Last April, Japan started the new Specified Skilled Worker program to bring in new workers to help with the country’s labor shortage. Though test takes have generally been successful, as of November, only 1,019 have earned a visa under the new Specified Skilled Worker program. Over the next 5 years, Japan plans to welcome around 600,000 foreign workers into the country.

To reach that number, some staffing companies are rolling out campaigns to encourage candidates to take the skills exam. This February, the Restaurant and Food Service Industry and Food and Beverage Manufacturing Industry are holding specified skills exams. Connect Job is offering up to 8,000 Japanese yen to applicants who pass the exam. The incentive will be rewarded in the form of an Amazon gift card.

Sign up for their program and Connect Job will walk you through the application process for the exam. The Amazon gift card will be rewarded through your register email once you have confirmed that you passed the exam. To confirm, send the results to them by email with the title “SSW CAMPAIGN RESULT – [full name] – [city]”. The gift card is just one more reason to pass the exam, in addition to having the chance to work in Japan.

Connect Job as over 200,000 registered users and provides services to people in about 130 countries. Most of their Japanese clients are in the IT industry and there service industry.

After passing the Specified Skills Exam, you will be eligible for the new Japanese visa that will allow you to work and live in the country for up to 5 years. All you need to pass the exam is some basic industry knowledge and a little bit of Japanese language skills. Check out our beginner courses to get started! Don’t miss this opportunity to live and work in Japan.

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