An additional criteria notification for the resource circulation sector has been published under the "Overview and Related Regulations of the Employment for Skill Development System."

An additional criteria notification for the resource circulation sector has been published under the "Related Regulations."

On July 28, the Central Minimum Wage Council submitted its guideline for the FY2026 regional minimum wage increase.

The list of foreign government-accredited sending organizations has been updated for Tajikistan (as of July 24) and Bhutan (as of July 28).

The Operational Guidelines for the Employment for Skill Development System relating to the wood products industry sector were published on July 21, 2026. The guidelines set out the operational rules and sector-specific requirements applicable to the wood products industry.

The Operational Guidelines for the Employment for Skill Development System relating to the automobile maintenance sector were published on July 21, 2026. The guidelines set out the operational rules and sector-specific requirements applicable to the automobile maintenance industry.

The Operational Guidelines for the Employment for Skill Development System relating to the building cleaning sector were published on July 14, 2026. The guidelines set out the operational rules and sector-specific requirements applicable to the building cleaning industry.

The Operational Guidelines for the Employment for Skill Development System relating to the linen supply sector were published on July 14, 2026. The guidelines set out the operational rules and sector-specific requirements applicable to the linen supply industry.

The Operational Guidelines for the Employment for Skill Development System relating to the food service sector were published on July 10, 2026. The guidelines set out the operational rules and sector-specific requirements applicable to the food service industry.

The list of foreign government-accredited sending organizations has been updated for Indonesia and Mongolia. Three organizations have been removed from the Indonesia list, and ten organizations have been removed from the Mongolia list.

The list of foreign government-accredited sending organizations has been updated for Pakistan and Laos (as of July 10).

In connection with the implementation of revised residence permit fees, draft amendments to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act Enforcement Order and related regulations have been published. The proposed revisions include changes to the fees for residence-related applications, and a public comment process is currently underway.

The Nagano City Development Guidance Guidelines have been revised, providing clearer criteria regarding the scope and applicability of development activities.

The list of foreign government-accredited sending organizations has been updated for Thailand. Four organizations have been removed from the list.

Effective July 1, 2026, passport application fees have been revised. Fees now differ between online and in-person applications, with online applications costing less. However, due to an increase in applications, the processing time from application to issuance has become longer than usual in Nagano Prefecture.

A bilateral memorandum has been concluded with Uzbekistan under the Employment for Skill Development System.

An additional criteria notification for the logistics warehouse sector has been published under the “Overview and Related Regulations of the Employment for Skill Development System.”

An additional criteria notification for the construction sector has been published under the "Overview and Related Regulations of the Employment for Skill Development System."

The list of foreign government-accredited sending organizations has been updated for the Philippines.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) provides financial support to agricultural corporations and other farming entities that newly hire prospective farmers under the age of 50 in order to promote workforce development in the agricultural sector.

The program consists of three categories:

(1) Employment Farming Training and Independence Support Type
(2) New Agricultural Corporation Establishment Support Type
(3) Next-Generation Farm Manager Development Type

Applications are being accepted until July 22, 2026, for agricultural corporations and related entities that newly hired prospective farmers between October 1, 2025 and June 1, 2026. Please refer to the official guidance for details.

The list of foreign government-accredited sending organizations has been updated for Bangladesh (June 16) and Vietnam (June 17). One organization has been removed from each country's list.

The list of foreign government-accredited sending organizations has been updated for Timor-Leste (June 11) and Vietnam (June 12).

Due to amendments to the Passport Act and its Enforcement Order, passport application fees will be revised for applications submitted on or after July 1, 2026. Application fees will differ depending on whether the application is submitted online or at a passport office, with online applications being less expensive.

The list of foreign government-accredited sending organizations has been updated for Pakistan (June 3) and Nepal (June 5).

A bilateral memorandum of cooperation has been established between Japan and the Kingdom of Thailand under the Training and Employment System.

The list of foreign government-accredited sending organizations has been updated for India (June 1), and one organization has been removed from the list.

To fund measures for improving the environment for travelers and promoting tourism, an accommodation tax will be imposed on persons staying at accommodation facilities located in Nagano Prefecture, including inns, hotels, guesthouses, and private lodging facilities (minpaku).

The tax amount is 200 yen per person per night during the first three years of the system. No tax is imposed when the accommodation charge is less than 6,000 yen per person per night (room-only, excluding tax). For details, please refer to the Nagano Prefecture website. (Some municipalities may impose their own accommodation tax.)

The list of foreign government-accredited sending organizations has been updated for Thailand (May 22). At this time, the organizations are treated as part of a “provisional sending organization list.”

The amended Immigration Control Act will come into effect on June 14, 2027. Accordingly, the format of Residence Cards and Special Permanent Resident Certificates will be updated, and facial photographs will newly appear on residence cards for persons aged 1 to under 16.

An additional standards notification for the Automobile Maintenance Sector has been published in the “Overview and Related Laws of the Training and Employment System.”

The list of foreign government-accredited sending organizations has been updated for Indonesia (May 7) and Bangladesh (May 8). At present, both are treated as part of a “Provisional Sending Organization List.”

