“Made in Japan” still carries enormous weight around the world. Behind that reputation are thousands of factories, from giant plants run by famous brands to small family workshops that machine a single critical part for a car, a train or an industrial robot. Many of these factories, especially small and medium ones in industrial regions, face a shrinking pool of young Japanese workers.
To help, Japan includes industrial products manufacturing as a field under the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa. It is one of the broadest SSW fields, covering metalwork, machinery, electrical and electronic assembly and more. For Indians with ITI or diploma training as fitters, machinists, turners, electricians or electronics mechanics, it is a natural route.
This guide explains how the field is organised, which jobs it includes, the skills test, the rules employers must follow, shift patterns, indicative pay and how to prepare from India.
How the Manufacturing Field Is Organised
When SSW began in 2019, manufacturing was split into three separate fields covering material processing, industrial machinery, and electrical and electronic information. In 2022 these were merged into a single field called industrial products manufacturing, overseen by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. In 2024 the field was widened again to cover additional types of manufacturing.
The merger matters to you as a worker. It means that a single SSW status can cover a wider range of factory tasks within your work category, and it gives employers more flexibility to place you where your skills fit best.
Jobs You Might Do on the Factory Floor
Depending on the company and your test category, your work may include:
- Operating CNC lathes, milling machines and machining centres
- Press work, sheet metal cutting and bending
- Casting, forging and die work
- Plastic injection moulding
- Welding of machine parts and frames
- Painting, plating and metal surface treatment
- Assembly of electrical and electronic equipment, wiring and soldering
- Machine maintenance and quality inspection using measuring instruments
You may also do related tasks, such as moving materials or packing finished products, but your main work must match your skills category.
The Manufacturing Skills Test
For SSW (i), you generally need to pass the manufacturing field’s skills evaluation test in your chosen category and show Japanese ability through JLPT N4 or above, or JFT-Basic. The skills test is usually computer-based with questions about processes, safety, measurement, drawings and quality, and some categories may include practical elements. It is conducted in Japanese, so you must learn technical vocabulary as well as everyday language.
Test rounds are held in Japan and in some other countries. Check the official organiser’s announcements to see whether rounds are available to Indian candidates and when. Workers who have completed Technical Intern Training (ii) in a matching manufacturing job are typically exempt from the tests.
Matching Indian Training to Japanese Categories
| Indian trade or qualification | Likely fit in Japan |
|---|---|
| ITI Fitter, Turner, Machinist | Machining, CNC operation, assembly of machinery |
| ITI Welder | Welding of metal parts and structures |
| ITI Electrician, Electronics Mechanic | Electrical and electronic equipment assembly, wiring, testing |
| ITI Painter (General), plating experience | Painting and surface treatment lines |
| Diploma in Mechanical / Production Engineering | Machining, quality inspection, process support |
| Plastic processing or tool room experience | Injection moulding, die maintenance |
Real factory experience, even a year or two in an Indian auto ancillary unit or engineering MSME, will give you a strong advantage both in the test and in employer interviews.
What Employers Must Do
Factories that hire SSW workers in this field must join a council set up for the manufacturing sector and follow its rules, in addition to general SSW requirements. They must pay you at least what a Japanese employee in the same role earns, give you a written contract you understand and arrange support for daily life, either directly or through a registered support organisation. Dispatch employment is not allowed in this field, so you should be hired directly by the factory where you work.
Shifts, Overtime and Allowances
Many Japanese factories run two or three shifts to keep machines operating. A common pattern is a day shift and a night shift that rotate weekly. Japanese labour law requires extra pay for overtime and for late-night work, generally at least 25 percent above the normal rate, so shift workers can earn noticeably more than the basic salary suggests. Ask the employer to explain the shift pattern, typical overtime hours and how allowances are calculated before you sign.
Factory work is precise and often repetitive. Japanese production lines place great emphasis on the 5S approach of sorting, setting in order, shining, standardising and sustaining, as well as on reporting every defect or near-miss. Adapting to this discipline is part of succeeding in the job. Supervisors appreciate workers who ask when unsure rather than guessing, because one wrong measurement can spoil an entire batch.
