Japan continues to expand the fields covered by the Specified Skilled Worker system. This article reviews three new fields likely to attract employer interest—linen supply, logistics warehousing and resource recycling—and distinguishes three separate dates: when a field is added, when skills testing starts, and when actual residence-status applications can be filed.
Conclusion first: three dates are not the same
For new fields, always separate: (1) addition to the covered field, (2) start of skills tests, and (3) start of residence-status applications.
1. Linen supply
Linen supply covers collecting sheets, towels and clothing used by hotels, hospitals and care facilities, then washing, finishing, inspecting and shipping them. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced that applications under SSW (i) for the linen-supply field became possible from 1 June 2026.
Main work includes receiving/sorting linen, washing/drying, finishing/inspection, bundling/shipping and incidental duties.
In principle, applicants need the sector skills test and Japanese at A2-equivalent level, subject to exemptions for certain former technical interns. As of 4 October 2026, the concrete schedule for the ordinary skills test had not been published on the official page.
2. Logistics warehousing
The field was added by Cabinet decision on 23 January 2026. Typical work includes receiving/shipping cargo, inspection, moving/storage, picking and distribution processing. The system is not open to every company that happens to operate in a warehouse; sector-specific requirements apply to receiving organizations, including registered warehousing businesses and certain contractors operating inside those warehouses.
According to MLIT, a pilot SSW (i) test had been completed by the end of February 2026 and procedures to confirm test suitability were underway. As of September 2026, the start date of the full test was still under adjustment / undecided. Testing connected with the new Employment for Skill Development system is expected from April 2027 onward.
3. Resource recycling
Also added on 23 January 2026, this field centers on intermediate processing in the waste-disposal industry: receiving and sorting waste, operating intermediate-processing equipment, recycling work and related outbound operations.
The Ministry of the Environment is preparing councils, testing and receiving arrangements with the goal of beginning acceptance during 2027. As of 4 October 2026, no concrete SSW (i) evaluation-test date had been announced.
Status as of 4 October 2026
| Field | Current status | Skills test |
|---|---|---|
| Linen supply | Applications possible from 1 Jun 2026 | Concrete general test date not yet announced |
| Logistics warehousing | Field added; system under development | Full-test start undecided as of Sep 2026 |
| Resource recycling | Acceptance targeted during 2027 | Concrete date not yet announced |
“New field” does not mean “any employer can hire”
Before recruitment, check at least: (1) whether the company is an eligible operator, (2) whether the actual duties are covered, (3) sector-specific receiving requirements, (4) skills/Japanese requirements, (5) council membership where required, and (6) the support system for SSW (i).
A proper route for work that was difficult under Engineer / Humanities
One practical significance of the new fields is that work such as warehouse sorting and picking no longer needs to be artificially described as professional white-collar work. Where SSW is the correct route, forcing the case into Engineer / Humanities creates a mismatch between status and reality.
What employers can do before testing begins
- Confirm whether the company is an eligible operator.
- Check required licenses/registrations.
- Define the actual duties.
- Check sector-council requirements.
- Decide whether support will be in-house or outsourced.
- Design domestic/overseas recruitment routes.
- Decide target headcount and timing.
Especially in logistics warehousing and resource recycling, demand may concentrate once testing opens, so employer-side readiness should be checked in advance.