INDUSTRY GUIDE | ESD & SSW

Wood Industry

Eligible work, entry requirements and practical employer controls for the wood industry field under Japan’s Employment for Skill Development and Specified Skilled Worker frameworks.

Eligible work

Processing and manufacturing work using timber, including eligible sawing, drying, machining, assembly and inspection operations.

Eligibility is determined by the official work category and actual duties. A company’s general industry classification alone is not enough.

Entry and transition

Distinguish wood manufacturing from forestry and verify the precise designated work category.

Candidates may qualify through the prescribed skill and Japanese-language examinations or, where permitted, through a recognized transition route from a relevant training or development program.

Employer checklist

  • Match the written job description to the permitted work category.
  • Confirm the applicable examination or transition exemption.
  • Provide equal or equivalent remuneration and lawful working conditions.
  • Prepare workplace instruction in a language the worker understands.
  • Check field council, certification and notification requirements.

Safety and supervision

Machine guarding, saws, dust, fire, noise, chemicals, lifting and material stacking need field-specific instruction.

Keep orientation, qualification, training, incident and corrective-action records. Review actual duties whenever the workplace or production process changes.