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Ikusei Shuro Replaces Technical Intern Training From 2027 — What Vietnamese Workers Need to Know

From April 2027, the Technical Intern Training program (技能実習) will be phased out in favor of Ikusei Shuro. Vietnamese — the largest group of foreign workers in Japan — are the most directly affected.

Ikusei Shuro Replaces Technical Intern Training From 2027 — What Vietnamese Workers Need to Know
  • The Ikusei Shuro scheme officially replaces Technical Intern Training from April 1, 2027, per the Immigration Services Agency.
  • The purpose changes entirely: instead of "international contribution," it now aims to train workers up to Specified Skilled Worker (i) level within 3 years.
  • For the first time, workers can request a job transfer (tenseki) on their own initiative — but only after meeting minimum tenure, test, and receiving-employer conditions.

Technical intern training is going away

The Technical Intern Training system will be replaced by a new scheme called "Ikusei Shuro" (skills development employment) starting April 1, 2027.

According to the official Immigration Services Agency website, the new system takes effect April 1, 2027 — except for a few provisions that start earlier for preparation.

A completely different purpose from Technical Intern Training

The old Technical Intern Training system's purpose was "international contribution" — learning skills in Japan to bring back home.

Ikusei Shuro, by contrast, aims squarely at training and keeping workers in Japan's labor-shortage industries. The concrete goal: through 3 years of work, reach a skill level equivalent to Specified Skilled Worker (i).

Job transfers are now allowed — with conditions

Under the old system, trainees couldn't change employers even if they wanted to. Under Ikusei Shuro, workers may request a transfer on their own initiative if they meet certain conditions.

Conditions include: having worked the field-specific minimum period (1–2 years), having passed the required skill and Japanese-language tests, and the new employer being certified as an "excellent" host organization.

Japanese-language requirements get clearer

Passing a Japanese test isn't required right at entry, but before starting work you must pass an A1-equivalent test or complete at least 100 hours of an equivalent course.

By the end of the 3-year program, workers are expected to raise their Japanese level to A2 and pass the corresponding test.

Words in this article

育成就労いくせいしゅうろう
skills development employment (new scheme)
技能実習ぎのうじっしゅう
technical intern training (old scheme)
転籍てんせき
job transfer
特定技能とくていぎのう
Specified Skilled Worker
施行日しこうび
effective date
人手不足ひとでぶそく
labor shortage

Notes

This article was checked on September 28, 2026.

Details of the scheme may still change. Before applying or planning a job transfer, always check the latest information on the Immigration Services Agency's official website.

Source: 出入国在留管理庁 (28 Sept 2026)