Food Service Industry Skills Proficiency Test

Information on test held in Japan

(Applicable from April 2020)

The Organization for Technical Skill Assessment of Foreign

Workers in Food Industry

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 Contents

1. Specified skilled workers and the purpose of the test・・・・・・・・・・・・・3

2. Eligibility ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・4

3. Test subjects and test formats, etc.・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・5

4. Pass mark ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・6

5. Textbooks ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・6

6. Test application procedures・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・7

7. Test fee・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・9

8. What to bring on the day of the test・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・9

9. Points to note on the day of the test ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・9

10. Announcement of successful candidates and pass certificates・・・・・・・・・14

11. Handling of personal information ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・16

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1. Specified skilled workers and the purpose of the test
With the revision of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, a new residence
status, "Specified Skilled Worker", was created on April 1, 2019.
"Specific Skilled Worker" is a system for the acceptance of foreign workers who have a certain
level of expertise and skill in specified industry fields, such as the food services industry, where
it has proven difficult to recruit workers, despite efforts to improve productivity and recruit staff
within Japan, in order to address worsening staff shortages.

In order to qualify for the Specified Skilled Worker ( i ) residency status for the food
service industry, a candidate must satisfy the Skill Level and Japanese Language
Proficiency requirements.

The Japanese Language Proficiency Level is judged by the Japanese language

proficiency assessment tests operated by the Japan Foundation, or the Japanese Language
Proficiency Test operated by the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and
Services.

The Skill Level in the food services category is determined by the Food Service Industry
Skills Proficiency Test administered by OTAFF. (OTAFF may abbreviate the name of the test
as and when necessary.)

To apply for the Specified Skilled Worker residency status, please contact the Ministry of
Justice or the Immigration Services Agency.
OTAFF cannot respond to any queries other than those regarding the skills proficiency tests
for Specified Skilled Workers for the food service industry and the food and beverages
manufacturing industry.

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2. Eligibility

Persons eligible to take the test in Japan for Specified Skilled Workers in the food services
industry are those who satisfy the conditions a) and b), below, on the day of the test.
a) Persons who have the appropriate residence status (Note 1) and are 17 years of age or
older on the day of the test.
b) Persons having a passport (Note 2) issued by a foreign government or competent
authority of a territory, as prescribed in public notice by the Minister of Justice, for the
purposes of cooperating in the smooth execution of any forced deportation order.

Note 1: With the exception of those who are in Japan illegally (illegal residents), persons legally
residing in Japan are eligible. This also includes persons who are in legally in Japan for
a short stay, such as for tourism, even if they do not have a residence card.

Note 2: Currently, passports other than those issued by Islamic Republic of Iran are acceptable.

Notes
■ Passing the test does not guarantee that the residence status of Specified Skilled Worker
will be granted.
Even if candidates who have passed the test submit an application for a Certificate of
Eligibility or an application to change their residence status, it is not always the case that
a Certificate of Eligibility can be issued, or a change in residence status approved.

■ Further, even if you do receive a Certificate of Eligibility, your visa application will be
reviewed separately by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and there is no guarantee that you
will be granted a visa.

■ In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Japanese government has established
restrictions, such as refusing entry to persons from certain countries and regions.
Therefore, please make sure that you will be able to enter Japan in order to take the test.

Ministry of Justice: Regarding refusal of landing to prevent the spread of COVID-19

disease (novel coronavirus)
http://www.moj.go.jp/hisho/kouhou/hisho06_00099.html

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3. Test subjects and test format, etc.
Total of 80 minutes for both theoretical and practical tests Paper test format (using mark
sheets)

(1) Theoretical test (questions in Japanese)

The test will measure the candidate's knowledge relating to hygiene management, the preparation
of food and drink, and general customer service, as well as whether they have sufficient Japanese
language proficiency for the work.

Number of
Item Main content Allocation of points
questions
- Knowledge relating to general
hygiene management Full marks: 40
Hygiene
- Knowledge relating to HACCP 10 questions points
management
- Knowledge relating to food poisoning, (@4 points)
etc.
- Knowledge relating to cooking Full marks: 30
Food and
- Knowledge relating to ingredients
drink 10 questions points
- Knowledge relating to cooking
preparation (@3 points)
utensils, etc.
- Knowledge relating to general
customer service
General Full marks: 30
- Knowledge relating to food
customer 10 questions points
diversification
service (@3 points)
- Knowledge relating to the handling of
customer complaints, etc.
Total 30
Total 100 points
questions

(2) Practical test (questions in Japanese Judgement test - planning test, etc.)
The candidate's skills are gauged in the judgment test, which looks at whether the candidate is able to
take the correct action in a given situation using diagrams and illustrations, and the planning test, which
looks at whether they are able to formulate plans for the required tasks, given prescribed calculation
formulae.