Indicative Monthly Pay
Pay depends on the region, company size, shift pattern and your category. Industrial regions such as Aichi, Shizuoka, Gunma, Saitama and the Osaka area have many factories, with wages influenced by local minimum wage levels. Rough, indicative gross monthly figures, with INR at about ₹0.57 per yen:
- SSW (i), day shift only: about ¥180,000 – ¥230,000 (₹1.03 – ₹1.31 lakh)
- SSW (i), rotating shifts with overtime: about ¥210,000 – ¥270,000 (₹1.2 – ₹1.54 lakh)
- SSW (ii) or experienced technician: about ¥250,000 – ¥330,000 (₹1.43 – ₹1.88 lakh)
Many companies pay bonuses, but amounts vary greatly. Tax, social insurance and rent will be deducted, and actual pay varies by employer, prefecture and experience.
Life in Japan’s Industrial Towns
Most manufacturing jobs are not in central Tokyo but in industrial cities and suburbs, often close to big automotive, electronics or machinery clusters. These towns usually have good train or bus links, large supermarkets and affordable housing. Many factories arrange company dormitories or shared apartments for foreign staff, with rent typically far lower than in the capital, often somewhere between ¥20,000 and ¥45,000 a month depending on location and facilities. Some regions already have sizeable communities of foreign workers, with international grocery shops and places of worship, which can make the first months less lonely. Owning a bicycle is almost essential, and in some areas employers provide shuttle buses for night shifts. Living costs in these towns allow many workers to send a regular amount home while still saving.
Growing into SSW (ii)
Industrial products manufacturing is among the fields where SSW (ii) is available. Moving up generally requires passing a higher-level test or an equivalent national trade skills qualification, along with experience such as leading or guiding other workers on the line. The exact requirements are set by the ministry and can change. SSW (ii) removes the five-year limit and lets your family join you, which turns a factory job into a potential long-term life in Japan.
A Practical Preparation Plan
- Pick your category based on your actual trade, not on what an agent says is “easy”.
- Study Japanese for six to ten months to N4 or JFT-Basic level, with a focus on numbers, measurements and safety words.
- Learn to read basic technical drawings with Japanese labels and practise unit conversions.
- Work through the official test study materials and sample questions.
- Collect ITI certificates, NCVT or SCVT documents and experience letters describing machines you have operated.
- After passing, approach employers through registered agencies or official cooperation channels only.
Protect Yourself from Factory Job Scams
Common scams include fake “factory visas” that skip testing, demands for large deposits and offers that turn out to be unregulated dispatch work. Remember that SSW manufacturing jobs require tests and direct employment. Never surrender your passport and never pay unregistered agents. Before you commit, verify current field rules, test schedules and visa procedures with official sources such as the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Japanese embassy in India.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is factory work in Japan very physical?
It varies. Assembly and inspection are lighter, while casting, forging and heavy machining are more physical. Most factories are well organised and safety-focused.
Can I change factories after arriving?
Yes, within the same field and category, provided the new employer meets the requirements and immigration procedures are followed.
Are night shifts compulsory?
That depends on the employer. Many factories use rotating shifts, so ask before you accept an offer.
Do I need ITI certification?
It is not legally required, since eligibility is test-based, but ITI training and experience make passing the test much easier.
Is welding covered in this field?
Welding can be part of industrial products manufacturing. Shipbuilding has its own separate field with welding categories too.
Final Thoughts on Factory Careers
Japanese manufacturing rewards precision, discipline and steady improvement, qualities that many Indian technicians already have. With the right category, solid Japanese and a carefully checked employer, a factory job in Japan can build both your savings and your technical career.
The money figures mentioned in this guide to factory jobs in Japan are indicative and based on commonly reported amounts. They change over time, so confirm current figures with the employer or the Specified Skilled Worker Support Website listed under Helpful Links.