Introduction

Many foreign nationals wonder whether they can obtain the “Skilled Labor” status of residence even if they do not have enough years of work experience, for example, when they want to work as a chef or as a sports coach in Japan.
The “Skilled Labor” status generally requires a certain number of years of practical experience, but in some cases this can be supplemented by educational background or competitive achievements.
This article explains, based on official information, when “Skilled Labor” may be granted even if the applicant falls short of the standard years of experience, and what kind of alternative achievements may be accepted.

Basic outline and covered activities of “Skilled Labor”

According to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, the “Skilled Labor” status is granted to foreign nationals who engage in work requiring skilled techniques in fields that are industrially specialized and difficult to supplement in Japan, under a contract with a public or private organization in Japan.​
Typical examples include foreign cuisine chefs, sports instructors, aircraft pilots, and jewelry or precious metal processing workers.​

In official lists, the Japanese status “技能” is referred to in English as “Skilled Labor”.
It is important to understand that “Skilled Labor” is not for general unskilled labor but for specialized work that requires a high level of technical skill.​

Standard requirements for years of experience

For many “Skilled Labor” occupations, a relatively long period of practical experience is required.
According to official information and related expert explanations, the main standards are roughly as follows.

• Foreign cuisine chefs and jewelry or precious metal processing workers
  In many cases, ten or more years of practical experience are required.​
• Carpenters with foreign-specific construction skills
  A similar ten-year requirement is often applied.​
• Sports instructors
  Three or more years of experience as an instructor, or participation in international competitions such as the Olympic Games or World Championships as an athlete, may be required.​

These periods cover only the time actually spent working in the relevant field, so periods of simple labor or unrelated work do not count.

Main types of achievements that may compensate for insufficient years

Even if you do not meet the standard number of years, it may still be possible to qualify if you have certain alternative achievements.
Major examples include the following.

• Relevant educational background and major
  For example, periods spent studying cooking or related subjects at a foreign educational institution may be counted toward the required years.​
  A person who studied cooking for three years at a vocational school and then worked for seven years in the field may be evaluated as having ten years in total, depending on the details.
• Practical experience under the supervision of a highly skilled person
  In certain construction-related skills, five or more years of experience under the supervision of a worker with ten or more years of experience may satisfy the requirement.​
  The focus is whether the applicant acquired advanced skills under a highly experienced supervisor.​
• Participation in international competitions in sports
  For sports instructors, international competition experience such as participation in the Olympic Games or World Championships may substitute for the three-year instruction requirement.​
  This is a special pattern in which competitive achievements can compensate for shorter coaching experience.​

Thus, insufficient years of experience do not automatically mean that permission is impossible; the combination of work experience, education, and achievements is evaluated as a whole.

Key points: how to count and prove experience

In the examination for “Skilled Labor”, both the length of experience and the way it is proved are important.

• Whether the work periods can be counted
  Even if the resume indicates a long work history, periods in which the applicant mainly engaged in simple tasks may not be regarded as qualifying practical experience.
  It is therefore necessary to clarify whether the job content fits the activities covered by “Skilled Labor”.
• Supporting documents
  Certificates of employment, job descriptions, employment contracts, and payslips may all be examined to verify the applicant’s experience.
  If the applicant has worked for several employers, it is important to confirm whether documents for all periods can be obtained.
• Explanation of the relationship between education and work
  When counting periods of study toward the required years, documents such as graduation certificates, transcripts, and curricula are used to show that the applicant majored in relevant subjects.
  It is also helpful to explain how the fields studied relate to the actual work to be performed in Japan.

If these points are not carefully checked before applying, there is a risk that the application will be denied even though the applicant believes that the requirement is met.

Illustrative case studies

Below are general illustrative cases showing how “Skilled Labor” requirements may be approached when the years of experience seem insufficient.
They are not actual cases of any specific office, but are provided only to help understand the framework.

• Example 1: Prospective chef
  A foreign national studied Western cuisine for three years at a culinary school abroad and then worked for six years in a restaurant in their home country.
  On paper, this appears as nine years, but depending on the details of the work and the documentation, there may be room for evaluation, so careful examination on a case-by-case basis is required.
• Example 2: Prospective sports coach
  A former professional athlete has only two years of coaching experience but has participated in a world-level international competition.​
  In such a case, if the competitive achievements are properly documented, they may help compensate for the lack of coaching experience.​

In all such situations, it is better not to give up based solely on the number of years but to assess your full profile, including education and achievements, against the official standards.

Conclusion

The “Skilled Labor” status is intended for foreign nationals who will engage in work requiring highly specialized and skilled techniques that are difficult to supplement in Japan, and therefore substantial practical experience is often required.
However, relevant education, supervised experience, and competitive achievements in sports can in some cases be used to compensate for shorter work histories.

Because the examination focuses not only on the number of years but also on the nature of the work and the supporting documents, careful preparation of certificates and explanations is essential.
If you feel that your experience is insufficient, it is advisable to organize your work history, education, and achievements and to seek individual advice based on the official criteria.
Consulting a professional can help you reduce the risk of denial and choose the most appropriate status of residence and timing for your application.