Number of questions
Allocation of
Item Main content
Judgement Planning points
Total
test test

Full marks: 40
Hygiene Same as
3 questions 2 questions 5 questions points
management theoretical test
(@8 points)

Food and Full marks: 30

Same as
drink 3 questions 2 questions 5 questions points
theoretical test
preparation (@6 points)

General Full marks: 30

Same as
customer 3 questions 2 questions 5 questions points
theoretical test
service (@6 points)

Total 9 Total 6 Total 15

Total 100 points
questions questions questions

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4. Pass mark

The pass mark is 65%.

5. Textbooks
The textbooks that can be used for test preparation are available at the website of Japan
Foodservice Association (https://www.jfnet.or.jp/contents/gaikokujinzai/)

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6. Test application procedures

Step 1. Read the test information

Go through the conditions for eligibility and the test subjects, etc.

Step 2. Register your own My Page How to register My Rules on using

Page photographs
Read through "How to register My Page" and enter your personal information and
upload your portrait photograph to your own My Page.
Your My Page registration will be screened, and this can take up to five business
days.
Complete your My Page registration before you apply for the test.
Your portrait photograph will be used for identification and for the pass certificate.
Carefully read "Rules on using photographs" before registering.

Step 3. Submit test application

Carefully read "Test application guidance" before submitting your application.

Log into your My Page and select the date and test venue, and check the eligibility
one more time before you submit your application.
If the number of candidates is lower than capacity, a second round of recruitment
will be carried out.

Step 4. Pay the test fee if you are selected to participate

If the number of candidates exceeds capacity, selection will be made by draw.

Once the results of the draw are known, notification will be sent to your registered
email address.
You can check the results of the draw under "Exam history" on My Page.
If you are selected to participate, you may pay the test fee.
There are three methods of payment: credit card, convenience store settlement,
or Pay-easy (direct debit).
Payment at a convenience store or by Pay-easy is only available in Japan.
Test fees, once paid, cannot be returned. (Note)
Carefully check the test date and venue before you make payment.

Note: This does not apply in cases where the test has been canceled due to
natural disaster.
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 For details, please read "7. Test fee" in the test information.
Step 5. Download the admission ticket

You can check the download start date on the OTAFF website, under "Test
schedule details."
Also, notification of the download start date will be sent to your registered email
address.
The admission ticket can be downloaded from My Page, under "Test history."

Step 6. Take the test

Before taking the test, be sure to read "9. Points to note on the day of the test" on
page 9.
On the day of the test, be sure to bring with you your admission ticket, your
passport or residence card, HB pencils and an eraser.
For details, please read "8. What to bring on the day of the test" on page 9 of the
test information.
Also, please remember to wear a mask.
At the test venue, you may take the test after your identity has been confirmed at
Reception.

Step 7. Receive your test results

The registration numbers of successful candidates can be checked on the OTAFF

website.
Also, once the test results are posted, notification will be sent to your registered
email address.
You can check your test results under "Test history" on your own My Page.

Step 8. Receive the pass certificate

Pass certificates will be uploaded to "Test history" on the My Page of successful

candidates.
You will be able to download the pass certificate so that you can print it out when
necessary.
OTAFF cannot download and print out the pass certificate.

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7. Test fee

JPY 7,000 (tax included) (for FY2020)

Test fees, once paid, cannot be returned except under the following circumstances.
- The test has been unable to be held due to reasons attributable to OTAFF.
- OTAFF has judged that the test cannot be held due to natural disaster, etc.
(excluding cases where an alternative test has been organized)

Check the OTAFF website to find out whether the test is due to go ahead or not.

8. What to bring on the day of the test

Be sure to bring the following ①, ②, ③ and ④.

①and ② will be used to identify you at Reception on the day of the test.
If you cannot be identified, you will not be able to take the test.

① Admission ticket
② Passport or residence card
③ HB pencils *Mechanical pencils are not allowed.
④ Eraser
Note: If you do not have your passport or residence card because your residence card is
being renewed, please be sure to print a color photocopy of the front and back
sides of your residence card, bearing the seals(company/ organization and
person in charge) of your proxy (Japanese language school, immigration lawyer,
etc.).

9. Points to note on the day of the test

(1) Before arriving at the test venue

In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, be sure to wear a mask.
Please keep your mask on during the test.
Please note that candidates who are not wearing masks will not be able to take the test.
Also, on the day of the test, your temperature will be taken.
If you have a high temperature or feel unwell, your test may be suspended and you may
be asked to leave.

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 Your understanding is appreciated.

