Miyazaki’s Nursing Care Ranks 3rd in Specified Skills (635)｜Home-Visit Services Explained

Among the 3,012 Specified Skilled Worker (i) foreign nationals working in Miyazaki Prefecture, the third largest field is Nursing Care (635 people, approximately 21%). This is the third largest after Agriculture (931 people) and Food and Beverage Manufacturing (707 people), close behind the latter. The Nursing Care field has a unique characteristic not found in other fields: there is no Specified Skilled Worker (ii) system. Furthermore, with the amendment to the public notice on April 21, 2025, engagement in home-visit services such as home care became possible under certain conditions. This article will first examine 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 specific requirements for accepting Specified Skilled Worker foreign nationals in the Nursing Care field (duties that can be performed, applicant’s examinations, joining the council, acceptance quota, requirements for home-visit services) in accordance with the operational guidelines of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and the Immigration Services Agency. The content is aimed at both nursing care businesses in Miyazaki Prefecture and foreign nationals considering working in the nursing care field.

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1. Conclusion: Nursing Care is “Third after Agriculture and Food and Beverage Manufacturing” in Miyazaki’s Specified Skilled Worker Program, with no (ii) status and conditional permission for home-visit services

First, let’s summarize the key points.

• As of the end of December 2025 (Reiwa 7), there are 3,012 Specified Skilled Worker (i) residents in Miyazaki Prefecture. By field, Nursing Care accounts for 635 people, the third largest after Agriculture (931 people) and Food and Beverage Manufacturing (707 people), making up 21.1% of the total (Immigration Services Agency “Number of Foreign Nationals with Specified Skilled Worker Status,” Table 5). The national proportion for the Nursing Care field is 17.8%, so Miyazaki is slightly higher than the national average.
• There is no Specified Skilled Worker (ii) in the Nursing Care field. This is because a path is provided for highly skilled personnel to acquire a Certified Care Worker qualification and transition to the “Nursing Care” Status of Residence.
• Foreign nationals must pass the “Care Skills Evaluation Test” + “Japanese Language Test (N4 or higher, etc.)” + “Care Japanese Language Evaluation Test.” If they have successfully completed Technical Intern Training (ii) in the nursing care profession, all these tests are exempted.
• In addition to the common requirements for accepting businesses in other fields, there are three additional requirements: ① an acceptance quota limited to the total number of full-time Japanese or other care workers per business establishment, ② direct employment only (worker dispatch is prohibited), and ③ membership in the Specified Skills and Employment for Skill Development (ESD; Japanese: Ikusei Shuro) Program Council for the Nursing Care field.
• 🆕 With the amendment to the public notice on April 21, 2025, it became possible to engage in home-visit services such as home care if certain conditions are met. However, there are multiple conditions, including completion of the training for care workers (shoninsya kensyu), at least one year of practical experience, and fulfillment of the business’s compliance matters.

2. Miyazaki’s Specified Skilled Worker in Nursing Care by the Numbers (as of end of December 2025)

2-1. By Field: Nursing Care is Third after Agriculture and Food and Beverage Manufacturing

According to the latest prefectural and field-specific statistics published by the Immigration Services Agency (as of the end of December 2025), the main fields in Miyazaki Prefecture are as follows:

Field (Specified Skilled Worker (i))	Miyazaki Prefecture	Prefectural Proportion	National	National Proportion
Agriculture	931 people	30.9%	37,952 people	9.9%
Nursing Care	635 people	21.1%	67,871 people	17.8%
Food Service Industry	707 people	23.5%	93,393 people	24.4%
Food Service Industry	203 people	6.7%	43,869 people	11.5%
Construction	199 people	6.6%	49,323 people	12.9%
Fishery	146 people	4.8%	4,590 people	1.2%
Industrial Product Manufacturing	140 people	4.6%	56,736 people	14.8%
Other (Building Cleaning, Automobile Maintenance, etc.)	51 people	1.7%	—	—

This table re-lists and adds to the field-specific statistics organized in our office’s article “Agriculture is the Most Common Specified Skilled Worker Field in Miyazaki | 931 People & Acceptance Requirements Explained.”

