"Designated Activities No. 46 (Graduates of Japanese Universities, etc.)"
This status of residence enables foreign nationals who have graduated from designated schools, such as Japanese universities, to engage in a wide range of jobs by utilizing their Japanese language proficiency as well as the knowledge and experience gained in Japan.
A major feature of this status is that it permits employment in customer service roles at restaurants and retail stores, as well as operational tasks at manufacturing sites—roles that are difficult to approve under the "Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services" (技術・人文知識・国際業務) status. Conversely, engaging solely in simple manual labor is not permitted; smooth communication using Japanese and the practical application of knowledge and academic achievements acquired at Japanese universities or institutions are required.
Following the February 2024 revision, individuals who have completed specialized courses at vocational schools meeting specific requirements were added to the eligible scope of Designated Activities No. 46.
1. Main Requirements
To work under Designated Activities No. 46, you must meet the following main requirements:
① Academic Background Requirements
Under the current system, you must fall into one of the following categories:
• Graduation from Japanese University or Graduate School
• Graduates of Japanese Junior Colleges（短期大学） or National Institute of Technology (KOSEN) Meeting Certain Requirements
Those who have graduated from a Japanese junior college (including the first period of a professional university) or a National Institute of Technology (KOSEN), earned the prescribed credits/completed the coursework, passed the evaluation by the National Institution for Academic Degrees and Quality Enhancement of Higher Education, and obtained a Bachelor's degree.
• Those who completed a specialized course at a Japanese vocational school（専門学校） (Certified Specialized Vocational School Course) and received the title of "Advanced Diploma"（高度専門士）
Those who completed a specialized course at a vocational school designated under the "Career Development Program for International Students" accredited by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), and received the title of "Advanced Diploma"（高度専門士）.
② Japanese Language Proficiency Requirements
Designated Activities No. 46 requires a high level of Japanese proficiency. As a rule, you must meet one of the following:
Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N1 or BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test score of 480 or higher.
Majored in Japanese language at a foreign university/graduate school and graduated/completed studies at a Japanese university/graduate school.
③ Compensation Requirements
Remuneration equal to or higher than what a Japanese national would receive for performing the same work.
④ Work Content Requirements
Regarding job duties, the following two points are particularly important:
Duties requiring smooth communication using Japanese
Tasks that simply involve following work instructions from an employer or understanding instruction manuals written in Japanese do not qualify as duties requiring smooth communication. The duties must require elements of interpretation or the active use of Japanese when communicating with others.
Duties utilizing academic achievements acquired at universities, etc.
The job must include tasks where the knowledge and academic achievements gained at Japanese universities or institutions can be applied. The intended duties must include work eligible under the "Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services" status.
Examples: Store management, customer service/guidance combined with interpretation, product development, product planning, production management, accounting, human resources, public relations, etc.
Judgments are made based on the overall job duties, the individual's academic background and major, and actual daily job responsibilities.
2. Jobs Not Permitted Under Designated Activities No. 46
While Designated Activities No. 46 covers a broad range of duties, it does not grant unconditional permission for simple manual labor.
Jobs consisting solely of simple manual labor
Tasks with almost no element of Japanese communication or application of academic achievements gained at university do not qualify.
Examples: Dishwashing only in a kitchen, cooking only, guest room cleaning only, simple assembly of parts in a factory, etc.
Adult entertainment businesses (Fuei-ho related)
Work classified under adult entertainment and related businesses is strictly prohibited. This includes cabaret clubs, host clubs, pachinko parlors, mahjong parlors, game centers, and adult sex-related businesses.
Jobs requiring legal qualifications
Designated Activities No. 46 does not exempt individuals from qualification systems established by other laws. For duties requiring separate qualifications, you must hold the relevant qualification.
Others
Employment Type
Employment as a full-time employee is required. Subcontracting/freelance agreements or part-time/casual employment contracts are not permitted.
Job Changes (Career Transitions)
Because Designated Activities No. 46 is granted with a specific employer designated, changing jobs generally requires an application for Change of Status of Residence. An assessment will be conducted to determine whether the new job meets the requirements for Designated Activities No. 46.
Accompanying Family Members
Foreign nationals residing under Designated Activities No. 46 are permitted to bring spouses and children who meet specific requirements under the "Designated Activities (Notification No. 47)" status. The Immigration Services Agency provides guidance on "Spouses, etc., of Graduates of Japanese Universities, etc." under Notification No. 47.
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
