How to Hire Foreign Workers under the Specified Skilled Worker (i) Status in the Food and Beverage Manufacturing and Food Service Industries
When a food factory, restaurant, or other food-related business hires a foreign worker under the Specified Skilled Worker (i) status in the “Food and Beverage Manufacturing” or “Food Service” field, it is not enough for the foreign worker simply to have passed the required examinations.
The accepting company (the organization employing the Specified Skilled Worker) must also meet the requirements for the relevant field, such as operating an eligible business and joining the Food Industry Specified Skilled Worker Council.
① Difference Between “Food and Beverage Manufacturing” and “Food Service”
First, you need to determine which field the work to be performed by the foreign worker falls under.
【Food and Beverage Manufacturing】
In the Food and Beverage Manufacturing field, workers are mainly engaged in the manufacturing and processing of food and beverages (excluding alcoholic beverages), as well as ensuring food safety and hygiene.
📌 Processing raw materials
📌 Heating and sterilization
📌 Forming and drying
📌 Food processing and manufacturing
📌 Safety checks of manufacturing machinery
📌 Hygiene management of workers
A wide range of food manufacturing businesses may be eligible, including bread and confectionery, meat processing, seafood processing, seasonings, and beverages.
【Food Service】
In the Food Service field, workers are mainly engaged in food preparation, customer service, and restaurant management.
📌 Preparing ingredients, cooking, and plating
📌 Greeting customers and taking orders
📌 Serving and clearing tables
📌 Handling payments
📌 Taking reservations
📌 Restaurant management
Eligible businesses may include restaurants, cafeterias, cafés, takeout establishments, catering services, and institutional food service facilities.
② Membership in the “Food Industry Specified Skilled Worker Council” Is Required
Companies that employ Specified Skilled Workers in the Food and Beverage Manufacturing or Food Service field must become members of the “Food Industry Specified Skilled Worker Council” established by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).
📌 As of 2026, companies must join the Council before submitting an application for the foreign worker’s status of residence to the Immigration Services Agency.
Therefore, the process is as follows:
Join the Food Industry Specified Skilled Worker Council
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Complete the membership procedure
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Submit the application for Specified Skilled Worker status to the Immigration Services Agency
According to MAFF, the Council membership screening process generally takes approximately two to three months.
③ Important Points When Using a Registered Support Organization
For Specified Skilled Worker (i) employees, the accepting company may outsource the required support services to a Registered Support Organization instead of providing the support itself.
In the Food and Beverage Manufacturing and Food Service fields, the Registered Support Organization entrusted with providing support must also be a member of the Food Industry Specified Skilled Worker Council and meet other applicable requirements.
Therefore, when outsourcing support to a Registered Support Organization, it is important to confirm in advance whether the organization is a member of the Food Industry Specified Skilled Worker Council.
④ Foreign Workers Must Also Meet Skills Test and Japanese-Language Requirements
In addition to the requirements for the accepting company, the foreign worker must also meet the requirements for the Specified Skilled Worker (i) status.
【Food and Beverage Manufacturing】
✅ Specified Skilled Worker (i) Proficiency Test for Food and Beverage Manufacturing
✅ JFT-Basic or Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N4 or higher
are required.
【Food Service】
✅ Specified Skilled Worker (i) Proficiency Test for the Food Service Industry
✅ JFT-Basic or Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N4 or higher
are required.
⑤ Employment Must Be “Direct Employment”
In both the Food and Beverage Manufacturing and Food Service fields, Specified Skilled Workers must be directly employed by the accepting company.
In other words, the employment relationship must be as follows:
Accepting company, such as a food factory or restaurant
🔽
Specified Skilled Worker
⑥ Process for Hiring a Specified Skilled Worker
When hiring a foreign worker under the Specified Skilled Worker (i) status in the Food and Beverage Manufacturing or Food Service field, the general process is as follows.
STEP 1
Determine whether the work to be performed by the foreign worker falls under “Food and Beverage Manufacturing” or “Food Service.”
🔽
STEP 2
Confirm that the workplace and job duties are eligible under the relevant field.
🔽
STEP 3
Join the Food Industry Specified Skilled Worker Council.
🔽
STEP 4
Confirm that the foreign worker meets the required skills test and Japanese-language proficiency requirements.
🔽
STEP 5
Prepare the employment contract, the Support Plan for Specified Skilled Worker (i), and other required documents.
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STEP 6
Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or Change of Status of Residence.
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STEP 7
After approval, the foreign worker begins working under the Specified Skilled Worker (i) status.
For Specified Skilled Worker Applications in the “Food and Beverage Manufacturing” and “Food Service” Fields, Contact Administrative Scrivener Taro Fujita Office
💼 Taro Fujita Administrative Scrivener Office provides consultation and support to companies seeking to hire Specified Skilled Workers in the Food and Beverage Manufacturing and Food Service fields.
“We are not sure whether our company is eligible to hire Specified Skilled Workers.”
“We do not know how to join the Council.”
“We would like assistance with the entire process, including the foreign worker’s status of residence application.”
✅ Guidance on joining the Food Industry Specified Skilled Worker Council
✅ Review of employment contracts, support systems, and required documents
✅ Support for Certificate of Eligibility, Change of Status of Residence, and Extension of Period of Stay applications for Specified Skilled Worker (i)
✅ As a Registered Support Organization (Registration No. 26登-013665), we also provide support services for Specified Skilled Workers.
🌍 Checking not only the foreign worker’s eligibility but also the requirements that the accepting company must meet before applying is essential for a smooth and successful hiring process.