2-2. By Municipality: Concentrated in Miyazaki City and Miyakonojo City, with Nichinan City also ranking high

The breakdown of the Nursing Care field within Miyazaki Prefecture (number of nursing care workers / total number of workers in all fields) is as follows:

Municipality	Specified Skilled Worker (i) in Nursing Care Field	Reference: Total in All Fields
Miyazaki City	169 people	738 people
Miyakonojo City	95 people	716 people
Nichinan City	88 people	213 people
Kobayashi City	68 people	188 people
Nobeoka City	39 people	168 people
Kushima City	39 people	98 people
Saito City	36 people	113 people
Hyuga City	14 people	161 people
Ebino City	18 people	77 people
Shintomi Town	10 people	60 people
Mimata Town	10 people	33 people

2-3. By Nationality: Myanmar Accounts for Approximately 50%

Of the 635 individuals in the nursing care sector in Miyazaki Prefecture, Myanmar nationals are exceptionally numerous at 317 (49.9%), followed by Indonesia with 123, the Philippines with 70, Nepal with 49, Vietnam with 33, Sri Lanka with 18, China with 13, India with 10, and Mongolia with 2. While Indonesia (21,139 individuals) is the most common nationality in the nursing care sector nationwide, Miyazaki Prefecture differs from the national trend in that Myanmar accounts for approximately half. The top two countries (Myanmar and Indonesia) account for 69.3% of the total.

3. Duties Permitted in the Nursing Care Sector

The duties performed by Specified Skilled Worker (i) in the nursing care sector primarily involve physical care (such as assisting with bathing, eating, and excretion according to the user’s physical and mental condition). The operational guidelines explicitly state that “ancillary support duties (such as conducting recreational activities and assisting with functional training)” are also included.

While it is permissible to incidentally engage in related duties typically performed by Japanese staff (such as managing notices and replenishing supplies), the operational guidelines include a note stating, “It is not permissible to engage exclusively in related duties,” meaning that the primary duties must always be physical care and similar tasks.

Workplaces where employment is permitted are facilities recognized as having practical experience in “nursing care duties” for the eligibility requirements of the National Examination for Certified Care Workers. These must correspond to the list of eligible facilities compiled by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, such as special nursing homes for the elderly, designated day care services, designated home-visit services, and group homes for dementia patients.

4. Requirements for Foreign Nationals: Examinations, Japanese Language, and Transition from Technical Intern Training

4-1. Examinations Required for Specified Skilled Worker (i)

To reside under Specified Skilled Worker (i) in the nursing care sector, it is necessary to have passed or met one of the following:

• Care Skills Evaluation Test (skill level)
• Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese or Japanese Language Proficiency Test N4 or higher (basic Japanese language proficiency level), in addition to the Care Japanese Language Evaluation Test (on-site Japanese language proficiency level)
• Alternatively, completion of a certified care worker training facility, or completion of a four-year Period of Stay as an EPA certified care worker candidate (both are treated as equivalent to or higher than passing the above examinations)

Both the Skills Evaluation Test and the Japanese Language Evaluation Test are conducted using a Computer-Based Testing (CBT) method. The passing criteria, applicable from April 1, 2026, are 60% or more of the total score for the Skills Evaluation Test and 73% or more of the total score for the Japanese Language Evaluation Test (according to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s examination guide page).

4-2. Examinations Waived for Transition from Technical Intern Training

• Those who have successfully completed Technical Intern Training (ii) in the nursing care occupation/work are exempt from all of the Care Skills Evaluation Test, Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese (or N4), and Care Japanese Language Evaluation Test.
• Those who have successfully completed Technical Intern Training (ii) in occupations other than nursing care are exempt from the Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese and the N4 examination, but are not exempt from the Care Japanese Language Evaluation Test. It is an easily overlooked point that if transitioning from another occupation to the nursing care sector, it is necessary to take the Care Japanese Language Evaluation Test.

5. Why There Is No Specified Skilled Worker (ii) in Nursing Care

While many sectors such as agriculture and construction have Specified Skilled Worker (ii) for skilled workers, the nursing care sector does not have Specified Skilled Worker (ii). The reason for this is explicitly stated in the operational guidelines appendix.

“In the nursing care sector, highly skilled foreign nationals can reside under the Status of Residence ‘Nursing Care’ as individuals holding certified care worker qualifications, therefore, acceptance under Specified Skilled Worker (ii) will not be conducted.”