(2) Reception
① Before entering the venue, please read "8. What to bring on the day of the test" on
page 9 and make sure you have items ① and ②.
② Your identity will be checked at Reception. For the purpose of facial identification, you
will be asked to remove your mask.
Note: Please remove any headgear, sunglasses or earpieces.
③ If there is any problem with the portrait photo you uploaded to your My Page, you will
be asked to take it again. If you are asked to take the portrait photo again, please
follow the instructions of the reception staff.
④ After completing reception, you may enter the examination hall.

Reception closes once the test starts.

If you arrive late, you will not be able to take the test.

Note: Public transport may be delayed due to weather conditions.

Please be sure to give yourself enough time to arrive at the venue on time.

(3) Points to note inside the examination hall

① Please take the seat with the number shown on your admission ticket.
② If entering or leaving the examination hall before the test starts, you must carry your
admission ticket with you.
③ Take your place in the examination hall at least 20 minutes before the test is due to
start. You may not speak to the other candidates.

You may not enter the examination hall once the test has started.

◼ Place your admission ticket to the side of your seat number.

◼ Place your HB pencils and eraser on the desk.
Mechanical pencils are not allowed.
All other items must be placed inside your bag.
◼ Mobile telephones and all other telecommunications devices and electronic devices must

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 be turned OFF until you leave the examination hall.
Be sure to check in advance how to turn OFF your electronic devices.
Once your devices have been powered OFF, place them inside your bag, close the bag
and place it underneath your seat.
◼ There will be a clock in the examination hall.
◼ Please be sure to turn OFF any alarms on your watch.
Place your watch inside your bag, close the bag and place it underneath your seat.
You cannot have your watch on your desk, or wear it on your person.
Mobile phones, etc., cannot be used as watches.
If your alarm goes off during the test, this may be treated in the same way as an act of
misconduct.
◼ You may not use electronic calculators.
◼ While in the examination hall, you must follow the instructions of the invigilator.
Failure to follow the instructions of the invigilator may be treated in the same way as an
act of misconduct.

(4) Points to note before the test begins

◼ On your desk, you should only have your admission ticket, HB pencils, eraser, mark sheet
and "How to fill in the mark sheet and other notes about the test."
Place all other items inside your bag, close the bag and place it underneath your seat.
◼ Follow the example in "How to fill in the mark sheet," and enter your own name and
candidate number in the mark sheet.
◼ Be sure to fill in your candidate number correctly.
◼ You may not wear hats or sunglasses inside the examination hall.
Further, you may not wear earpieces.
Place these items inside your bag, close the bag and place it underneath your seat.
◼ You must wear your mask at all times.
However, please remove the mask if asked to do so by the invigilator, for the purposes
of identification, for example.
◼ The only writing implements that you are allowed to use are HB pencils and erasers.
Mechanical pencils cannot be used.
Use your erase to erase any mistaken entries before making corrections.
Take care not to soil or fold the mark sheet.

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 Soiled or folded mark sheets may not be able to be scanned.
No marks can be awarded for answers that cannot be properly scanned.
◼ Please be sure that you have visited the restroom before the test begins and are seated
in your place.
◼ The test papers will be placed on your desk just before the test begins.
Do not touch the test papers until the invigilator indicates that the test has begun.

(5) Points to note after the test begins

◼ You may not leave the examination hall for at least 30 minutes after the test has begun.
If you leave the examination hall to go to the restroom, your test will end at that point,
and you will not be allowed to enter the examination hall again.
◼ Once the invigilator indicates that 30 minutes have passed, you may leave the
examination hall.
◼ Please refrain from any chatting in corridors, etc., adjacent to the examination hall.
◼ You may not leave the examination hall during the last five minutes before the test ends.
◼ Questions regarding the content of the test questions cannot be answered.
◼ If you need to leave your seat during the test due to feeling unwell, or some other
unavoidable circumstance, raise your hand to alert the invigilator and follow their
instructions.
◼ In the event of any act of misconduct, you will be asked to leave the examination hall
immediately.

(6) Points to note when leaving the examination hall

◼ It is forbidden to take away the test paper, make memos, or take away any media that
contain photographs, video, etc., of the test paper.
These or any other suspicious actions by candidates may be treated in the same way as
misconduct.
◼ If you need to leave the examination hall while the test is in progress, hand your mark
sheet, test paper and "How to fill in the mark sheet and other notes about the test" to the
invigilator and wait for their permission to leave the hall.
◼ Once you leave the examination hall, you will not be allowed to re-enter.
Further, upon leaving the examination hall after the test is finished, please leave the test

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 venue promptly.
◼ During the remaining five minutes before the test ends, please wait until the invigilator
has finished gathering the mark sheets, test papers and "How to fill in the mark sheet
and other notes about the test."
Please remain seated until the invigilator indicates that you may leave the hall.

