In Japan, a company that accepts Specified Skilled Worker (特定技能) foreign nationals in the food and beverage manufacturing field joins the “Food Industry Specified Skilled Worker Council” (食品産業特定技能協議会) before applying to immigration for a status of residence, and attaches the membership certificate to the application. The procedure is: apply using the membership application form on the page of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), reply to the email from the secretariat with the documents attached, and wait for the review. It takes about 2 to 3 months from submitting the documents until the membership certificate arrives. For the time being, there is no admission fee or annual fee.
Companies that submit their documents on or after September 1, 2026 submit the revised written pledge (Field Reference Form No. 13-1) and, in addition, the “Written pledge on the code of conduct.”
The contents were checked on October 19, 2026 against MAFF’s council page and the Membership Application Guidebook (revised August 31, 2026), among others. Before applying, check the latest guidance on the council page. The overall picture of the field (eligible workplaces, exams, and documents for immigration) is summarized in Guide to Accepting Specified Skilled Workers in the Food and Beverage Manufacturing Field.
What is the Food Industry Specified Skilled Worker Council? Without joining, you cannot accept workers
The Food Industry Specified Skilled Worker Council is an organization set up jointly by the food and beverage manufacturing field and the food service field, and it is run by MAFF.
- Who joins: The affiliated organization of the Specified Skilled Worker (特定技能所属機関, the accepting company). If all of the support plan is outsourced to a registered support organization, that registered support organization must also be a member.
- When to join: Before applying to immigration for a status of residence (an application for a Certificate of Eligibility (在留資格認定証明書) or for Permission to change status of residence (在留資格の変更許可)). The council’s FAQ states that you cannot accept workers without joining.
- From the second worker: You do not need to join again when accepting a second or later worker. However, even within the same company, if you accept workers at a different workplace, a membership application for that workplace is required.
- Fees: For the time being, there is no admission fee or annual fee.
- After joining: Cooperate with surveys by the council and MAFF. The operational guidelines state that a company that does not cooperate fails to meet the standards and can no longer accept workers.
As step 5 of the diagram shows, the membership certificate arrives about 2 to 3 months after you submit the documents, and the immigration application (step 6 of the diagram) comes after that. Hiring and the employment contract can proceed in parallel with the review.
Sources: Created by the editorial team (based on MAFF, “About the Food Industry Specified Skilled Worker Council,” and the Membership Application Guidebook)
(Sources: MAFF, “About the Food Industry Specified Skilled Worker Council”, FAQ, Operational Guidelines (Food and Beverage Manufacturing Field))
3 things to check before applying
1 Is the workplace eligible for the field? The workplace where the foreign national works must “mainly” carry out an eligible industry under the Japan Standard Industrial Classification (food manufacturing, soft drink manufacturing, manufacturing and retail of bread and confectionery, supermarkets that manufacture food, and so on). The operational guidelines state that if the council judges a workplace to be ineligible, the company cannot hire foreign nationals, so if you are unsure you should contact MAFF before applying to join the council. How to make this judgment is explained in Specified Skilled Worker in Food and Beverage Manufacturing｜Judging Eligible Workplaces.
2 Is the workplace operating? The Membership Application Guidebook explains that before a workplace starts operating, the actual business cannot be confirmed, so it cannot join, and it should apply after it starts operating. A note on the form says that you can submit the form before the workplace starts operating, but the review starts only after it is operating. When accepting workers at a new factory or store, plan backward from when it will start operating.
3 The unit of membership. In the food and beverage manufacturing field, the principle is to join for each workplace (factory or store). If the same company accepts workers at 2 factories, it applies for each factory. General supermarkets and food supermarkets can join at their head office if the head office handles the employment management of and support for the foreign nationals.
If you also accept workers in the food service field, apply separately for membership as the food service field. Only one specified industrial field can be selected on the form.
