What Level of Japanese Language Proficiency Is Required in the Specified Skilled Worker (Caregiving) Field?

Japan’s caregiving industry continues to face a chronic labor shortage, leading to increased acceptance of foreign workers through the Specified Skilled Worker program.

However, many may wonder: what level of Japanese language proficiency is truly required on-site? How fluent does one need to be to perform actual caregiving tasks effectively?

In this article, we will clearly explain the required language standards for working under the Specified Skilled Worker (Caregiving) visa, common challenges faced in the field, and the benefits of achieving higher levels of Japanese proficiency—all based on the latest information.

Japanese Language Requirements for Obtaining a Specified Skilled Worker (Caregiving) Visa

To obtain a Specified Skilled Worker (Caregiving) residence status, a certain level of Japanese language proficiency is required.

Specifically, applicants must pass both the Caregiving Japanese Language Evaluation Test and the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) at the N4 level or higher.

The N4 level or higher can be satisfied not only by passing the JLPT N4, but also by passing the Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese (JFT-Basic).

Both tests are designed to assess whether the candidate can understand basic Japanese used in everyday life, serving as proof that they possess the minimum language skills necessary to work in a caregiving environment.

Additional Japanese Language Requirements for Home Care Services

To work in the field of home care under the Specified Skilled Worker (Caregiving) visa, additional requirements are in place.

In principle, foreign workers must have at least one year of practical caregiving experience at a facility covered by Japan’s long-term care insurance system.

However, those who have achieved N2 or higher on the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) are permitted to engage in home care work even without prior experience.

It is important to note that even if a candidate meets the N2 requirement, they must also fulfill other conditions, such as a designated period of supervised visits and on-site training.

Average Japanese Language Proficiency Among Specified Skilled Worker (Caregiving) Candidates

Regarding the Japanese language proficiency of foreign nationals working in the Specified Skilled Worker (Caregiving) sector, approximately 79% hold a level equivalent to JLPT N3 or higher.

Only about 18.5% of workers meet the minimum requirement of N4 level, indicating that this group represents a relatively small proportion.

However, these figures include individuals who transitioned from other residency statuses, such as Technical Intern Trainees and EPA Certified Care Worker Candidates, many of whom have several years of living and working experience in Japan. This background likely contributes to their higher Japanese proficiency.

In contrast, among those who passed the Specified Skilled Worker exams overseas and entered Japan directly, approximately 41% possess N4-level proficiency, while about 59% have achieved N3 or higher.

Reference: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare｜Guidebook on Support for Accepting Foreign Workers under the Specified Skilled Worker Program
((https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/000952749.pdf))

Benefits of Having Advanced Japanese Language Skills When Working Under the Specified Skilled Worker (Caregiving) Visa

Building higher Japanese language proficiency can greatly expand the ways you work in caregiving settings and open up broader career options for the future.

Below, we explain the specific benefits step by step.

Increased Likelihood of Passing the National Examination for Certified Care Workers

The pass rate for foreign nationals taking the national examination for Certified Care Workers varies significantly depending on their level of Japanese language proficiency.

Those who have passed the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) at N1 level achieve a pass rate of 86.7%, while candidates at the N2 level have a success rate of 53.4%.

In contrast, individuals holding the minimum requirement of N4 level—as specified for obtaining the Specified Skilled Worker (Caregiving) visa—have a pass rate of only 25%.

Therefore, for those aiming to become nationally certified care workers in Japan, acquiring a higher level of Japanese proficiency is essential.

Improved Understanding of Work Instructions

The ability to accurately understand and follow work instructions is heavily influenced by one’s level of Japanese language proficiency.

At the N4 level, which is the minimum requirement for the Specified Skilled Worker visa, only 8.8% of individuals are able to fully comprehend instructions without issues.

This percentage increases significantly with higher language levels: 27.1% at N3, 41.6% at N2, and 53.8% at N1.

These figures clearly demonstrate that improved Japanese proficiency enhances communication and operational performance in the workplace.

Reference: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare｜Guidebook on Support for Accepting Foreign Workers under the Specified Skilled Worker Program
((https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/000952749.pdf))

More Employment Opportunities Become Available

While N4-level Japanese proficiency is the minimum requirement to obtain the Specified Skilled Worker (Caregiving) visa, many care facilities set their own standards and may require N3 or higher depending on the workplace.

Facilities that prioritize communication skills often seek candidates with more advanced language abilities.

In the field of home care, for example, workers are typically required to have either at least one year of practical experience or N2-level Japanese proficiency.

As a result, the higher your Japanese language skills, the broader the range of job opportunities available to you.

What Care Facilities Prioritize When Hiring Foreign Workers Under the Specified Skilled Worker Program

When utilizing the Specified Skilled Worker program to hire foreign employees, the most important factor for care facilities is Japanese language proficiency.

According to published statistics, approximately 62% of employers consider “Japanese language ability” to be a key priority—surpassing the 51% who emphasize “understanding of caregiving work.”

In comparison, about 26% of employers value “understanding of Japanese culture and customs,” while only around 6% consider “practical caregiving experience in the applicant’s home country” to be important.

These figures highlight the central role of language skills in ensuring smooth adaptation and job performance within the caregiving field in Japan.

Reference: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare｜Guidebook on Support for Accepting Foreign Workers under the Specified Skilled Worker Program
((https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/000952749.pdf))

Summary

In this article, we explained the Japanese language proficiency requirements for obtaining the Specified Skilled Worker (Caregiving) visa, the practical language level expected in the workplace, and the overall language trends among foreign care workers.

Japanese proficiency plays a crucial role in many aspects, including visa approval, workplace communication, national exam success rates, and evaluations during hiring.

For both care facilities considering the acceptance of foreign personnel and the workers themselves, promoting Japanese language education and establishing strong support systems will become increasingly important. Understanding the necessary requirements and benefits correctly, and creating an effective learning environment, will lead to the development of safe and supportive workplaces for all parties involved.

Supervisor’s Comment

Among the industries covered under the Specified Skilled Worker program, caregiving is one of the fields that demands particularly high levels of Japanese language proficiency.

Even in the face of labor shortages, it is not advisable to hire individuals who lack the necessary language skills.

For foreign nationals aiming to work in the caregiving sector, improving Japanese proficiency is essential—not only to increase their value as professionals but also to expand their chances of finding better and more rewarding workplaces.