What Is Pre-entry Training for Employment for Skill Development? How Roles Are Divided with Post-entry Training and What Companies Should Check

Pre-entry training is training that can reduce the required number of hours of post-entry training when completed. This section explains 3 points: its definition, subjects, and the organizations that may provide it.

Point ① Classroom-based training taken within 6 months before entry into Japan

Pre-entry training is classroom-based training conducted within the 6 months before entry into Japan (Operational Guidelines of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare).

The eligible subjects are any of the following 3.

• Japanese language: A subject for learning the Japanese needed for life and work in Japan
• General knowledge about life in Japan: A subject for learning practical knowledge about daily life, such as how to dispose of waste and traffic rules
• Knowledge useful for acquiring skills: A subject for learning about the work to be performed and the appropriate attitude toward it

Training taken more than 6 months before entry is not counted toward the hours of pre-entry training (Operational Guidelines).

Point ② There are 4 types of organizations that may provide the training

For the supervised type, pre-entry training may be provided by any of the following.

• Supervising and Support Organization (監理支援機関): An organization that supervises and supports the acceptance of workers (for the independent type, the accepting company itself)
• Contracted party: An “other appropriate person” commissioned by a Supervising and Support Organization or similar organization
• Foreign public institution: An institution of a foreign national or local government
• Foreign educational institution: An officially recognized educational institution in that country that students enter after completing compulsory education

Training provided by a foreign institution is limited to training recognized by a Supervising and Support Organization or similar organization as “equivalent to post-entry training”.

Important Point ③ Subjects on legal protection must be taught after entry into Japan

The subjects covered by pre-entry training do not include subjects concerning legal protection.

Subjects concerning legal protection must be provided for at least 8 hours during post-entry training (Operational Guidelines).

The instructor must be an expert who does not belong to the accepting company or the Supervising and Support Organization.

First, remember that pre-entry training must meet the following conditions: within 6 months, classroom-based, and covering 3 subjects.

If you complete pre-entry training, the total number of hours of post-entry training may be reduced. This section explains the categories of training hours and the roles that remain after entry into Japan.

Point ① There Are 4 Categories of post-entry training Hours

The total number of hours of post-entry training is determined by whether the person has passed an A1-equivalent examination and whether the person has completed pre-entry training (Operational Guidelines).

A1 equivalent means Japanese-language proficiency at the most basic level of the Japanese Language Education Reference Framework (日本語教育の参照枠).

The source is the Operational Guidelines. In some fields, a level higher than A1 equivalent may be required.

Point ② Roles That Remain for post-entry training

Even if pre-entry training has been completed, post-entry training itself cannot be omitted.

Under the supervised type, all 4 subjects must be completed before employment begins (Operational Guidelines).

• pre-entry training: Classroom study of the Japanese language, general daily life, and knowledge of skills before entry into Japan
• post-entry training: Study of the remaining required hours and the subject on legal protection before employment begins
• After employment begins: The accepting company provides opportunities to attend Japanese-language training aimed at achieving A2-equivalent proficiency

Details of the subjects and content of post-entry training are explained in Post-entry training under Employment for Skill Development | Summary of Hours, Content, and Implementing Organizations.

Caution ③ Both the Required Hours and Timing Are Necessary for a Reduction

A reduction is permitted only if the person completes at least the prescribed number of hours within 6 months before entry into Japan.

For a person who has not passed an A1-equivalent examination, if pre-entry training does not reach 160 hours, post-entry training remains at least 320 hours.

Because 100 hours of Japanese-language study alone is insufficient, the training hours must be planned by combining it with subjects covering general daily life and knowledge of skills.

The length of post-entry training changes depending on whether pre-entry training reaches the prescribed number of hours.

Those who have not passed an A1-equivalent examination are required to complete at least 100 hours of Japanese language training. This section explains the key points when this training is conducted before entry into Japan.

Point ①: A1-equivalent training is mandatory if you have not passed

If you cannot provide proof that you have passed an A1-equivalent examination at the time of the application for certification, you must complete at least 100 hours of A1-equivalent training (Operational Guidelines).

