INDUSTRY GUIDE | ESD & SSW

Agriculture

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

Eligible work

Crop cultivation, harvesting, sorting and livestock-related work within eligible agricultural 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

Requirements and seasonal work patterns vary between crop and livestock categories; verify the examination route and actual duties.

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

Address machinery, pesticides, animals, heat, remote work, transportation and suitable housing or welfare arrangements.

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