April 2026 Revisions: Expansion of Food Manufacturing vs. Suspension of Food Service SSW—Adding Meat Retail and the Story Behind the Cap

Introduction

In April 2026, Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) program took two diverging turns. On one hand, the food manufacturing sector expanded to include meat retailers; on the other, new SSW-1 applications in the food service sector were suspended from 13 April because the sector’s cap is being reached. These moves reveal how the government is selectively expanding SSW where processing skills are needed, while tightening entry in sectors that have hit their numerical limits.

What Changed in April 2026?

On 15 April 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture amended the criteria for the SSW food manufacturing sector to add meat retailers as an eligible industry. Public comments noted chronic labour shortages at butcher shops, and the government responded by adding the sector; the amendment took effect the same day:contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}. However, the definition limits eligibility to shops that perform food processing; stores that merely sell pre-packaged meat without any on‑site processing are not covered:contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.

Background and Practical Points for Meat Retailers

Meat retailers have struggled to secure workers because of Japan’s aging workforce and declining population. Allowing foreign workers under the SSW program should ease this strain. Nevertheless, eligibility hinges on actual processing. Before applying, businesses should confirm that:

• They cut, process or prepare meat on site.
• The worker’s main duties involve processing, not customer service or sales.
• Employment contracts and job descriptions match the actual work performed.
• They join the Food Industry SSW Council and satisfy the sector’s procedural requirements.
• Candidates can meet the skills and Japanese-language tests.

Why Food Service SSW Applications Were Suspended

The situation in the food service sector is the opposite. As of the end of February 2026, about 46,000 SSW-1 workers were already employed, and the sector was projected to exceed the 50,000-worker cap by May:contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}. Consequently, the Immigration Services Agency decided to halt new Certificates of Eligibility and change-of-status applications from 13 April 2026. According to the official Q&A:

• Applications submitted before 13 April will still be processed, but change-of-status applications from current residents take priority and delays are expected:contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.
• New SSW-1 applications received on or after 13 April are generally not accepted.
• The SSW-1 skills test for food service is suspended both in Japan and overseas, but the SSW‑2 test continues:contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
• Renewals and SSW‑2 status changes are unaffected:contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}:contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.
• There is no schedule for resuming SSW‑1 intake; reopening will only occur if there is enough room within the 50,000‑person cap:contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.

In practice, this means restaurants cannot hire new SSW‑1 workers for now. They may instead focus on retaining current SSW workers, promoting them to SSW‑2, or exploring other visa categories.

Looking Ahead and Advice

The April reforms show that Japan’s SSW program is being tuned to address specific labour shortages rather than broadened across the board. Businesses should expect further sector‑by‑sector adjustments based on labour market conditions and numerical caps. Employers in the food service industry will need to explore alternatives—such as automation, diversification of visa types or improved retention strategies—while meat retailers should ensure their operations meet the processing requirement before hiring foreign workers.

Tommy’s Legal Service offers assistance with SSW eligibility analysis, document preparation and procedural support. Feel free to contact us if you are considering hiring foreign workers under the SSW program.