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Of the 3,012 Specified Skilled Worker (i) foreign nationals working in Miyazaki Prefecture, the Fisheries sector accounts for 146 people (approx. 4.8%), making it the 6th largest sector. While the number itself is not large, the proportion of the Fisheries sector in Miyazaki is 4.8%, which is approximately four times the national average of 1.2%. This disparity is second only to Agriculture (Miyazaki 30.9% vs. national 9.9%), indicating that Miyazaki Prefecture accepts a large number of foreign nationals in the Fisheries sector compared to other prefectures nationwide. Furthermore, the Fisheries sector has characteristics not found in most other sectors: it is possible to accept Specified Skilled Worker foreign nationals in the form of worker dispatching, and membership in the council must be completed “before applying to Immigration”. This article will first confirm the actual situation in Miyazaki based on the latest statistics from the Immigration Services Agency (as of the end of December 2025), and then organize the requirements specific to the Fisheries sector according to primary sources from the Immigration Services Agency and the Fisheries Agency. The content is aimed at both fisheries and aquaculture operators in the prefecture, including Nobeoka City and Nichinan City, and foreign nationals considering working in the fisheries field.
Here are the key points summarized first.
💡 In short: The Fisheries sector is a field where “there is room in the acceptance quota, but the process can be halted if the initial steps are incorrect.” In particular, joining the council, similar to the Construction and Nursing Care sectors, must be completed before the application. Delaying this step will prevent the Application for Certificate of Eligibility itself. Once you decide to hire, we recommend starting with the council membership procedures through your affiliated fisheries cooperative or organization.
According to the prefectural and sectoral statistics published by the Immigration Services Agency (as of the end of December 2025, preliminary figures), the main sectors in Miyazaki Prefecture are as follows:
| Sector (Specified Skilled Worker (i)) | Miyazaki Prefecture | Prefectural Composition Ratio | National | National Composition Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture | 931 people | 30.9% | 37,952 people | 9.9% |
| Food and Beverage Manufacturing Industry | 707 people | 23.5% | 93,393 people | 24.4% |
| Nursing Care | 635 people | 21.1% | 67,871 people | 17.8% |
| Food Service Industry | 203 people | 6.7% | 43,869 people | 11.5% |
| Construction | 199 people | 6.6% | 49,323 people | 12.9% |
| Fisheries | 146 people | 4.8% | 4,590 people | 1.2% |
| Industrial Product Manufacturing Industry | 140 people | 4.6% | 56,736 people | 14.8% |
| Other (Automobile Maintenance, Building Cleaning, etc.) | 51 people | 1.7% | — | — |
| Total | 3,012 people | — | 382,341 people | — |
For the top sectors, detailed explanations are provided in Agriculture is the Most Common Specified Skilled Worker Status in Miyazaki, Food and Beverage Manufacturing Industry Ranks 2nd for Specified Skilled Worker Status in Miyazaki, Nursing Care Ranks 3rd for Specified Skilled Worker Status in Miyazaki, and Construction Ranks 5th for Specified Skilled Worker Status in Miyazaki.
The 146 individuals in the Fisheries industry in Miyazaki Prefecture account for approximately 3.2% of the 4,590 individuals in the Fisheries field nationwide. Given that the total number of Specified Skilled Worker (i) in Miyazaki Prefecture (3,012 individuals) accounts for approximately 0.8% of the national total (382,341 individuals), Miyazaki’s presence in the Fisheries field alone is nearly four times greater.
By prefecture, the largest numbers of residents in the Fisheries field are in Hokkaido (882 individuals), Hiroshima Prefecture (644 individuals), Nagasaki Prefecture (337 individuals), Saga Prefecture (293 individuals), and Miyagi Prefecture (243 individuals). Miyazaki Prefecture ranks 9th nationwide with 146 individuals.
