for each stage:
・Before coming to Japan (Ikusei Shūrō) … N5 (A1)
・Moving up to Specified Skilled Worker (i) … N4 (A2)
・Specified Skilled Worker (ii) — long-term work … N3 (B1)
And here is what matters: family. Under Ikusei Shūrō and Specified Skilled Worker (i), you generally cannot bring your family to Japan. To move up to “Specified Skilled Worker (ii),” which allows living together with your family, you need Japanese at the N3 level.
In other words — whether to work long-term in Japan or to bring your family, everything depends on “being able to speak Japanese.”
④ Don’t worry. With QPID, you can practice up to N5 with a tutor who speaks your own language
“Japanese seems hard…” — Don’t worry.
QPID has tutors who explain in your own language (Tagalog, Vietnamese, Indonesian, and more).
You don’t start with difficult grammar. You start by “getting used to listening” through conversation with your tutor, and you naturally become able to speak — this is QPID’s innovative way of learning. You can progress at your own pace until you reach the N5 level.
What’s more, group lessons (up to 5 people) are very affordable. Beginners are welcome.
⑤ Use the community to get a head start on “getting used to” Japanese
It’s not only lessons. In the QPID community, you can chat with friends and seniors who can speak Japanese. Touching Japanese a little every day is the fastest path to fluency. Ask questions, encourage each other — your chance to “get used to Japanese” is right here.
Registration is free. Try it free for 20 days first. 2027 is coming soon — start preparing today.