As a rule, A1-equivalent training must be provided through an “employment-oriented course” at an accredited Japanese language educational institution (認定日本語教育機関).

An accredited Japanese language educational institution is a Japanese language educational institution accredited by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

Point ②: A1-equivalent training can also be conducted before entry into Japan

The Operational Guidelines also permit A1-equivalent training to be conducted as part of pre-entry training.

As a transitional measure for the time being, training may also be provided by a registered Japanese language teacher (a teacher registered by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology).

In that case, all of the following requirements must be met.

• Target: A1 equivalent (or a higher level if required in the relevant field)
• Duration: At least 100 hours
• Class size: No more than 20 students may attend simultaneously per teacher
• For online training: An internet environment must be provided, and the training must be conducted simultaneously and interactively

A course at an accredited Japanese language educational institution may be completed entirely through non-face-to-face instruction if it is provided as a special Japanese language education course.

Important Point ③: When examination results are checked

Whether the A1-equivalent examination has been passed is checked at the time of the application for certification of the Employment-for-Skill-Development Plan (育成就労計画) (Operational Guidelines).

If the person passes the examination after certification but before entering Japan, A1-equivalent training after entry into Japan is not required. In this case, a notification of minor changes must be submitted to the Employment-for-Skill-Development Organization (外国人育成就労機構).

However, even if the person passes during post-entry training, the training will not fall under the 220-hour category.

For an overview of all Japanese language requirements, please also see Japanese Language Requirements for Employment for Skill Development: An Explanation of A1- and A2-Equivalent Levels.

Because you may choose to conduct A1-equivalent training before entry into Japan, plan it while also considering the likelihood of passing the examination.

To make use of pre-entry training, it is important to check the following 4 points in advance: the plan, timing, costs, and records.

Step ① Include the Training in the Employment-for-Skill-Development Plan

As a general rule, applications for certification of an Employment-for-Skill-Development Plan are accepted for cases in which Employment for Skill Development will begin within 6 months after the application. However, applications submitted before the enforcement date must generally be filed between 7 months and 5 months before the planned start date.

Even if the pre-entry training has not been completed at the time of application, the plan may be prepared on the assumption that the training has been completed, provided that it is expected to be completed before entry into Japan.

However, if the required number of hours has not been completed by the time of entry into Japan, post-entry training must be provided to fulfill the prescribed number of hours.

Step ② Determine the Timing by Working Backward from the Date of Entry

Only training taken within the 6 months immediately before entry into Japan can be counted as pre-entry training.

Because the timing of entry into Japan may change, it is advisable to allow sufficient time when setting the training start date.

Step ③ Do Not Make the Individual Pay the Training Costs

Supervision and support fees include “training fees,” which cover the costs of pre-entry training and post-entry training (Operational Guidelines).

Supervision and support fees must not be charged to foreign nationals engaged in Employment for Skill Development, either directly or indirectly.

For example, if fees paid by the individual to the sending organization (送出機関) are being passed on to the Supervising and Support Organization, this is no different from the Supervising and Support Organization collecting fees from the individual.

Contracts with the sending organization (an organization that sends workers from the local country) should also be checked in a form that clearly shows the flow of costs.

Step ④ Retain Training Records and Supporting Documents

If the training was provided by a foreign public institution or educational institution, documents certifying that the prescribed subjects were completed will be checked.

After the A1-equivalent training has been completed, the training certificate and other documents must be retained together with the pre-entry training implementation records (Operational Guidelines).

These documents must be retained by the accepting company or the Supervising and Support Organization. Deciding in advance which party will retain which documents will help avoid confusion when they are checked.

For pre-entry training, preparations should proceed with the plan, timing, costs, and records all in place.

Pre-entry training is classroom-based training in the Japanese language, general daily life, and knowledge of skills, conducted within the 6 months before entering Japan. If the prescribed number of hours is completed, the duration of post-entry training can be reduced.

However, the appropriate approach varies depending on Japanese language proficiency, the timing of entry into Japan, and sector-specific standards.

If you are unsure how to arrange pre-entry and post-entry training, please feel free to contact us below.