The breakdown within Miyazaki Prefecture is as follows:
| Municipality | Fisheries Field | Total Specified Skilled Worker (i) in Municipality |
|---|---|---|
| Nobeoka City | 55 individuals | 168 individuals |
| Nichinan City | 49 individuals | 213 individuals |
| Miyazaki City | 20 individuals | 738 individuals |
| Hyuga City | 13 individuals | 161 individuals |
| Kushima City | 3 individuals | 98 individuals |
| Shintomi Town | 3 individuals | 60 individuals |
| Kawaminami Town | 2 individuals | 189 individuals |
| Miyakonojo City | 1 individual | 716 individuals |
| Total | 146 individuals | 3,012 individuals |
Nobeoka City and Nichinan City account for 104 individuals (approximately 71%) of the total. In particular, 55 individuals (approximately 33%) of the 168 Specified Skilled Worker (i) in Nobeoka City are in the Fisheries field, meaning that one in three foreign workers in the city is involved in Fisheries. Nichinan City also has a high ratio, with 49 individuals out of 213 (approximately 23%).
Specified Skilled Worker in the Fisheries field are also known for a very strong bias in nationality.
| Nationality | Miyazaki Prefecture | Miyazaki Prefecture’s Proportion | Nationwide | Nationwide Proportion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indonesia | 132 individuals | 90.4% | 3,879 individuals | 84.5% |
| Vietnam | 14 individuals | 9.6% | 572 individuals | 12.5% |
| China | 0 individuals | — | 120 individuals | 2.6% |
| Philippines | 0 individuals | — | 17 individuals | 0.4% |
| Total | 146 individuals | — | 4,590 individuals | — |
While Indonesian nationals account for 84.5% nationwide, this figure is even higher in Miyazaki, at 90.4%. While Vietnamese nationals are the largest group in many fields of Specified Skilled Worker overall, the Fisheries field is characterized by a strong bias towards Indonesia.
From the perspective of the accepting side, this point cannot be ignored. Whether the support plan can be formulated on the premise that “the majority are from Indonesia” will greatly affect the retention rate, including the language used for living orientation, consultation and complaint handling, consideration for worship and meals (halal), and securing a support system where they can consult in their native language.
There are two categories of work in the Fisheries field (Cabinet Decision of January 23, Reiwa 8, Appendix 14).
| Work Category | Content of Work |
|---|---|
| Fisheries | Work involving understanding instructions from a supervisor or making one’s own judgments to engage in tasks such as creating/repairing fishing gear, operating fishing gear/fishing equipment, processing catches, and ensuring safety and hygiene. |
| Aquaculture | Work involving understanding instructions from a supervisor or making one’s own judgments to engage in tasks such as handling aquaculture products, creating/repairing/managing fishing gear, organizing/arranging fishing gear, and ensuring safety and hygiene. |
In both categories, it is permitted to incidentally engage in “related tasks” that are normally performed by Japanese nationals engaged in those duties. The operational policy provides the following examples of such tasks:
However, it is important to note the limitation “incidentally.” If the actual work primarily involves processing and shipping after landing, with little engagement in the original category’s duties, there is a risk that such activities may be deemed not to fall under the Status of Residence.
Under the fisheries sector operational guidelines (supplement) revised by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on October 15, 2026, applicants for Specified Skilled Worker (i) must pass the following two exams:
Those who passed the former exams (the “Fisheries Skills Measurement Exam” and the “Specified Skilled Worker (i) Fisheries Skills Measurement Exam”) are deemed to have passed the new “Specified Skilled Worker (i) Fisheries Skills Evaluation Exam” (transitional measure). As proof of Japanese ability, submit a copy of the JFT-Basic result notice (hantei kekka tsuchisho) showing A2.2 equivalent or higher, or a copy of the JLPT certificate of proficiency (N4 or higher). The operational guidelines do not state when or how the new evaluation exam will be held, so if you plan to take it, please check the announcements of the exam organizer.