In other words, the career path for individuals with experience in the nursing care sector is not “transition to Specified Skilled Worker (ii)” but rather designed as a separate route: passing the National Examination for Certified Care Workers and transitioning to the Status of Residence ‘Nursing Care’. The Status of Residence “Nursing Care” has no limit on the number of renewals and allows for family accompaniment. The fact that zero out of Miyazaki Prefecture’s 30 Specified Skilled Worker (ii) are in the nursing care sector is due to this system design.

6. Requirements for Accepting Organizations: Three Additional Conditions Unique to the Nursing Care Sector

6-1. Acceptance Quota per Business Establishment

The number of Specified Skilled Worker (i) foreign nationals is capped at the “total number of full-time Japanese and other care workers” per business establishment. “Japanese and other” includes the following personnel:

• EPA certified care workers who have passed the National Examination for Certified Care Workers
• Those residing under the Status of Residence “Nursing Care”
• Those residing under Status of Residence based on status or position, such as Permanent Resident or Spouse or Child of Japanese National

On the other hand, Technical Intern Trainees, EPA certified care worker candidates, and international students are not included in “Japanese and other.” Furthermore, “care workers” subject to the calculation of the acceptance quota refer to “full-time staff whose primary duty is nursing care,” and administrative staff, nurses, and associate nurses are generally not included (with some exceptions, such as nursing assistants in home-visit services).

6-2. Limited to Direct Employment

Specified Skilled Worker (i) foreign nationals in the nursing care sector are limited to direct employment and cannot be dispatched as worker dispatch. This is clearly stated in the public notice for Landing standards, and violating this by dispatching or accepting dispatched workers will be considered a fraudulent act, resulting in a 5-year suspension from accepting Specified Skilled Worker foreign nationals. This differs from sectors like agriculture and fisheries where dispatch arrangements are permitted.

6-3. Joining the Council (Before Status of Residence Application)

When accepting Specified Skilled Worker (i) foreign nationals in the nursing care sector, it is necessary to become a member of the “Specified Skilled Worker and ESD Council for the Nursing Care Sector” and obtain a certificate of membership before submitting any Status of Residence applications to the Regional Immigration Services Bureau.

• From June 15, 2024, the submission of a membership certificate is required even for first-time acceptances.
• A membership certificate is usually issued approximately two weeks after the application for membership.
• There are no membership fees or annual fees.
• The validity period of the certificate is one year for the initial issuance and four years after renewal (with a transitional measure until May 31, 2027).
• Foreign national information must be registered in the Council application system within four months from the date of acceptance.

7. 🆕 Engagement in Home-visit services now possible (Effective April 21, 2025)

Until now, the work that Specified Skilled Worker foreign nationals in the nursing care sector could engage in was premised on providing services within facilities. With the revision of the public notice and operational guidelines effective April 21, 2025, engagement in home-visit services such as home care is now permitted under certain conditions.

7-1. Conditions for Engagement

The conditions for the foreign national themselves are as follows:

• Completion of the Introductory Training Course for Care Workers, etc.
• At least one year of practical experience at a nursing care business establishment, etc. (in principle)

Even with less than one year of practical experience, if the individual possesses a higher level of Japanese proficiency than required for their Status of Residence, such as N2 equivalent on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, there is an exceptional system that allows engagement by extending the period of accompanied visits (e.g., six months for weekly service provision).

7-2. Compliance Matters for Business Establishments

Accepting business establishments are required to take the following measures:

• Implementation of training on basic matters of home-visit services, life support techniques, communication, etc.
• OJT accompanied by a service provision manager, etc. (for a certain period until deemed capable of responding appropriately alone)
• Creation of a career development plan
• Establishment of a consultation services for harassment prevention, etc.
• Establishment of an emergency contact system and environment, including ICT utilization
• Written explanation to users and their families and obtaining their signatures

To confirm compliance with these matters, a separate route from the usual Status of Residence application is provided: submitting a “Report on Requirements for Home-visit Services” to the On-site Visit and Other Implementation Organization (Japan International Corporation of Welfare Services) in advance and obtaining a conformity confirmation certificate, rather than at the time of application to the Regional Immigration Services Bureau. If you are considering engaging in home-visit services at a nursing care business establishment in Miyazaki Prefecture, please note that in parallel with the Status of Residence procedures, procedures with this On-site Visit and Other Implementation Organization will also be necessary.