(Sources: Operational Guidelines (Food and Beverage Manufacturing Field), Membership Application Guidebook: Food and Beverage Manufacturing Field, Membership application form (affiliated organizations of Specified Skilled Workers), FAQ)
Step 1: Fill in the membership application form
On the council page, first read the Membership Application Guidebook for the “food and beverage manufacturing field.” Then open the “Membership application form: affiliated organizations of Specified Skilled Workers (accepting organizations).” There are 19 items, and the fields that are easy to get wrong are as follows.
| No. | Item | How to fill in and points to note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Specified industrial field | Select “food and beverage manufacturing field” (only one) |
| 2 | Japan Standard Industrial Classification | Select up to 3 industries in which the foreign national works |
| 3 | Name of the affiliated organization | The corporate name (for a sole proprietor, their name) and the name of the workplace (factory or store) |
| 4 | Name of the representative | Name only, without a job title |
| 5 | Corporate number (13 digits) | Sole proprietors enter “None” (無し) |
| 6 | Labor insurance number (14 digits) | If you do not yet employ anyone, follow the note on the form |
| 7 | Company size | Choose from 6 categories based on the number of people in the whole company, including part-time workers |
| 8〜10 | Address | The address of the workplace in item 3. For a sole proprietor, the address on the resident record (juminhyo) |
| 11〜14 | Contact person’s name, phone, and email | Communications from the council come to this email address. Be careful not to make typing errors |
| 15 | Website | If none, enter “None” (無し) |
| 16 | Workplace where the foreign national works | Enter only one. The business license you submit later must be for this workplace |
| 17 | Whether the workplace is operating | “Yes” or “No” |
| 18 | Year and month you plan to apply to immigration | If you already accept workers, the past year and month you applied to immigration |
| 19 | Agreement to the rules and the membership regulations | Agree after reading the rules and the membership regulations |
Save the confirmation screen before sending; later you can compare it with the written pledge and the business license. If the message “Required items have not been selected” (必須項目が選択されていません) appears at the send confirmation, the guidance is to refresh the form page and enter the information again in the latest form.
If the accepting company cannot handle procedures on a computer, the registered support organization may enter the information on its behalf with the company’s consent. In that case, the registered support organization is asked to share the information the council sends after joining with the accepting company.
(Sources: Membership application form (affiliated organizations of Specified Skilled Workers), Membership Application Guidebook: Food and Beverage Manufacturing Field, MAFF, “About the Food Industry Specified Skilled Worker Council”, FAQ)
Step 2: Reply to the secretariat’s email with the documents attached
After you send the form, an email from the secretariat arrives within a few days (about 1 to 2 business days later, according to the guidebook). If it has not arrived after a week, check your spam folder, and if it is not there either, contact the council. Reply to that email with the following documents attached as PDFs or similar.
| Document | Workplaces that submit it | Points to note |
|---|---|---|
| Written pledge (Field Reference Form No. 13-1) | All | From September 1, 2026, use the revised form |
| Written pledge on the code of conduct (attached form to the council’s rules) | All | When documents are submitted on or after September 1, 2026. Submit one for each workplace |
| Copy of the business license | Other than supermarkets | The license for the workplace entered in item 16 of the form |
| Written pledge on supermarket work (Attachment 1 to the membership regulations) | General supermarkets and food supermarkets | A business license is not needed |
| Work contract agreement, order specifications, and organization chart of the contracted process | Contract manufacturers | Submit these in addition to the documents above |
In the body of the email, describe the work the foreign national will do, and attach 2 images of products and about 1 image each of the manufacturing and processing equipment and the exterior of the workplace (keep the files as small as possible). When replying, do not change the email subject line. The guidance says that changing the subject line may make the review take longer.
How to fill out the written pledge (Field Reference Form No. 13-1)
The written pledge is 2 pages. On page 1, write the company name and address in A in the image. The guidebook says to write them the same as items 3 (name of the affiliated organization) and 9 to 10 (address) of the form. The foreign national’s section in B can be left blank when submitting if the foreign national to be employed has not been decided yet.
Sources: MAFF, “Field Reference Form No. 13-1”
The pledged items in C are 10 items, including that the work consists of manufacturing and processing food and beverages (excluding alcoholic beverages) and ensuring safety and hygiene, that the worker will not be dispatched, that the company will cooperate with the council and MAFF, that it will explain the career-up plan in writing in advance, and that it will provide a document certifying work experience when asked.