Following the new sector-specific operational policy approved by the Cabinet on January 23, 2026, the operational guidelines were revised on October 15, 2026, and the exam names and the way Japanese ability is expressed changed as follows (apart from the revision date, the revised guidelines state no separate effective date):
| Before the Revision | Guidelines Revised on October 15, 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Specified Skilled Worker (i) Skills Exam | Specified Skilled Worker (i) Fisheries Skills Measurement Exam (Fisheries/Aquaculture) | Specified Skilled Worker (i) Fisheries Skills Evaluation Exam (Fisheries/Aquaculture). Those who passed the former exam are deemed to have passed |
| Specified Skilled Worker (i) Japanese Language Standard | JFT-Basic or JLPT N4 or higher | “Reference Framework for Japanese Language Education” A2.2 equivalent or higher (JFT-Basic A2.2 equivalent or higher, or JLPT N4 or higher) |
| Specified Skilled Worker (ii) Skills Exam | Specified Skilled Worker (ii) Fisheries Skills Measurement Exam (Fisheries/Aquaculture) | Specified Skilled Worker (ii) Fisheries Skills Evaluation Exam (Fisheries/Aquaculture). Those who passed the former exam are deemed to have passed |
| Specified Skilled Worker (ii) Japanese Language Standard | JLPT N3 or higher | “Reference Framework for Japanese Language Education” B1 equivalent or higher (JLPT N3 or higher, only if rated CEFR B1 equivalent or higher) |
For (i), what changed are the exam names and the way Japanese ability is expressed. However, for (ii), passing JLPT N3 is not enough unless the result is rated CEFR B1 equivalent or higher. The guidelines also state that the handling of Japanese for (ii) from April 1, 2027 onward “will be announced separately.” If you employ someone aiming for (ii), check their Japanese rating with them and check the latest operational guidelines.
Those who have successfully completed Technical Intern Training (ii) in fisheries-related fields are exempt from both the skills exam and the Japanese language exam. The guidelines revised on October 15, 2026 state that this exemption will continue for the time being even after April 1, 2027. The scope of exemption is as follows:
Furthermore, regardless of the type of occupation or task, those who have successfully completed Technical Intern Training (ii) are exempt from the Japanese language exam (this also continues for the time being after April 1, 2027; if the completed occupation or task is not related to fisheries, the skills exam must still be passed; the exemption applies as they are deemed to have sufficient Japanese language proficiency for daily life after living in Japan for about 3 years).
Under the Specified Skilled Worker system, receiving organizations are generally required to directly employ workers. The fisheries sector, along with the agriculture sector, is an exceptional field where “worker dispatching” is permitted (including seafarer dispatching).
The operational policy explains the reason as follows: The fisheries sector has characteristics such as varying busy and off-peak seasons depending on the target fish species and fishing methods even within the same region, and many businesses are small-scale and located in peninsular or island areas. To meet on-site needs such as the flexible allocation of labor based on regional work fluctuations and the centralization of employment and support, dispatching is indispensable in addition to direct employment.
Even in the coastal areas of Miyazaki Prefecture, there is a mix of fisheries with limited seasons and those operating year-round. This system becomes a realistic option when it is difficult for a single business entity to maintain employment throughout the year.
When using the dispatching model, worker dispatching businesses (including seafarer dispatching businesses) that become Specified Skilled Worker receiving organizations are limited to those involved with one of the following:
In other words, general temporary staffing agencies unrelated to fisheries cannot dispatch Specified Skilled Workers to fisheries sites. In practice, local fisheries cooperatives will primarily be involved.
Furthermore, businesses that are the dispatch destinations are also obligated to provide necessary cooperation to the council and its members. Being a dispatch destination does not exempt them from involvement with the council.
Businesses accepting Specified Skilled Workers in the Fisheries field must become members of the “Agriculture Specified Skilled Worker Council.” This is one of the conditions imposed on Specified Skilled Worker accepting organizations by the operational policy.
And most importantly in practice is the timing of joining. The Fisheries Agency clearly states the following:
From June 15, 2024, when accepting Specified Skilled Worker foreign nationals in the Fisheries field for the first time, the accepting organization must join the “Agriculture Specified Skilled Worker Council” before applying to the Immigration Services Agency for the Certificate of Eligibility for the said Specified Skilled Worker foreign national.
Fisheries Agency “Acceptance of New Foreign Human Resources under the Status of Residence ‘Specified Skilled Worker'”
While some fields previously allowed “joining within 4 months after acceptance,” the Fisheries field, like the Construction and Nursing Care fields, requires joining “before applying.” If an Application for Certificate of Eligibility is submitted without having completed the joining process, it will be treated as not meeting the requirements.