(7) Acts of misconduct

◼ In the event of any act of misconduct, including the following, you may be asked to stop
taking the test and leave the examination hall. In such a case, you will receive no marks.
- Opening the test paper and beginning to answer before the test has started.
- Speaking during the test without permission.
- Actions such as giving answers to other candidates, giving signals, receiving answers
from other candidates, looking at another candidate's answers, etc., during the test.
- Filling in answers on another candidate's mark sheet.
- Swapping test papers or mark sheets with another candidate.
- Looking at crib notes or reference texts during the test.
- Actions such as using mobile phones or smartphones.
- Taking test papers or mark sheets out of the examination hall.
- Actions that disturb other candidates, and failure to heed the cautions of the invigilator.
- Failing to stop answering the test questions even after the invigilator has told the
candidates to stop.
- Failing to hand over the mark sheet to the invigilator when requested.
- Leaving the examination hall before the invigilator has given permission.

◼ Any candidate who takes or tries to take the test by dishonest means will be prohibited
from taking the test.
In some cases, the candidate's pass result may be canceled and the candidate
prohibited from taking the test again for another five years.

◼ OTAFF cannot assume any responsibility or liability for any disadvantage or

inconvenience that a candidate may suffer as a consequence of any dishonest activities.

(8) Other points to note

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 ◼ It is not permitted to take photographs or make any video or audio recordings at the test
venue.
◼ Smoking is only permitted in the designated areas.
◼ Candidates must not enter any part of the test venue that is off limits.
◼ Please refrain from touching any equipment or fittings, etc., in the test venue.
◼ There are no waiting rooms for adults or children accompanying candidates.
Only candidates are permitted to enter the test venue.
◼ On the day of the test, candidates cannot be called to the telephone, nor can messages
be taken.

10. Announcement of successful candidates and pass certificates

(1) Announcement of successful candidates
Within three weeks of the test, the registration numbers of successful candidates will be
announced on the OTAFF website.
Exam results for all candidates will be uploaded onto their My Page.
Also, notification will be sent to candidates' registered email addresses.
OTAFF cannot respond to any queries regarding the test.

(2) Pass certificate download

From the tests of FY2020 onward, pass certificates will be uploaded to the My Page of
successful candidates, after the test results have been announced.
Pass certificates can be downloaded from My Page, under "Test history."
Please print out the certificate by yourself whenever you need it.
OTAFF cannot download and print out the pass certificate.

(3) Validity of pass certificate

The pass certificate is valid for a period of ten years from the date of issue.

(Points to note)
◼ The pass certificate will need to be presented when changing your status of residence
in Japan, or applying for a Certificate of Eligibility for Status of Residence.
◼ Pass certificates for FY2019 were mailed to the registered addresses of successful

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 candidates in Japan.
However, pass certificates have occasionally been returned to OTAFF, not having been
able to be delivered due to incorrect addressing, or candidates having moved away, etc.
◼ If a pass certificate for the test in FY2019 has been lost, it can be re-issued once only.
Note that a pass certificate only be re-issued within its validity period.
◼ If you wish to have a pass certificate resent or re-issued, contact OTAFF by email or
telephone.
◼ To have a pass certificate re-issued, application should be made by the certificate holder
themselves.
◼ To have a pass certificate resent takes between three weeks and one month, and to
have one re-issued takes around one month.
◼ Any costs involved in resending or reissuing a pass certificate must be borne by the
candidate.
◼ Resent or re-issued pass certificates can only be sent to addresses in Japan.

For enquiries:
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 03-6261-4949 (weekdays only: 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.)
Website: https://otaff.or.jp/

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(4) Cancellation of pass
Should it be discovered after a pass certificate has been awarded that any of the items
of misconduct ① to ③ have been carried out regarding the test, the pass of the
candidate who has carried out the acts of misconduct will be canceled.

① Requesting and receiving information of a confidential nature relating to test

questions from a person or persons connected to the test.
② Information registered in the candidate's My Page is intentionally fraudulent.
③ Other misconduct relating to the test.

In addition, the Immigration Bureau will be notified via the Ministry of Agriculture,
Forestry and Fisheries.
Also, a notification of the cancellation of the pass will be sent to the candidate involved,
and any data relating to the pass certificate will be deleted from their My Page.
(In the case of pass certificates for the FY2019 test, the return of the actual certificate
will be requested. )
Further, said candidate will be prohibited from taking the exam again for a period of five
years.

11. Handling of personal information

Any personal information learned in the course of implementing the test will be handled
appropriately, in accordance with the provisions of the Act on the Protection of Personal
Information (Act No. 57 of 2003).
The personal information registered in My Page is used by OTAFF only for the purposes
of implementing the test, and is not disclosed to any third party.
However, information may be provided to the government when requested by the
government in accordance with relevant laws and ordinances.
Some of the information registered in My Page, such as the names of the prefectures
where candidates live, or their responses to questionnaire surveys, may be collated in a
format that cannot be used to identify specific individuals, and the aggregate results
published.

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