Looking for jobs in Japan for Indians? Japan is short of nearly 1.5 million workers across construction, caregiving, manufacturing and hospitality, and the government has responded by opening two major visa routes to foreign talent: the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) and the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa. Together these programs now bring in hundreds of thousands of overseas workers every year, and demand keeps rising every quarter. If you are researching jobs in Japan, this guide walks through how TITP and SSW work, which industries are hiring, the language and skills tests you need to clear, and how to plan your application from India.
What Is the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP)?
The Technical Intern Training Program was created in 1993 as a skills-transfer scheme. Under TITP, trainees from partner countries work inside Japanese companies for one to five years while learning trade skills they can later use back home. The programme is supervised by the Organization for Technical Intern Training, which licenses supervising organisations and inspects host companies for fair treatment and correct wages.
What Is the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Visa?
For anyone comparing jobs in Japan for Indians, the SSW route deserves special attention. Launched in April 2019, the Specified Skilled Worker visa was designed specifically to plug labour shortages in industries the Japanese government has officially flagged as understaffed. Unlike TITP, SSW is a genuine work visa rather than a training scheme, and workers are paid the same wage as Japanese colleagues doing equivalent work. The Immigration Services Agency of Japan oversees the SSW framework and lists every eligible sector along with its testing requirements.
TITP vs SSW: Key Differences
| Feature | TITP | SSW |
| Purpose | Skills transfer / training | Genuine employment |
| Visa duration | Up to 5 years | Type 1: up to 5 yrs; Type 2: renewable |
| Family members | Not allowed | Type 1: no; Type 2: spouse & children allowed |
| Job change | Restricted to same employer | Allowed within same sector |
| Path to PR | Not direct | Possible via Type 2 |
| Language needed | Basic Japanese (varies by sending body) | JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic minimum |
Which Job Sectors Are Open Under the SSW Visa?
The Specified Skilled Worker visa currently covers 16 designated sectors where Japan has an officially recognised shortage of domestic workers. The most in-demand sectors for foreign applicants include:
- Nursing care (Kaigo) – hospitals, care homes and home-visit care
- Building cleaning management
- Construction and building work
- Machine parts and tooling industries
- Industrial machinery manufacturing
- Electric, electronics and information industries
- Automobile repair and maintenance
- Aviation ground handling and airport services
- Accommodation and hospitality
- Agriculture
- Fishery and aquaculture
- Food and beverage manufacturing
- Food service (restaurants and catering)
Which Job Types Does TITP Cover?
TITP historically covers around 90 job types spread across roughly 15 industries, with the heaviest concentration in construction, food processing, textiles, agriculture and metal or machine work. Typical TITP roles include welding, building wiring, canning and food processing, sewing and garment work, and general farming or livestock handling. Because TITP is a training scheme, your sending organisation and the host company jointly decide your placement, and you generally cannot switch employers mid-programme.
Eligibility Requirements for SSW and TITP
- Minimum age of 18, with good general health and no criminal record
- JLPT N4 or the JFT-Basic test for most SSW sectors; N3 is preferred for nursing care roles
- A passing score on the Skills Evaluation Test for your target SSW sector
- A clean medical check-up as required by the receiving employer
- For TITP, selection and registration through a licensed sending organisation in your home country
You can find full official details on the JLPT exam and JFT-Basic test schedules, plus employer-side guidance from JITCO, before you commit to a sector. Meeting these baseline requirements is non-negotiable for anyone pursuing jobs in Japan for Indians through either visa route.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Jobs in Japan for Indians via SSW/TITP
- Choose your target sector and confirm you meet the age, health and education requirements
- Start structured Japanese lessons toward JLPT N5–N4 or JFT-Basic
- Register with a licensed sending organisation (TITP) or book the Skills Evaluation Test (SSW)
- Clear the language exam and the sector skills test
- Interview with the Japanese employer or receiving organisation
- Sign the employment contract and apply for a Certificate of Eligibility
- Complete visa stamping and pre-departure orientation
- Fly to Japan and begin your role under employer or supervising-body support
Salary, Duration and Benefits
Pay varies by region and sector, but TITP trainees typically earn between ¥140,000 and ¥180,000 a month, while SSW workers usually earn ¥180,000 to ¥250,000 a month because they are paid on the same scale as Japanese staff. Both programmes include enrolment in Japan’s health insurance and pension schemes, paid leave, and overtime pay in line with local labour law. TITP runs for up to five years, while SSW Type 1 also caps out at five years — but SSW Type 2 has no upper limit and allows renewal indefinitely. These figures are a big reason so many candidates now actively search for jobs in Japan for Indians rather than settling for lower-paid roles at home.
Why Japanese Language Skills Make the Biggest Difference
JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic is the minimum bar for most SSW sectors, but in practice employers strongly prefer candidates who can already hold a basic workplace conversation, read simple kanji on safety signage, and understand instructions without a translator. This is exactly where structured preparation pays off. Our Japanese language course builds you from absolute beginner to interview-ready speaking and listening, and our detailed guide on why you should learn Japanese explains how proficiency directly widens your job options in Japan.
If you are starting from zero, our beginner’s guide to Japanese particles and our complete JLPT syllabus and exam pattern guide are good next reads, and if you are based in Delhi you can also compare options at our review of the best Japanese language institute.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between SSW and TITP?
TITP is a training programme aimed at skills transfer, while SSW is a full work visa that pays the same wage as Japanese employees and, under Type 2, can lead toward long-term settlement.
Can I bring my family to Japan on these visas?
Not under TITP or SSW Type 1. SSW Type 2 permits your spouse and children to join you once you qualify for that category.
Do I need to know Japanese to work in Japan?
Yes. Most SSW sectors require at least JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic, and employers consistently favour candidates with stronger conversational ability during interviews.
How long does the SSW/TITP application process take?
Most candidates need six months to a year to clear language and skills exams, secure an employer, and complete visa formalities, depending on how much preparation they start with.
Can SSW workers apply for permanent residency in Japan?
Not under SSW Type 1, but SSW Type 2 has no maximum stay and can eventually put you on a path toward permanent residency, subject to Japan’s standard immigration criteria.
Final Thoughts
Both TITP and SSW open genuine, well-paid pathways into Japan’s workforce, but neither forgives weak preparation. The candidates who move fastest are the ones who start their Japanese language training early, understand exactly which sector they are targeting, and treat the JLPT or JFT-Basic exam as a career investment rather than a formality. If you are ready to begin, explore our Japanese language course and speak with our team about a personalised study plan for your target sector. Whatever your target sector, treating jobs in Japan for Indians as a serious career move rather than a shortcut is what ultimately gets applications approved.