Which Specified Skilled Worker Fields Are Most Popular in Japan? Ranking, Capacity Limits, and Practical Points

The “popular fields” under Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker system are not determined only by applicants’ preferences. Employers should also consider labor shortages, transition routes from Technical Intern Training, test systems, job availability, and capacity limits.

1. The number of SSW residents has reached a record level

According to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, as of the end of December 2025, the total number of foreign residents under the Specified Skilled Worker status was 390,296. This includes 382,341 SSW No. 1 residents and 7,955 SSW No. 2 residents.

These figures show that the SSW system has become an important status of residence for industries facing labor shortages in Japan.

2. Ranking by number of SSW No. 1 residents

The largest SSW No. 1 fields are as follows.

3. “Popular” does not always mean “easy to apply”

When considering SSW recruitment, employers should not rely only on the number of workers in each field.

• Fields that are popular among foreign applicants
• Fields with many job openings from Japanese employers
• Fields where transition from Technical Intern Training is common
• Fields with more accessible test opportunities
• Fields that still have sufficient room under their capacity limits

These are different viewpoints. Even if a field has many workers, employers should carefully check capacity limits, field eligibility, and supporting documents before filing an application.

4. Why food and beverage manufacturing is the largest field

Food and beverage manufacturing is the largest SSW No. 1 field. It includes a wide range of workplaces such as food factories, processed food production, frozen food production, prepared meals, beverages, and confectionery manufacturing.

Compared with food service, some workplaces may require less direct customer communication in Japanese. The job content is also relatively easy to explain to applicants, and the field is often compatible with transitions from Technical Intern Training.

5. Caregiving has strong demand, but suitability must be checked

Caregiving is the second-largest SSW No. 1 field. Due to Japan’s aging population, demand for care workers remains strong.

However, passing the required tests is not enough. Employers should carefully check care-related Japanese ability, communication with residents, physical care tasks, night shifts, and the facility’s training system.

6. Manufacturing and construction require both demand analysis and legal checks

Industrial product manufacturing is likely to remain one of the major SSW fields because Japan’s manufacturing sector is broad and many workers have relevant experience.

Construction also has strong labor demand and can be attractive for experienced workers. However, construction cases often require more detailed checks, including work categories, acceptance plans, the Construction Career Up System, safety management, and subcontracting relationships.

7. Food service is popular, but the capacity limit is critical

Food service is a familiar and attractive field for many foreign workers, especially those with experience working part-time at restaurants while studying in Japan. It is also a field with many employers, especially in urban areas.

However, the Immigration Services Agency announced that the number of SSW No. 1 residents in the food service field was approximately 46,000 as of the end of February 2026 and was expected to exceed the capacity limit of 50,000 around May 2026. As a result, Certificate of Eligibility applications for SSW No. 1 in the food service field accepted on or after April 13, 2026 are to be refused.

8. Fields that may grow in the future

Some fields currently have small numbers but may grow as the system develops. These include automobile transportation, railway, forestry, and timber industry.

Automobile transportation, in particular, is connected to labor shortages in buses, taxis, and trucks. However, this field requires more than simply finding workers. Japanese driving licenses, safety communication, passenger handling, and accident-prevention training are crucial.

9. What employers should check before choosing a field

Before recruiting or hiring a candidate under the SSW system, employers should check at least the following points.

• Whether the actual job duties fall within an eligible SSW field
• Whether the candidate meets the skill test and Japanese-language requirements
• For transitions from Technical Intern Training, whether the completed work category is eligible
• Whether the employer’s support system, employment conditions, and compliance status are appropriate
• Whether field-specific councils, additional requirements, or capacity-limit rules apply

The SSW system is not simply a system for hiring workers because a company is short-staffed. Employers should review the case from four perspectives: the applicant, the employer, the supporting documents, and the latest immigration examination trends.

10. Conclusion

The largest SSW fields are food and beverage manufacturing, caregiving, industrial product manufacturing, construction, food service, and agriculture. These are major fields with strong labor demand in Japan.

However, having many workers does not mean that a field is always easy for new applications. Food service is a clear example of a popular field where capacity-limit handling has become critical.

Before hiring foreign workers under the SSW system, employers should check field eligibility, test requirements, support systems, and the latest capacity-limit rules.