The joining procedure is carried out through the affiliated organization (a national organization that is a Class 2 member or its subordinate organization), which then compiles and submits the documents to the joint secretariat. It is not a direct application by the company alone, so please first consult with your affiliated fisheries cooperative or organization. If your affiliated organization has not been decided, you will need to start by confirming this, which can sometimes take time.
Even after joining, it is required to provide necessary cooperation to the general guidance, collection of reports, requests for materials, investigations, and other guidance provided by the council and its members, and to implement measures agreed upon by the council.
The Agriculture Specified Skilled Worker Council has a Fisheries Subcommittee and an Aquaculture Subcommittee, and measures tailored to the actual conditions of the field are decided. The following three points are particularly important for businesses engaged in fishing vessel operations:
To prevent fishing vessel accidents, members are required to provide guidance and education to Specified Skilled Workers on the following matters:
The Fisheries industry has a high incidence of industrial accidents. Since insufficient communication in Japanese can lead to accidents, we recommend conducting safety education in the native language or “easy Japanese” and keeping records of it.
Regarding fishing vessel operations, there is an agreement on the number of foreign nationals per vessel as follows:
Although there are no institutional restrictions on the number of foreign nationals per accepting organization, the guideline for fishing vessels is “up to the same number as Japanese crew members, etc.” When considering an increase in personnel, please check if it is reasonable in light of this guideline.
In the Fisheries field, job changes are possible regardless of the type or scale of fishing within the scope of work categories, raising concerns about excessive concentration in specific regions or types of fishing, such as major metropolitan areas. Therefore, an agreement has been made to refrain from actively poaching and employing foreign nationals employed in other regions and other types of fishing. This is based on the premise of respecting the intentions of the foreign national themselves and the intention of the management entity that accepted Technical Intern Training (ii) to continue employment.
This does not prohibit job changes themselves. Foreign nationals are institutionally permitted to change jobs of their own free will.
When entrusting the implementation of the support plan for Specified Skilled Worker (i) foreign nationals to a Registered Support Organization, in the Fisheries field, the entrusted organization is limited to a “Registered Support Organization that conforms to the specific criteria for the Fisheries field.” Not just any Registered Support Organization will do.
Furthermore, the operational guidelines state that fisheries cooperatives or federations of fisheries cooperatives that are central to fishing activities and community activities in the region where the Specified Skilled Worker accepting organization is located should endeavor to become Registered Support Organizations. This means that local fisheries cooperatives are expected to be the providers of support.
Whether a company establishes its own support system or entrusts it to a Registered Support Organization, the prerequisite of joining the council remains unchanged.
The Fisheries sector has Specified Skilled Worker (ii). There is no upper limit to the number of times the Period of Stay can be extended for Specified Skilled Worker (ii), and if the requirements are met, accompanying family members (Spouse and Child) are permitted (for an overview of the system, please see Differences between Specified Skilled Worker (i) and (ii)).
The requirements are passing the examination in addition to practical experience.
Here, there is a practical obligation for the accepting company. The operational policy states that the Specified Skilled Worker accepting organization is required to issue a document certifying practical experience upon request from the Specified Skilled Worker. If you employ individuals aiming for Specified Skilled Worker (ii), you must keep records that can later prove “in what capacity, for what period, and what kind of work process management they were engaged in.”
