To work in Japan, you need a Work Visa. However, Japan has many different visa categories, and it can be difficult to understand which one is right for you. In this article, we will explain the main types of work visas available in Japan in a simple and easy-to-understand way. We hope this guide helps you find the visa that best matches your situation. ① Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) The Specified Skilled Worker visa is a work visa for designated industries that are experien

Recently, immigration screening in Japan has been becoming stricter. According to 2025 data, the number of people denied landing permission (refused entry into Japan) reached 8,546, an increase compared to the previous year. Among the various reasons, one of the most common is “suspicion regarding the purpose of entry.” What kinds of cases are common? The most common pattern is when a person claims to be entering Japan for “tourism,” but there are unnatural or suspicious poin

The number of foreign residents living in Japan reached approximately 4.13 million by the end of 2025, surpassing the 4 million mark for the first time ever. This sets a new all-time high and highlights the growing presence of foreign nationals in Japanese society. One of the biggest factors behind this increase is the expansion of the foreign workforce. According to Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the number of foreign workers reached approximately 2.57 milli

On February 6, 2026, Japan’s Immigration Services Agency revised its official document regarding the Technical Intern Training Program and newly added “towel manufacturing (towel sewing)” as an eligible occupation for transition within the program. The key point of this revision is that towel manufacturing is limited only up to Technical Intern Training Program No. 2. In the document, it is marked as “●△,” which means participants cannot transition to No. 3 status (the additi

The Japanese government has officially decided to introduce a new pre-arrival screening system called JESTA (Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization). The system will apply to short-term visitors from visa-exempt countries and is scheduled to begin operation during fiscal year 2028. JESTA is primarily intended for short-term visitors, such as tourists, and is separate from work visas and student visas used by people who plan to work or study in Japan. Travelers will