8. Future Outlook: Estimated Acceptance Numbers, ESD, and Test Name Changes

8-1. Estimated Acceptance Number: 126,900 over 5 years

In the sector-specific operational policy for the nursing care sector, approved by the Cabinet on January 23, 2026, the estimated total acceptance number for the nursing care sector over the five years from FY2024 to FY2028 is 160,700, of which the estimated acceptance number for Specified Skilled Worker (i) foreign nationals is 126,900, which will be operated as the upper limit for the five-year period.

8-2. ESD, starting from FY2027, also targets nursing care

The same sector-specific operational policy also targets the nursing care sector for the ESD program, which starts in FY2027, with an estimated acceptance number of 33,800 for the two years of FY2027-2028. The skill level for ESD is the “Nursing Care ESD Evaluation Test” (Introductory/Specialized levels), and the Japanese proficiency level is equivalent to A2.2 or higher of the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.” The Employment Transfer restriction period is 2 years, which is longer than for the agriculture sector (1 year). The operational policy cites as reasons that nursing care is a “person-to-person support service with continuous users,” and that continuous care by familiar staff is important for maintaining the quality of life of users. For information on the acceptance quota for ESD, please also refer to our article “ESD Acceptance Quota | Miyazaki is a “designated area” with up to 3 times the quota.”

8-3. Test names to change, current operational guidelines remain valid

The sector-specific operational policy for the nursing care sector, approved by the Cabinet on January 23, 2026, states that the names of the nursing care skill test and Japanese language test will eventually be reorganized into “Nursing Care Specified Skilled Worker Evaluation Test (Skills)” and “Nursing Care Specified Skilled Worker Evaluation Test (Japanese).” However, the Immigration Services Agency has announced that “acceptance will be possible for newly established specified industrial fields and job categories as soon as ministerial ordinances, etc., are ready.” The currently enforced separate volume of the operational guidelines for the nursing care sector (revised on April 21, 2025) is still based on the “Nursing Care Skills Evaluation Test” and “Nursing Care Japanese Language Evaluation Test.” When the switch to the new names and standards will occur will be confirmed by a revision of the separate volume of the operational guidelines. Please check the latest version at the time of application.

9. For Foreign Nationals: Things to Check Before Working in the Nursing Care Field

• Please check the latest information on eligibility requirements and examination schedules for the Care Skills Evaluation Test and the Care Japanese Language Evaluation Test on the official websites of the examination bodies (schedules differ for overseas and domestic examinations).
• If you are considering transitioning from Technical Intern Training, the scope of exempted examinations will vary depending on whether the completed Technical Intern Training falls under “nursing care occupation/nursing care work.”
• If you wish to engage in home-visit services, first confirm whether you have at least one year of practical experience and whether the business operator is proceeding with the submission procedures to the institution implementing patrol visits, etc.

10. For Accepting Companies (Nursing Care Businesses): Pre-Commencement Checklist

Check Item	Key Point
Confirmation of Number of Full-time Nursing Care Staff	This sets the acceptance cap for Specified Skilled Worker (i) foreign nationals. Technical Intern Trainees and international students are not included.
Membership in the Council	Join before applying for Status of Residence. Free of charge, takes about 2 weeks for notification. Certificate valid for 1 year initially, then 4 years upon renewal.
Employment Type	Direct employment only. Acceptance through Worker Dispatch is not permitted.
Applicant Requirements	Certificate of passing the Care Skills Evaluation Test and Care Japanese Language Evaluation Test, or proof of completion of Technical Intern Training (ii).
Plans for Home-visit Services	If planned, separately schedule prior submission to the institution implementing patrol visits, etc.
Transition from Technical Intern Training	Confirm the completed occupation/work. The Care Japanese Language Evaluation Test may be required for transitions from occupations other than nursing care.

11. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. We are accepting Specified Skilled Worker foreign nationals in the nursing care field for the first time in Miyazaki Prefecture. Where should we start?
A. First, confirm the current number of full-time nursing care staff to understand your acceptance quota. In parallel, we recommend proceeding with the membership application for the Specified Skills/Employment for Skill Development (ESD) Program Council in the nursing care field. The membership certificate is required before applying for Status of Residence.

