How Japanese National Qualifications Can Benefit Your Visa Status: A Guide to the Highly-Skilled Professional Point System#

For foreign nationals working in Japan, obtaining Japanese national qualifications, such as the Takuchi Tatemono Torihikishi (Licensed Real Estate Broker, or “Takken”) or the IT Passport, can be a strategic move for career advancement and proof of expertise. This article provides an objective explanation of how these qualifications are evaluated in the context of visa applications and renewals, with a specific focus on the point-based system for the “Highly-Skilled Professional” (HSP) visa.

What is the Highly-Skilled Professional (HSP) Point System?#

The primary system where Japanese national qualifications are directly recognized is the status of residence for Highly-Skilled Professionals. This system was designed to attract talented foreign professionals who are expected to contribute to Japan’s industrial innovation and enhance the efficiency of its labor market.

The system categorizes the applicant’s activities into three fields: “Advanced Academic Research Activities,” “Advanced Specialized/Technical Activities,” and “Advanced Business Management Activities.” Points are awarded based on criteria such as academic background, professional experience, annual salary, age, and research achievements within each category. If the total points reach 70 or more, the applicant is certified as a Highly-Skilled Professional.

Obtaining an HSP visa comes with several preferential treatments, including a uniform 5-year period of stay, permission to engage in multiple activities that may span different visa categories, and significantly shortened residency requirements for applying for Permanent Resident status (as short as one year).

Japanese National Qualifications That Earn Points#

Under the HSP point system, bonus points are awarded for holding “Japanese national qualifications specified in a public notice by the Minister of Justice.”

Rules for Point Allocation

Relevance to Work is Essential: The most critical condition is that the acquired qualification must be deemed “relevant to the duties the applicant plans to engage in.” For example, an individual working at a real estate company who holds a Takken license will not receive points if their specific job duties are unrelated to real estate transactions.
Point Values: Holding one relevant national qualification grants 5 points. Holding two or more relevant qualifications grants 10 points. The maximum number of points awarded in this category is 10.

Examples of Eligible National Qualifications The list of specified qualifications is extensive, but here are some prominent examples:

Information Technology Professionals Examination / Registered Information Security Specialist Examination This group of qualifications is highly relevant for those in the IT sector. It includes the IT Passport Examination, the Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination, and the Applied Information Technology Engineer Examination. For IT engineers, system consultants, and other related roles, these certifications serve as objective proof of expertise and can lead to bonus points.
Takuchi Tatemono Torihikishi (Takken) This is the key qualification for professionals in the real estate industry. If your work directly involves real estate sales, leasing, or brokerage, the relevance of this qualification is easily recognized.
Other Professional Qualifications Many other highly specialized national qualifications are also on the list, including Professional Engineer (Gijutsushi), First-Class Architect (Ikkyu Kenchikushi), Certified Public Accountant, Attorney at Law, Certified Tax Accountant, and Certified Social Insurance and Labor Consultant. It is always assumed that the applicant will be engaged in professional duties that utilize these credentials.

The Role of Qualifications in Other Work Visas#

Even outside the HSP point system, holding a Japanese national qualification can be advantageous when applying for or renewing other work visas, such as the common “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” visa.

In these cases, the qualification does not translate directly into points. Instead, it serves as powerful, objective evidence to substantiate the applicant’s expertise and their capability to perform the proposed duties.

The Immigration Services Agency assesses whether an applicant possesses sufficient knowledge and skills to carry out the activities described in their application. Holding a relevant Japanese national qualification strongly demonstrates that the applicant meets a certain standard of competency in their field, which can create a positive impression during the screening process.

Key Considerations When Pursuing Qualifications#

While Japanese national qualifications can be beneficial for your visa status, there are several important points to keep in mind.

Relevance to Your Job is Paramount: To reiterate, simply holding a qualification is not enough. It is essential that the qualification is closely linked to your job description and duties in Japan.
Qualifications Are Not a Panacea: In the HSP point system, the maximum bonus from qualifications is 10 points. To clear the 70-point threshold, other factors like annual salary, academic background, and years of professional experience carry much more weight. Qualifications should be viewed as a supplementary element.
Check Examination Eligibility: Many national qualifications have prerequisites, such as a specific educational background or years of practical experience. Furthermore, almost all exams are conducted exclusively in Japanese. Before aiming for a qualification, you must confirm that you meet the eligibility criteria and possess the necessary Japanese language proficiency.

Conclusion#

Acquiring a Japanese national qualification can be a valuable asset for your residency status, provided it is relevant to your professional activities. It serves as a direct source of points under the Highly-Skilled Professional system and as strong supporting evidence of your expertise for other work visas. When considering pursuing a qualification, it is crucial to carefully evaluate how it aligns with your career path and job responsibilities in Japan, and to consider it in conjunction with the overall requirements of your desired status of residence.