INDUSTRY GUIDE | ESD & SSW

Forestry

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

Eligible work

Silviculture, planting, tending, harvesting and other designated forest 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

Confirm the occupational category, worksite structure and required skill route for forestry acceptance.

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

Chainsaws, falling trees, steep terrain, vehicles, weather, lone work and emergency rescue require rigorous controls.

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