SSW Construction Japanese Language Requirements

SSW(i) construction requires JFT-Basic A2.2 or JLPT N4+, plus the Construction Field Specified Skilled Worker (i) Evaluation Test or accepted Skill Test Level 3 unless exempt. JAC says both written and practical parts require at least 65 percent correct.

Candidates must choose the civil engineering, architecture, or infrastructure facilities/equipment category matching the job.

Key takeaways

• SSW(i) accepts JFT-Basic A2.2 or JLPT N4+.
• JFT-Basic A2.2 begins at 200/250.
• The construction skills test is separate.
• Current test categories are civil engineering, architecture and infrastructure facilities/equipment.
• Written and practical parts each require 65 percent.
• The examination and official study texts use Japanese.
• Relevant Technical Intern Training can create exemptions.
• SSW(ii) uses advanced skill/experience evidence without a listed language test.

In this guide: SSW(i) · tests · categories · pass rule · exemptions · SSW(ii) · application · research

SSW(i) construction language requirement

JAC's construction system guidance names:

• JFT-Basic or JLPT N4 or higher.
• Construction Field SSW(i) Evaluation Test or Skill Test Level 3.

The language and skills evidence answer different questions. N4 does not prove construction competence, while a practical construction pass does not replace Japanese evidence.

Read specified skilled worker Japanese requirements and Japanese requirements for construction jobs.

Accepted Japanese tests

JFT-Basic A2.2

SSW(i) needs A2.2, beginning at 200/250. A1 and A2.1 do not meet this route level.

Use JFT-Basic passing scores, registration, and results.

JLPT N4 or higher

JLPT N4, N3, N2 or N1 passes can satisfy the named language condition. N4 requires 90 overall plus both section minimums.

Use the JLPT N4 guide, N3 guide, and JLPT score report guide.

Other certificates

Do not substitute NAT-TEST, J.TEST or another mapped test unless the authority explicitly accepts it for the route.

Construction skills test categories

Current SSW(i) categories are:

1. Civil engineering.
2. Architecture.
3. Infrastructure facilities and equipment.

JAC publishes official subject and practical study texts plus sample questions for each category. The materials are in Japanese and should be the primary study source.

Category selection controls the eligible work scope. Passing architecture does not automatically prove civil-engineering or equipment-installation skills.

The SSW(i) test level is described as equivalent to Skill Test Level 3, representing knowledge and skills expected of an entry skilled worker.

Written and practical pass rules

JAC's FAQ says the SSW(i) evaluation contains written and practical questions and requires at least 65 percent correct in both.

Do not average a strong written result with a failed practical result. Prepare both.

Study sequence:

1. Read the category text.
2. Build Japanese technical vocabulary.
3. Complete official written samples.
4. Study illustrated practical procedures.
5. Explain safety reasoning aloud.
6. Repeat timed practice.

Prometric booking and fees

Current construction tests are delivered through Prometric for the listed sessions. Prometric's fee table shows examples:

Check live fees, centers, identity rules and reservation dates. A low fee does not imply unlimited seats.

Use one accurate Prometric ID and keep the language and skills result records separate.

Technical Intern Training exemptions

JAC explains that workers who successfully completed Technical Intern Training (ii) can move to SSW(i) without the examination route under applicable conditions.

Confirm:

• Program was successfully completed.
• Occupation/category matches where needed.
• Evaluation or completion records are available.
• Accepting organization has verified the exemption.

Do not infer exemption from informal construction experience or incomplete training.

SSW(ii) construction

JAC's current SSW(ii) guidance requires advanced field ability through the SSW(ii) evaluation or Skill Test Level 1 and qualifying team-leader experience supervising multiple workers and managing process.

The page says there is no Japanese-language examination requirement for obtaining SSW(ii). That is not a statement that Japanese is unnecessary. Foremen must communicate safety, scheduling, quality and corrective action.

Prometric's current Japan fee table lists JPY 1,000 for the SSW(ii) construction evaluation. Recheck live information.