On page 2, write the date of preparation in D and the name of the person responsible for preparing it (the representative or the person in charge) in E. No seal is needed.
Sources: MAFF, “Field Reference Form No. 13-1”
This form was revised following the public notice of April 15, 2026, which added meat retail (businesses that manufacture food) to the eligible industries. When submitting documents on or after September 1, 2026, get the latest form from the council page.
Written pledge on the code of conduct (attached form to the council’s rules)
The council’s rules and membership regulations were revised, and companies that submit documents on or after September 1, 2026 also submit this written pledge. In the food and beverage manufacturing field, one is submitted for each workplace.
The company pledges that it has read and understood the code of conduct set by the council, that it will comply with the code of conduct, and that it will not object if it is expelled from the council for a violation. The items to fill in are the date of preparation in A, the company name and workplace name in B, and the representative’s job title and name in C in the image.
Sources: MAFF, “Attached Form to the Council’s Rules”
The code of conduct has 18 items, including complying with laws and regulations and respecting the human rights of foreign nationals, creating a workplace free of discrimination and harassment, and providing treatment that matches skills and experience. Read it before filling out the written pledge.
Points to check on the business license, and when there is no license
Submit a copy of the business license for the workplace entered in item 16 of the form. The format differs by prefecture, but the guidebook asks you to check the following points.
- Expiry date: If it has expired, submit the renewed license.
- Address and name of the business premises: Does the address match items 9 to 10 of the form, and does the name or trade name match item 3?
- Business operator’s address and name: If there has been a change or succession, also attach materials showing that it was notified to the public health center.
- Type of business: Is it a type that falls within the food and beverage manufacturing field?
When there is no business license, it is handled as follows.
| Situation | What to submit or do |
|---|---|
| You have a contract manufacturing agreement | Submit the contracting documents (next heading) |
| The business is one permitted by a business notification | Submit a copy of the business notification |
| You were previously told by the public health center that neither a license nor a notification is needed | Check again with the public health center with jurisdiction, and write the name of the public health center, the name of the person in charge, the contact details, and the reason it is not needed in the body of the email |
| Before opening | You cannot join. Apply after opening |
| Other reasons | Write the reason in the body of the email |
In addition, when the council requests it, you also submit documents such as a certificate of registered matters, a copy of the articles of incorporation, and financial statements showing sales (operational guidelines).
Additional documents for supermarkets and contract manufacturing
General supermarkets and food supermarkets submit a document pledging that they will not assign the foreign national to sales work (Attachment 1 to the membership regulations). The work covered is manufacturing food in the back room.
Contract manufacturers submit a work contract agreement, order specifications (showing the details of the food manufacturing), and an organization chart of the contracted process. The organization chart shows the business that outsources the work and the business that undertakes it, and makes clear the flow of instructions from the contractor’s manager to the foreign national. “Disguised contracting,” in which the client directly instructs the contractor’s workers, counts as worker dispatch and is not allowed.
(Sources: Membership Application Guidebook: Food and Beverage Manufacturing Field, MAFF, “About the Food Industry Specified Skilled Worker Council”, Field Reference Form No. 13-1, Attached Form to the Council’s Rules, Code of Conduct, Attachment 1 to the Membership Regulations, Operational Guidelines (Food and Beverage Manufacturing Field))
From the review until the membership certificate arrives: what to do and not do during the 2 to 3 months
The guidebook states that the review starts when the documents are submitted. However, according to the council page, because of heavy demand it currently takes several weeks from sending the documents until the review starts, and about 2 to 3 months until the membership certificate is issued. Reviews are carried out in the order documents arrive, and as a rule the order is not moved forward.
- You will not be notified that your documents were received. An email comes only when there is a problem with the documents or something needs to be confirmed. If one comes, reply right away.
- If there are no problems, the membership certificate simply arrives by email.
- You are asked to refrain from inquiring about progress (including by phone) before 2 months have passed since submitting the documents.
During this time, you can proceed with hiring, the employment contract, explaining the career-up plan, and preparing the immigration documents.