The list of foreign government-accredited sending organizations has been updated for Bangladesh (May 8). At this time, the organizations are treated as part of a "provisional sending organization list."

The list of foreign government-accredited sending organizations has been updated for Thailand (May 7). At this time, the organizations are treated as part of a “provisional sending organization list.”

The list of foreign government-accredited sending organizations has been updated for Sri Lanka (May 7).
At this time, it is being treated as a "Provisional Sending Organization List."

An additional standards notification for the Industrial Products Manufacturing Sector has been published in the “Overview and Related Laws of the Training and Employment System.”

Additional standards for the agriculture and food manufacturing sectors have been published under "Overview of the Training Employment System and Related Laws."

Additional standards notifications for the forestry sector and wood industry sector under the Training and Employment System have been published.
For the wood industry sector, cooperation with the sector-specific council and compliance with designated industrial classifications, including sawmilling and wood product manufacturing, are required.
For the forestry sector, standards are established regarding requirements for applicants and instructors, occupational safety and health training hours, training for successful skill test examinees, emergency response measures, record keeping, and the maximum number of accepted workers depending on whether the organization is independently managed or supervised.

As of April 15, the standards established in consideration of circumstances specific to the food and beverage manufacturing field under the Specified Skilled Worker system (MAFF Notification) were revised. "Subclass 583 – Meat retail business (limited to those conducting food manufacturing)" has been explicitly included as an eligible category.

The list of foreign government-accredited sending organizations has been updated for Indonesia (April 17).
At present, it is treated as a ""Provisional Sending Organization List.

Additional criteria notices (Fisheries sector and Food Service sector) have been published under "Overview of the Training and Employment System and Related Laws and Regulations."

The list of foreign government-accredited sending organizations has been updated for Vietnam (April 15).
At this time, it is being treated as a "Provisional Sending Organization List."

From April 15, 2026, applicants under Category 3 or 4 may be required to submit proof of Japanese language ability (CEFR B2 equivalent) when engaging in language-based duties.

From April 15, 2026, submission of a "Declaration Regarding the Organization’s Representative" will be required for certain statuses of residence.

The list of foreign government-accredited sending organizations has been updated for Sri Lanka (April 15).
At this time, it is being treated as a "Provisional Sending Organization List."

A flowchart regarding pre-enforcement applications for supervising organizations has been uploaded to the website.
Please review it here →https://www.otit.go.jp/employment_for_skill_development/03/index.html

Information has been released regarding the payment method for pre-application fees for supervising organizations under the “Training Employment System.”
Details here → https://www.otit.go.jp/employment_for_skill_development/03/03-1/index.html

Please also refer to the Q&A.

Additional standards for the Training and Employment System have been published under “System Overview and Related Laws,” covering the building cleaning and linen supply sectors.

Additional standards were also released on April 2 for the nursing care, shipbuilding and marine engineering, and railway sectors, and on April 7 for the accommodation sector.

The issuance of Certificates of Eligibility for the Specified Skilled Worker (Food Service Industry) category has been temporarily suspended. Applications received from today onward will not be issued.

A partial revision of the operational guidelines for the Training and Employment System has been announced. A comparison table outlining the changes has been published, covering multiple revisions.

The list of foreign government-accredited sending organizations has been updated for Thailand (April 10). At this time, the organizations are treated as part of a “provisional sending organization list.”

The list of certified sending organizations approved by foreign governments has been updated for Uzbekistan (April 6) and Cambodia (April 7). However, both are currently treated as “provisional sending organization lists.”

On May 17, 2024, amendments to the Civil Code and related laws were enacted, and will come into effect on April 1, 2026. Based on the principle of prioritizing the best interests of the child, the amendments clarify parental responsibilities and introduce a joint custody system (optional) after divorce. Provisions regarding parental authority, custody, child support, parent-child contact, and property division have also been revised.

Nagano Prefecture will introduce an accommodation tax effective June 1, 2026. The tax will be imposed on guests staying at hotels, ryokan, simple lodging facilities, and private lodging (minpaku) within the prefecture based on accommodation charges.

The preferred number plate system, which allows users to choose their desired license plate number, will be extended to include small motorcycles and light motorcycles from October 2026. In addition, the design of motorcycle license plates will be updated.

The operational method for the cap on the number of Specified Skilled Workers accepted in the food service industry has been clarified.

Please check the latest information in the List of Foreign Government-Approved Sending Organizations.

Following the amendment to the Administrative Scrivener Act (effective January 1, 2026), the scope of work for Certified Administrative Procedures Legal Specialists has been expanded. A key change is that, for dispositions based on applications prepared by an administrative scrivener, a certified specialist may now represent clients in administrative appeal procedures even if they were not personally involved in preparing the original application. This strengthens one-stop support in administrative appeal proceedings.

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Heirs who acquire ownership of real estate through inheritance (including by will) are required to apply for inheritance registration within three years from the date they become aware of both the commencement of the inheritance and their acquisition of ownership. In cases where the division of inheritance has not yet been completed, a system for filing a declaration of heirs’ status (heir declaration registration) is available.