The Employment for Skill Development (ESD) Program, which replaces Technical Intern Training, will begin on April 1, 2027 (Reiwa 9). The operational policy for the Fisheries sector under the Employment for Skill Development (ESD) Program stipulates the following:
For the Fisheries work category, the number of foreign nationals under the Employment for Skill Development (ESD) Program on board a fishing vessel is limited to within the number of crew members (excluding foreign nationals under the Employment for Skill Development (ESD) Program) scheduled to be on board that fishing vessel, according to the following caps:
| Form | Cap per Vessel |
|---|---|
| Independent Employment for Skill Development (ESD) | 6 people |
| Supervised Employment for Skill Development (ESD) | 6 people |
| Independent Employment for Skill Development (ESD) (if the applicant meets the criteria of Article 19, Paragraph 1, Item 2 of the Regulations) | 12 people |
| Supervised Employment for Skill Development (ESD) (if the applicant meets the same criteria and the Supervising and Support Organization meets the criteria of Article 19, Paragraph 2, Item 3 of the Regulations) | 12 people |
For the Aquaculture category, the same numbers are stipulated when the applicant is not a corporation (or when the applicant is not a corporation and the Supervising and Support Organization is a fisheries cooperative in the case of supervised type).
The difference is that while the current agreement on crew numbers (§7-2) is a “guideline,” the Employment for Skill Development (ESD) Program explicitly states the numbers in the operational policy by sector.
The estimated number of acceptances and the current number of residents in the Fisheries sector are as follows:
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Estimated number of acceptances for the entire sector (5 years from FY2024 to FY2028) | 17,400 people |
| Of which, estimated number of acceptances for Specified Skilled Worker (i) foreign nationals (5-year cap) | 14,800 people |
| Estimated number of acceptances for Employment for Skill Development (ESD) foreign nationals (2-year cap from FY2027) | 2,600 people |
| Number of Specified Skilled Worker (i) residents (as of end of June 2026, preliminary figures) | 4,912 people |
| Fulfillment rate of estimated number of acceptances | 33.2% |
| Annual increase (difference from end of June 2025) | 1,070 people |
The overall fulfillment rate for Specified Skilled Worker is 52.9%, and for the Food Service Industry, it has reached 98.1%. If the quota is filled, the issuance of Certificates of Eligibility will be temporarily suspended. The fulfillment rate of 33.2% for the Fisheries sector is low among all sectors, and it is considered that there is little concern about this for the time being.
Furthermore, a labor shortage of approximately 62,700 people is projected in the Fisheries sector by FY2028. The estimated number of accepted workers mentioned above is set to cover the remaining shortage even after efforts to improve productivity (introduction of automatic fishing machines, feeders, net cleaning robots, etc., and operational efficiency through ICT, IoT, and AI) and secure domestic human resources.
Q1. Why is worker dispatching permitted in the Fisheries sector?
A. This is because busy and off-peak seasons vary even within regions depending on fishing methods and fish species, and many businesses are small-scale and located in peninsular or remote island areas, necessitating the flexible allocation of labor within the region and the centralization of employment and support. The Agriculture sector is permitted worker dispatching for similar reasons.
Q2. Can I accept Specified Skilled Workers from a general temporary staffing agency?
A. No, you cannot. Worker dispatching businesses that become Specified Skilled Worker accepting organizations are limited to those in which local governments, fishery cooperatives, fishery production cooperatives, federations of fishery cooperatives, and other entities engaged in fishery-related operations are involved.
Q3. By when must I join the council?
A. If you are accepting workers for the first time after June 15, 2024 (Reiwa 6), it must be done before applying for a Certificate of Eligibility. The operation does not allow for joining after acceptance.
Q4. Can I work across the Fisheries and Aquaculture categories?
A. In principle, you must engage in work corresponding to the category for which you passed the exam. It is not intended for you to engage in work of a different category on a full-time basis. However, it is permissible to incidentally engage in related tasks that Japanese nationals normally perform in that category of work.
Q5. Are there any restrictions on the number of accepted workers?
A. There are no restrictions on the number of accepted workers per accepting organization for Specified Skilled Workers. However, for fishing vessel fisheries, there is a council agreement that “the total number of Technical Intern Trainees and Specified Skilled Workers per fishing vessel must be within the number of other crew members.” Under the Employment for Skill Development (ESD) Program, a cap of 6 people per vessel (12 people if certain criteria are met) will be stipulated in the sector-specific operational policy.
Q6. My Technical Intern Training occupation was “Skipjack Pole-and-Line Fishing.” Can I transfer to a purse seine company?