Q2. If I have completed Technical Intern Training (ii), are all examinations waived?
A. If the completed Technical Intern Training was in “nursing care occupation/nursing care work,” all examinations, including the Care Skills Evaluation Test, Japanese language test, and Care Japanese Language Evaluation Test, are waived. For transitions from other occupations, the Japanese Basic Test and N4 examination are waived, but the Care Japanese Language Evaluation Test is still required.

Q3. Can home-visit care businesses also accept Specified Skilled Worker foreign nationals?
A. In addition to facility services, as of April 21, 2025, engagement in home-visit services is possible under certain conditions (at least one year of practical experience, fulfillment of business operator compliance matters, prior submission to the institution implementing patrol visits, etc.). However, separate procedures by the institution implementing patrol visits, etc., are required in addition to the usual Status of Residence application.

Q4. If we want foreign nationals to work in the nursing care field for a long time, can they transition to Specified Skilled Worker (ii)?
A. There is no Specified Skilled Worker (ii) in the nursing care field. For skilled personnel, there is a route to transition to the “Nursing Care” Status of Residence by passing the National Examination for Certified Care Workers.

Q5. Can we accept nursing care personnel in the form of Worker Dispatch?
A. No. Specified Skilled Worker (i) foreign nationals in the nursing care field are limited to direct employment, and acceptance through dispatch is prohibited by the public notice on Landing standards.

12. Summary: Miyazaki’s Nursing Care is a Key Field for Specified Skilled Workers; Prepare with No Specified Skilled Worker (ii) and the Liberalization of Home-visit Services in Mind

Out of 3,012 Specified Skilled Worker (i) in Miyazaki Prefecture, nursing care accounts for 635 people (21.1%), making it the third largest sector after agriculture and food and beverage manufacturing. By nationality, Myanmar accounts for about half, which is a characteristic different from the national trend. A major difference from other fields is that there is no Specified Skilled Worker (ii) in the nursing care field, with a route to transition to the “Nursing Care” Status of Residence available for skilled personnel, and that engagement in home-visit services became possible under certain conditions from April 21, 2025. Nursing care businesses considering acceptance are advised to organize their preparations before commencement, including confirming the number of full-time staff, early membership in the council, strict adherence to direct employment, and separate procedures for home-visit services if planned.

Based in Miyazaki City, our office assists nursing care businesses in Miyazaki Prefecture with both the acceptance of Specified Skilled Workers (from council membership to Status of Residence application and support plans) and the Status of Residence procedures for foreign nationals working in the nursing care field.

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This article is based on publicly available information as of September 2026. The number of foreign residents is a preliminary figure (as of the end of December 2025) published by the Immigration Services Agency. The requirements for the nursing care field, examination names, and Japanese language proficiency levels may change in the future due to revisions to the operational guidelines and public notices. For actual acceptance and application procedures, please refer to the official information from the Immigration Services Agency and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, 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

Sources (Primary Information)

• Immigration Services Agency “Publication of the Number of Foreign Nationals with Specified Skilled Worker Status, etc.” Tables 5 and 6 (as of the end of December, Reiwa 7) https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/ssw/nyuukokukanri07_00215.html
• Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare “Regarding the Acceptance of Foreign Nationals with Specified Skilled Worker Status in the Nursing Care Field” https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/newpage_000117702.html
• Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare “Policy on the Operation of the System for Status of Residence of Specified Skilled Worker in the Nursing Care Field and Policy on the Operation of the System for Employment for Skill Development (ESD) Program” (Cabinet Decision on January 23, Reiwa 8) https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/001454688.pdf
• Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare “Operational Guidelines for the ‘Policy on the Operation of the System for Status of Residence of Specified Skilled Worker in the Nursing Care Field'” (Partially revised on April 21, Reiwa 7) https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/001437709.pdf
• Separate Volume of Guidelines for Specific Fields (Nursing Care Field) Main Text and Annexed Table https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/001478721.pdf
• Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare “Regarding Foreign Nursing Care Workers Engaging in Home-visit services” https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/newpage_56271.html
• Immigration Services Agency “Key Matters Described in Field-Specific Operational Policies” https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/ssw/nyuukokukanri01_00132.html