(Sources: MAFF, “About the Food Industry Specified Skilled Worker Council”, Membership Application Guidebook: Food and Beverage Manufacturing Field)
How to use and keep the membership certificate
When the review approves your application, the membership certificate arrives at the contact person’s email address entered on the form. It is not sent by post.
In an immigration application, the membership certificate is submitted as the “certificate of membership in the council.” It is included in the field-specific documents (Table 3-15) for an application for a Certificate of Eligibility and an application for change of status of residence for Specified Skilled Worker (i) (特定技能1号), and it is also required for Permission to extend period of stay (在留期間の更新許可) for Specified Skilled Worker (i). If all of the support plan is outsourced to a registered support organization, also submit the registered support organization’s certificate of membership and its written pledge (Field Reference Form No. 13-2).
The guidebook asks you to keep the membership certificate safe and to hand it over when the person in charge changes. If you lose it, email the council with a certificate of all registered matters and the business license attached, and with the name, phone number, and email address of the person in charge written in the body. Reissuing takes about 1 month, so keeping a copy within the company helps you avoid a rush just before an extension application.
(Sources: Membership Application Guidebook: Food and Beverage Manufacturing Field, Operational Guidelines (Food and Beverage Manufacturing Field), List of required documents, Table 3-15 (Certificate of Eligibility), List of required documents, Table 3-1 (extension))
Membership for registered support organizations: register for both fields
Registered support organizations that support companies in the food and beverage manufacturing field or the food service field also become members of the council. They join before the status of residence application for the foreign nationals whose support is outsourced to them.
- Form: Use the “Membership application form: registered support organizations” and register for both fields, the food and beverage manufacturing field and the food service field. Applying for both fields is required even if you plan to support only one of them.
- Documents to submit: Written pledges (Field Reference Forms No. 13-2 and No. 14-2), a copy of the notice of registration (or renewal) as a registered support organization, and, if the contents of the notice have changed, a certificate of all registered matters (for a sole proprietor, the resident record). If the supported company or foreign national has not been decided yet, those sections of the written pledges are accepted blank.
- Written pledge on the code of conduct: Registered support organizations do not need to submit it. However, they are asked to read and comply with the code of conduct.
- From the second company: You do not need to join again when the number of companies you support increases.
A registered support organization that is already a member for only one field and will support foreign nationals in the other field sends the council an email notifying it of an “addition of field” (分野追加), with the written pledge for the field being added attached.
(Sources: Membership Application Guidebook: Registered Support Organizations, MAFF, “About the Food Industry Specified Skilled Worker Council”, FAQ)
Procedures after joining: changes, adding a field, and withdrawal
Even after joining, contact the council or complete a procedure in the following cases.
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| The company name, address, representative, person in charge, or email address has changed | Email the council with the membership certificate attached and the changes written in the body. For a change of company name, address, or representative, also attach a copy of the certificate of all registered matters |
| You accept additional foreign nationals | No notification is needed |
| You also accept workers in the food service field | Make a new membership application from the form as the food service field |
| You accept workers at a different workplace | Make a membership application for that workplace |
| You no longer plan to accept workers | Submit a withdrawal notice and destroy the membership certificate |
Notify the council when the person in charge changes, too. The membership regulations provide that if you do not submit a notification of change, or if the council cannot reach you, you may be deemed to have withdrawn (if contact is made, you may be able to return as a member).
A member may be expelled for reasons such as violating laws and regulations, the rules, or the pledges made when joining, or failing to cooperate with the council. Expulsions are made public and reported to the Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁).
The council also has an agreement that members will not actively poach foreign nationals working in other regions.
(Sources: MAFF, “About the Food Industry Specified Skilled Worker Council”, Membership Regulations, FAQ, Council Agreement)
The council for Employment for Skill Development is separate: from April 2027
When accepting foreign nationals under Employment for Skill Development (育成就労), which starts in April 2027, companies join the “Food Industry Employment for Skill Development Council” (食品産業育成就労協議会), which is separate from the Specified Skilled Worker council. They join before applying to the Organization for Technical Intern Training (外国人技能実習機構) for approval of the Employment for Skill Development plan.