A. Transition to the “Fisheries” category is permitted regardless of which of the 9 tasks in the fishing vessel fishery occupation you completed, and the exam is waived. This is possible under the system. However, since the Fisheries Subcommittee has an agreement to refrain from poaching, practically, coordination with the current accepting entity is a prerequisite.
Q7. Can I bring my family if I become a Specified Skilled Worker (ii)?
A. Specified Skilled Worker (ii) has no limit on the number of Period of Stay renewals, and if the requirements are met, the accompanying of a spouse and child is permitted. However, becoming a Specified Skilled Worker (ii) requires practical experience in addition to passing the exam, and it is not something that can be transitioned to immediately from Specified Skilled Worker (i).
The number of Specified Skilled Worker foreign nationals in Miyazaki Prefecture’s Fisheries sector is 146, ranking sixth by sector. However, the 4.8% share within the prefecture is about four times the national average of 1.2%, indicating that Miyazaki’s Fisheries, particularly in Nobeoka City and Nichinan City, are indeed supported by foreign human resources. The concentration of 90% Indonesian nationals is also a unique characteristic not seen in other sectors.
In terms of the system, the three major differences from other sectors are: ① the use of worker dispatching (limited to cases where the dispatching organization involves a fisheries cooperative, etc.), ② joining the council before applying, and ③ registered support organizations must meet the specific criteria for the Fisheries sector. The acceptance quota fulfillment rate is 33.2%, leaving ample room, so there is a high possibility of acceptance if the requirements are met correctly.
The Employment for Skill Development (ESD) Program will begin in April 2027, introducing new requirements such as a cap on the number of workers per vessel and Japanese language training. We recommend that fisheries operators currently accepting Technical Intern Training workers plan for this transition now.
💴 Estimated Fee: Support fees for Specified Skilled Worker applications are listed in the “Pricelist.” The first consultation is free for up to 60 minutes via online (web conferencing system).
As an Administrative Scrivener Corporation in Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture, our office assists companies and fisheries operators in the prefecture with accepting foreign human resources.
Please feel free to use our free consultation service.
📞 To book a phone consultation: 0985-68-0851
Before you submit, let us take a look.
Free Immigration Pre-Submission Check ›
For those who will apply for a status of residence at the Immigration Services Bureau by themselves. Before you submit, we check your application form and supporting documents and tell you about any missing documents and points to watch. We accept checks online (Google Meet, about 20 minutes) or via LINE.
・Eligible: applications for a Certificate of Eligibility, change of status of residence and extension of period of stay (applications for permanent residence are accepted only from residents of Miyazaki Prefecture). Naturalization is not covered.
・Online (Google Meet): once per application. Replies via LINE: available for the same application until you submit it.
・Our guideline for replies via LINE is, in principle, within 2 business days (we are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays; replies may take longer when we are busy).
・Please send copies of your documents by LINE or email. For your residence card, send the front side only; please do not send the side showing your My Number.
・What we tell you is our office’s opinion. It does not guarantee approval; the outcome depends on the decision of the Immigration Services Bureau.
・We only point out missing documents and points to watch. We do not prepare or rewrite your application documents for you or draft text for them, and we do not tell you whether your application is likely to be approved (if you would like to engage us, we will introduce the Self-Prep Course, the Light Plan and the Standard Plan).
・If we find that a document contains information that is not true, or that the application is not your own (or a family member’s), we will decline the check.
This article is based on publicly available information as of September 2026. The number of residents is a preliminary figure published by the Immigration Services Agency (as of the end of December 2025, and the fulfillment rate is as of the end of June 2026). The requirements for the Fisheries sector, examination names, Japanese language proficiency levels, and council operations may change in the future due to revisions of notifications and operational guidelines or the operation by the Fisheries Agency. In particular, matters related to the Employment for Skill Development (ESD) Program, which begins in April 2027, may change as they will be concretized by future government ordinances and notifications. For actual acceptance and application, please confirm with the official information from the Immigration Services Agency and the Fisheries Agency or contact our office.
Author of this article: Administrative Scrivener Authorized to File Applications, Satoshi Nakayama
Representative, Administrative Scrivener Corporation Miyazaki International Legal Office
Location: Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture
