How Much Does Post-Entry Training for Employment for Skill Development Cost? Key Points for Corporate Budgeting and Comparing Estimates

First, we will clarify the relationship between fees and the scope of training. Before comparing prices, make sure what services the quotation covers.

Point 1: Do not assume there is a uniform market rate

In the official laws and regulations reviewed, no uniform nationwide fee or average market rate could be confirmed. Determine a specific budget by obtaining a quotation based on your company’s training requirements.

A Supervising and Support Organization (監理支援機関) is an organization responsible for supervising accepting companies and supporting foreign nationals. Regulations stipulate that the training fees collected by this organization must not exceed the actual expenses.

Covered expenses include facility usage fees, honoraria for instructors and interpreters, teaching material costs, allowances, and similar costs. This regulation applies to training fees collected as supervision and support fees (Article 56 of the Enforcement Regulations).

Point 2: Distinguish Japanese language training from the entire training program

Post-entry training also includes subjects other than Japanese. Be careful not to treat a quotation for Japanese language training alone as the cost of the entire post-entry training program.

• Japanese language: This subject teaches the Japanese needed to live and work in Japan.
• General daily life: This subject teaches knowledge related to life in Japan.
• Legal protection: This subject teaches information that protects foreign nationals, including how to respond to violations of laws and regulations.
• Knowledge useful for acquiring skills: This subject helps participants acquire skills smoothly.

These subjects are stipulated in Article 13 of the Enforcement Regulations. For an overview, please also see Explanation of post-entry training under Employment for Skill Development.

When comparing costs, start by checking the scope of training covered by each quotation.

Next, we will explain how to organize expenses associated with the training. The following are the editorial team’s suggestions for preventing items from being omitted from the budget.

Step ① Break Down Each Expense Category

When reviewing the quotation, separate the training itself from related expenses. Also check whether the same expense is included in another invoice.

Not every item will necessarily incur a separate charge. It is important to clearly specify which items are included in the fee and which items the company will arrange separately.

Step ② Include the Number of People and Days in the Calculation

For each item, state the unit price, quantity, and applicable period. The budget can be organized more clearly by separating costs that increase with the number of people from shared costs such as venue fees.

In the company’s internal budget sheet, also separate amounts paid to external parties from the internal staff time required. If staff members are expected to provide transportation or coordinate communications, record that workload as well.

In the budget sheet, show a breakdown of the training fees and related expenses, and check for duplicate entries and omitted costs.

Cost sharing cannot be determined solely by contracts between companies. Here, we will review the provisions concerning passing costs on to the worker and treatment during training.

Point ① Prohibition on Passing on Supervision and Support Fees

Supervision and support fees are collected by the Supervising and Support Organization (監理支援機関) to cover the costs necessary for its operations. Training fees are also classified as one of these expense items.

Article 18 of the Enforcement Regulations prohibits imposing these costs on the worker, either directly or indirectly. Do not prepare a budget on the assumption that the supervision and support fees paid by the company will be recovered from the worker.

Point ② Checking Living Expenses and Allowances

The same article also requires measures that enable the worker to concentrate on training, such as the payment of an allowance. When arranging the training, also confirm how the worker’s living expenses will be covered during the training period.

Separate standards apply to costs that the worker pays regularly, such as food and housing expenses. The worker must agree after fully understanding the details, and the amounts must be appropriate, such as amounts equivalent to the actual costs.

Even if you plan to collect food expenses or similar costs from the worker, separate measures that enable the worker to concentrate on training are still required. Review the allowance, the provision of meals and accommodation, and the worker’s expenses together.

The company’s budget should be prepared with consideration for the prohibition on passing costs on to the worker and the worker’s treatment during training.

Even for the same number of people, the conditions for comparison will differ if the scope or schedule of the training differs. Here, we organize the information that should be standardized when requesting quotes.

Step ① Confirm the Required Training Hours

Under Article 13 of the Enforcement Regulations, the total duration of post-entry training must be at least 320 hours in principle. Different standards apply depending on pre-entry training (入国前講習) and proof of Japanese-language proficiency.

There are also conditions regarding the content and timing of the pre-entry training. Determine the required number of hours after confirming documents proving the person's training history and proficiency.

The number of hours is based on the laws and regulations published as of October 19, 2026. It is important to also check standards specific to the relevant field and request quotes based on the same training plan that meets the requirements.

Step ② Prepare a Standard Request Form

• Participants: Provide the number of people, the field in which they will work, their Japanese-language proficiency, and their training history before entering Japan.
• Scope of training: Standardize the covered subjects, required hours, implementation period, and training location.
• Implementation arrangements: Confirm the instructors, interpreters, attendance verification, and the scope of training records to be provided.
• Daily living arrangements: Clearly state who is responsible for arranging accommodation, meals, allowances, and transportation.
• Conditions for changes: Ask about responses to absences, changes in the number of participants, and postponed entry into Japan, as well as any additional fees.

When outsourcing the training, clearly define the subjects to be handled and the scope of responsibility. Criteria for selecting a provider are also introduced in How to Choose a Japanese-Language Education Provider.

Potential providers from which to request quotes can be found on the operating company's website, “JWC (Find and Compare Japanese-Language Training),” where you can search for training providers published by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (出入国在留管理庁) by region, format, and number of participants they can accept.

Compare quotes only after standardizing the participants, training plan, and scope of arrangements.

Finally, check the conditions under which the quoted amount may change and the timing of payment. Make sure that you can explain the basis for the total amount when seeking internal approval.

Point 1: Conditions Under Which Additional Charges Apply

In the quotation, clarify the items not included in the basic fee. Ask not only whether additional charges apply, but also about the conditions under which they arise and how they are calculated.

• Absences and makeup classes: Check how makeup classes are arranged and whether additional charges apply.
• Changes to schedules or the number of participants: Check the deadline for changes and the conditions for revised quotations and cancellation fees.
• Extended accommodation: Check the rate for extensions and how meal and transportation costs are handled.
• Quotation validity period: Check whether the quoted terms remain valid until the contract is signed.

Present unconfirmed expenses separately from confirmed amounts within your organization. It will be easier to make a decision if you manage the total amount under normal conditions separately from additional amounts arising from changes in conditions.

Point 2: Compare the Collection Timing with the Contract

The post-entry training fee collected as a supervision and support fee is subject to rules regarding the timing of collection. Article 56 of the Enforcement Regulations provides that it may be collected on or after the start date of the post-entry training.

This rule applies when the Supervising and Support Organization collects the fee from the accepting company or another relevant party. Distinguish this from cases such as a direct contract with an educational institution, and check who issues the invoice and what each charge is for.

In the internal approval documents, state the total amount, the payment recipient, and the scheduled month of payment. Also check whether the applicable period and any additional conditions are consistent between the contract and the quotation.

Before signing the contract, check the conditions for additional costs and the timing of collection so that you have a clear outlook for your expenses.

For post-entry training costs, it is important to compare estimates using the same scope of training and related expenses. Also check the restrictions on passing costs on to the worker and when payments will be collected.

However, the appropriate approach differs depending on the participants’ Japanese-language ability, training history, and field of employment. Even with the same number of people, the required training plan and scope of arrangements may differ.

If you are unsure how to prepare a budget or request an estimate, please organize the information about the number of people, the timing of the training, and the current status of your consideration before consulting us.