After passing

1. Find an eligible construction employer.
2. Confirm category and actual duties.
3. Pass the interview.
4. Review written wage, site, hours and deductions.
5. Gather language and skills evidence.
6. Prepare the construction acceptance plan and immigration documents through the proper company process.
7. Apply for Certificate of Eligibility or status change.

Construction has field-specific employer procedures. The accepting company must follow current JAC and authority requirements.

Practical site Japanese

N4/A2.2 is the test floor. Site work needs:

• Hazard and stop commands.
• Tools, materials and measurements.
• Sequence and location.
• Equipment exclusion zones.
• Damage and near-miss reports.
• Morning briefings and handovers.

Use Japanese conversation at work, Japanese meeting phrases, and Japanese phone-call phrases.

Match Japanese study to the category

The three construction categories share safety language but not all technical vocabulary.

Civil engineering

Study excavation, roadwork, earthwork, reinforcement, drainage, measurement, heavy-equipment movement and public-area safety. Practice describing ground condition, depth, slope and exclusion zones.

Architecture

Study structure, formwork, reinforcement, interior work, scaffolding, material delivery, dimensions and drawing references. Practice confirming floor, room, orientation and installation sequence.

Infrastructure facilities and equipment

Study pipes, wiring, ventilation, water, inspection, isolation, testing and commissioning. Practice reporting leakage, abnormal readings, failed tests and safe shutdown.

Create a bilingual glossary only from official JAC material and the employer's approved terminology. Similar everyday words can have a specific technical meaning on site. For leadership progression, review the JLPT N2 guide, but do not replace field training with general language study.

Result records and category changes

Keep the language certificate and construction pass certificate as separate official records. Check legal name, birth date, examination category, pass number and date before the company submits the acceptance plan. If an error exists, use the organizer's correction route rather than editing the document.

A worker who later changes to duties outside the passed category may need another skills examination. Confirm scope before accepting a transfer. Changing employers within construction does not automatically expand the category of work the result covers. Store contracts, test evidence and training records securely so the next employer and authority can verify them.

Language preparation plan

General test

• Official JFT-Basic A2.2 or JLPT N4 practice.

Construction text

• JAC subject/practical materials.
• Category vocabulary.
• 30-minute daily Japanese routine.

Safety communication

• Repeat critical instructions.
• Stop unsafe work.
• Report abnormal conditions.
• Japanese shadowing practice.

Interview and scenario

• Work history.
• Tool or process explanation.
• Hazard response.

Use Japanese job-interview self-introduction.

Start a free construction SSW role-play and practice a safety briefing.

Try another free Japanese session with a changed measurement and stop-work instruction.

Contract and support checks

Get written information about construction site, category, travel between sites, base wage, overtime, housing, transport, protective equipment and deductions. Confirm who pays for training and qualifications.

SSW(i) support should include orientation, housing/administrative assistance, Japanese learning opportunities and consultation. Ask who provides each service and in which language.

Never surrender a passport or pay an unofficial guaranteed-visa fee.

Common mistakes

Practice Japanese speaking free before construction interviews.

Final SSW construction checklist

• Choose civil, architecture or facilities/equipment category.
• Pass JFT-Basic A2.2 or JLPT N4+, unless exempt.
• Pass written and practical skills components at 65%+, unless exempt.
• Study official Japanese JAC texts.
• Verify Technical Intern Training evidence.
• Find a compliant accepting company.
• Review contract, site and support.
• Prepare acceptance-plan and immigration documents.
• Build safety communication beyond N4.
• Never assume test passes guarantee status.

How we researched

We checked JAC's official SSW system, exam, materials, FAQ, certificate flow and SSW(ii) pages plus Prometric's fee table and ISA process on 22 October 2026.

This article owns the legal/test intent; the construction-jobs article separately covers practical workplace levels.

Sources

• JAC: SSW construction system
• JAC: construction test
• JAC: official study materials
• JAC: construction FAQ
• Prometric: country fee table

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