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2026-04-01
Social Insurance Coverage Expanded!
From April 2026, part-timers working 20+ hours/week at companies with 51+ employees must join social insurance (health insurance + pension).
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2026-04-01Work
🔧 3 New Fields Added to Specified Skills
Linen supply, logistics warehousing & resource recycling now eligible
+3
New fields
19
Total fields
80.5K
New cap (5yr)
1.23M
Total cap (5yr)
❓ What's changing?
From April 2026, three new fields are added to the Specified Skilled Worker program. "Linen Supply," "Logistics Warehousing," and "Resource Recycling" become eligible for SSW Type 1, expanding the total to 19 fields.
✨ The 3 new fields
Linen Supply
Laundering, finishing, and delivery of linens (sheets, towels, etc.) for hotels and hospitals
Logistics Warehousing
Sorting, picking, packing, and inventory management in warehouses
Resource Recycling
Sorting, dismantling, and recycling of waste materials
📊 Admission cap
The overall SSW 5-year admission cap expanded from 820,000 to 1.23 million (FY2024–2028). The 3 new fields have a combined cap of approximately 80,570.
🛤️ Ikusei Shuro → Specified Skills path
The transition path from the new "Ikusei Shuro" (successor to Technical Intern Training) to SSW Type 1 is now clearly defined. After completing 3 years of Ikusei Shuro and passing exams, workers can transition to SSW Type 1, with a further path to SSW Type 2.
💡 Key points to know
13 new fields from April 2026, total now 19
25-year admission cap expanded to 1.23 million
3Career path: Ikusei Shuro → SSW1 → SSW2
4Skills test and Japanese language test required for each field
🔗 Related Issues
🏥→
2026-04-01
Dependent Status Criteria Changed
From April 2026, dependent status based on projected income instead of past income. Temporary spikes won't disqualify. ¥1.3M wall remains.
👴→
2026-04-01
In-Service Old-Age Pension Cap Raised ¥500K→¥620K
From April 2026, the earnings threshold for pension reduction while working rises from ¥500K to ¥620K/month. Elderly foreign residents working and receiving pension may see higher payouts.