As of October 19, 2026, the food and beverage manufacturing field has started accepting membership applications, while the food service field has not yet. Supervising and support organizations (監理支援機関) do not need to join. For the time being, there are no fees. Even if you are a member of the Specified Skilled Worker council, you must apply separately to the Employment for Skill Development council. The Employment for Skill Development system is explained in What is the Employment for Skill Development system?.
(Sources: MAFF, “About the Food Industry Employment for Skill Development Council”)
Summary and contact points
Before applying, check the following 5 points.
- The workplace is eligible for the field and is operating.
- The place of work in item 16 of the form and the workplace on the business license are the same.
- You have prepared the 2 written pledges (No. 13-1 and the pledge on the code of conduct) using the forms that apply from September 1, 2026.
- You replied to the secretariat’s email without changing the subject line.
- You apply to immigration after the membership certificate has arrived.
Public contact points when you need help are as follows.
| What you want to ask | Contact point |
|---|---|
| Council review and procedures | Food Industry Specified Skilled Worker Council Navi Dial 0570-031574 (weekdays 10:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 17:00) |
| Whether a business falls within the field, workplace requirements, and the system in general | Specified Skilled Worker Foreign Human Resources System Consultation Service (free) 03-6630-8179 (10:00 to 17:30, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, and the year-end and New Year holidays) |
| Whether a workplace is eligible for the field | New Business and International Group, New Business and Food Industry Department, MAFF 03-6744-2397 |
Check the council’s email address on the council page. The overall picture of the field is summarized in the parent article.
→ Guide to Accepting Specified Skilled Workers in the Food and Beverage Manufacturing Field
Whether a workplace is eligible and which documents are needed may vary depending on the situation of the workplace. If you are unsure, check with the council or MAFF, or consult a specialist.
Primary Sources Referenced in Article Creation
- MAFF, “About the Food Industry Specified Skilled Worker Council (Food and Beverage Manufacturing Field and Food Service Field)”
- MAFF, “Food Industry Specified Skilled Worker Council Membership Application Form (Affiliated Organizations of Specified Skilled Workers)”
- MAFF, “Membership Application Guidebook: Food and Beverage Manufacturing Field” (revised August 31, 2026)
- MAFF, “Membership Application Guidebook: Registered Support Organizations” (revised August 31, 2026)
- MAFF, “FAQ on the Food Industry Specified Skilled Worker Council”
- Food Industry Specified Skilled Worker Council, “Membership Regulations” (partially revised June 30, 2026)
- Food Industry Specified Skilled Worker Council, “Council Rules” (partially revised June 30, 2026)
- Food Industry Specified Skilled Worker Council, “Written Pledge on the Code of Conduct (Attached Form to the Council Rules)”
- Food Industry Specified Skilled Worker Council, “Code of Conduct for Achieving the Smooth and Proper Acceptance of Specified Skilled Foreign Workers”
- Field Reference Form No. 13-1, “Written Pledge on the Acceptance of Specified Skilled Foreign Workers in the Food and Beverage Manufacturing Field”
- Attachment 1 to the Membership Regulations, “Written Pledge on the Work of Specified Skilled Foreign Workers at General Supermarkets or Food Supermarkets”
- Food Industry Specified Skilled Worker Council, “Agreement on Preventing the Poaching of Foreign Workers by Affiliated Organizations of Specified Skilled Workers”
- Operational Guidelines on the Acceptance of Specified Skilled Workers in Specific Fields: Standards for the Food and Beverage Manufacturing Field (partially revised August 28, 2026)
- List of documents to be submitted for “Specified Skilled Worker (i),” Table 3-15, Food and Beverage Manufacturing (for Application for Certificate of Eligibility)
- List of documents to be submitted for “Specified Skilled Worker (i),” Table 3-1 (for Application for Permission to extend period of stay)
- MAFF, “About the Food Industry Employment for Skill Development Council (Food and Beverage Manufacturing Field and Food Service Field)”
This article is a translation of the original Japanese version.
