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9/10/2025
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Schedule of Test of "Specified Skilled (i) and (ii)" for the Food Service ※ Updated continuously
9/10/2025
OTAFF - Organization for Technical Assessment of Foreign Food Industry Workers (Quoted from official website) ＞External Link
NEWS｜Announcements
| Domestic Annual Schedule | Detailed Schedule (Category 1) | Detailed Schedule (Category 2) |
Under the amended Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act that came into effect on April 1, 2019, a new residency status called “Specified Skilled Worker” was created.
This status allows Japan to accept foreign workers with specialized skills in industries such as food service, where there is a shortage of domestic workers.
To obtain the residency status of Specified Skilled Worker (i) in the food service field, applicants must pass both the "skills test" and the "Japanese language proficiency test."
Japanese language proficiency is determined by the “JFT-Basic (Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese)” conducted by the Japan Foundation, or the “Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)” jointly conducted by the Japan Foundation and the Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES).
Skill level in the food service field is determined by the “Food Service Industry Specified Skilled Worker (i) Skills Assessment Test” conducted by the Organization for Technical Assessment of Foreign Food Industry Workers (OTAFF). OTAFF may abbreviate the test name as needed.
For applications regarding the Certificate of Eligibility for Specified Skilled Worker residence status, please contact the Immigration Services Agency of Japan. OTAFF cannot answer questions unrelated to the Specified Skilled Worker (i) Skills Assessment Test in the food service or food manufacturing fields.
2. Eligibility Requirements
Applicants who can take the Food Service Industry Specified Skilled Worker test in Japan must meet both of the following conditions on the test date:
A. Hold a valid residency status (Note 1) and be at least 17 years old on the test date.
B. Possess a passport (Note 2) issued by a competent authority of a foreign government or region designated by the Minister of Justice as cooperating in the smooth execution of deportation orders.
(Note 1) Those residing in Japan legally under Japanese law are eligible. Even those staying short-term without a residence card can take the test if they are compliant with Japanese law. Those illegally residing in Japan (e.g., overstayers) cannot take the test.
(Note 2) Currently, persons holding passports issued by foreign governments or regions other than the Islamic Republic of Iran may take the test.
(Important Notes)
■ Passing this test does not guarantee that you will obtain the Specified Skilled Worker residence status.
Even if you pass the test and apply for a Certificate of Eligibility or status change, issuance is not guaranteed.
■ Even if you obtain the Certificate of Eligibility, visa issuance is separately reviewed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and is not guaranteed.
3. Subjects and Test Format
(All exam questions are written in Japanese with furigana for kanji.)
Subjects: Two parts — Written test and Practical test Duration: 70 minutes
Format: Paper-based test (using multiple-choice answer sheets)
(1) Written Test
This test evaluates knowledge of hygiene management, food and beverage preparation and customer service, as well as the Japanese language ability necessary for the job.
| Category | Main Content | Number of Questions | Points |
| Hygiene Management | ・Knowledge of general hygiene management ・Knowledge of HACCP ・Knowledge of food poisoning, etc. |
10 questions | Full score: 40 points (@4 points each) |
| Food and Beverage Preparation | ・Knowledge of cooking ・Knowledge of food ingredients ・Knowledge of cooking equipment, etc. |
10 questions | Full score: 30 points (@3 points each) |
| Customer Service | ・Knowledge of customer service ・Knowledge of food diversity ・Knowledge of complaint handling, etc. |
10 questions | Full score: 30 points (@3 points each) |
| Total 30 questions | Total 100 points | ||
(2) Practical Test (consisting of "Judgment Test" and "Planning")
The "Judgment Test" evaluates whether the examinee can choose the correct action by looking at diagrams and illustrations. The "Planning" part evaluates the ability to use formulas to create a skill-level work plan.
| Category | Main Content | Number of Questions | Points | ||
| Judgment Test | Planning | Total | |||
| Hygiene Management | Same as written test | 3 | 2 | 5 | Full score: 40 points (@8 points each) |
| Food and Beverage Preparation | Same as written test | 3 | 2 | 5 | Full score: 30 points (@6 points each) |
| Customer Service | Same as written test | 3 | 2 | 5 | Full score: 30 points (@6 points each) |
| Total 9 | Total 6 | Total 15 | Total 100 points | ||
| Specified Skilled Worker (Type 1) Test for Food Service Industry Click here for detailed test schedules (regions, venues, times) |
For those taking the Specified Skilled Worker (Type 1) Test for Food Service Industry outside Japan Test Information for FY2025 |
| Click here for detailed test guide and schedule Click here to get more information and to schedule your test. |
◆ OTAFF (Organization for Technical Assessment of Foreign Food Industry Human Resources) ◆ ＞External Link