Technical Intern Training (TITP) Program Guide: How Vietnamese & Filipino Workers Can Work in Japan
This guide explains the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) for Vietnamese and Filipino workers. You will learn how the program works, who can join, step-by-step application, rights and risks, and how to use TITP as a path to better jobs in Japan.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through these links. Read full disclosure.
Important note about changes to TITP
Japan is reforming its foreign worker system. The government plans to end the current TITP and replace it with a new โEmployment for Skill Developmentโ system around 2027โ2030.
However, TITP is still active now, and many Vietnamese and Filipino workers are still using it as a first step to work in Japan. The rules may slowly change, but the basic ideas in this guide will still help you understand:
- How the program works today
- What to check in contracts and agencies
- How to connect TITP with future visas like Specified Skilled Worker (SSW)
For deeper legal details, always check with official sources, your sending organization, or your local Japanese embassy.
What Is the Technical Intern Training Program?
The Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) is a Japanese government system started in the 1990s. Its official goal is to:
- Bring young workers from developing countries to Japan
- Give them practical training and skills in Japanese companies
- Help them use these skills later for the economic development of their home countries
Workers come to Japan as โtechnical intern traineesโ (ๆ่ฝๅฎ็ฟ็ / ginล jisshลซsei). They are not treated as simple โcheap laborโ in the law. They are supposed to be:
- Employees of Japanese companies
- Protected by Japanese labor laws
- Following an approved training plan with clear tasks and goals
In reality, TITP has good sides and bad sides. Many people gain skills, save money, and send remittances home. Others face long hours, unfair treatment, or illegal fees. Japan is reforming the system because of these problems.
Why Vietnamese and Filipino Workers Use TITP
Today, TITP is one of the largest foreign worker programs in Japan, with around 410,000 participants in 2023.
- Vietnamese workers are now one of the biggest groups, with more than 200,000 trainees in 2023.
- Filipino workers are also a major group, especially in industries like manufacturing, caregiving, and construction.
Both Vietnam and the Philippines have signed Memoranda of Cooperation (MOC) with Japan to manage sending and accepting technical intern trainees in a safer and more transparent way.
For many young people, TITP is attractive because it offers:
- A legal path to work in Japan
- A chance to earn more than at home
- Training and experience in Japanese-style work
- A potential pathway to the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa later
If you are also thinking about teaching, you can compare this with Teaching English in Japan โ Tips for First-Time Teachers.
TITP Basics: Period, Visa, and Job Types
Program length and stages
Under the current rules, TITP allows you to stay in Japan for up to five years, usually in stages called Technical Intern Training (i), (ii), and (iii).
Here is a simple summary:
| Stage | Approx. length | What happens | Key point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical Intern Training (i) | 1 year | Basic training and skills | First time in Japan; you must follow training plan. |
| Technical Intern Training (ii) | Up to 2 years | More advanced practical work | You must pass skill tests to move into this stage. |
| Technical Intern Training (iii) | Up to 2 more years | Higher-level work and skills | Only for โexcellentโ organizations and trainees; total stay up to 5 years. |
The exact plan depends on your job type, company, and supervising organization.
Status of residence
TITP uses special statuses of residence like โTechnical Intern Training (i)/(ii)/(iii)โ, not a regular work visa like โEngineer/Specialistโ or โSkilled Worker.โ
Later, after some years, some trainees move to:
- Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Type 1 in the same field
- Other work visas, if they meet requirements and find employers
If you are curious about other visas, you can also read Japan Work Visa Basics for Foreigners.
Typical industries for TITP
TITP covers many fields, mostly in manual or semi-skilled work, such as:
- Agriculture and livestock
- Fisheries and food processing
- Construction and civil engineering
- Manufacturing and machinery
- Caregiving and nursing support
- Textile and sewing-related jobs
From Vietnam and the Philippines, many trainees go into manufacturing, construction, and caregiving, but there are many other options depending on the sending and supervising organizations.
Eligibility for Vietnamese and Filipino Workers
Each sending country has its own detailed rules, but generally you need to:
- Be adult working age (exact age limits depend on the sending organization)
- Have at least high school education or vocational training for many jobs
- Be physically and mentally healthy
- Have no criminal record
- Be able to learn basic Japanese (at least simple communication)
In practice, sending organizations in Vietnam and the Philippines may add extra conditions, such as:
- Basic Japanese language tests (e.g., N5/N4 level)
- Skills tests or interviews
- Priority for people with certain backgrounds (nursing, welding, etc.)
Step-By-Step Application Process from Vietnam and the Philippines
You cannot apply to TITP directly to a Japanese company by yourself. The system requires three main partners:
- Sending organization in your home country
- Supervising organization in Japan
- Implementing organization (employer) โ the company where you work
Typical steps
The process can be long, but the basic flow is usually:
- Contact an accredited sending organization in Vietnam or the Philippines.
- Attend orientation and basic explanation of TITP, costs, and contract.
- Take language and skills tests, interviews, or medical checks.
- Match with a Japanese company through the supervising organization.
- Sign contracts:
- Training contract
- Employment contract (or offer)
- Agreements about fees and support
- The Japanese side prepares a Technical Intern Training Plan and applies for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
- When COE is issued, you apply for a visa at the Japanese embassy/consulate in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Manila, Cebu, etc.
- Pre-departure training: Japanese language, culture, work rules, sometimes several months.
- Departure to Japan, arrival, and first on-site orientation at your supervising organization and company.
For more detailed visa steps, you can check How to Get a Japan Work Visa through TITP.
Example: Vietnam vs Philippines Application Highlights
Every organization is different, but here is a simple comparison.
| Point | Vietnam | Philippines |
|---|---|---|
| Main government partners | Ministry of Labour โ Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) and related agencies | Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), MWO-Tokyo and others |
| Sending organizations | Many licensed manpower agencies; must be accredited for TITP | Licensed recruitment agencies under DMW; must follow strict no-overcharging rules |
| Pre-departure training | Often several months of Japanese language and work culture | Also language and cultural training; document verification by MWO / DMW |
| Typical industries | Manufacturing, construction, agriculture, seafood, textiles | Manufacturing, caregiving, construction, food processing |
| Official reminders | Check agency license, contract details, avoid high illegal fees | MWO-Tokyo clearly says it does not collect fees for verification and warns about proper documents |
Before signing anything, always compare information from your agency with official government websites in Vietnam or the Philippines. If something feels unclear, ask questions.
Fees, Salary, and Cost of Living
Legal rules for fees
Japan and partner countries are working to stop excessive or illegal fees. The Memoranda of Cooperation say that both sides must try to reduce the financial burden on trainees and prevent abuse.
In reality, many trainees still report paying:
- Placement fees
- Language school fees
- Medical and document fees
Some of these are legal; some are not. The key is transparency:
- All fees must be clearly explained in writing.
- You should receive official receipts.
- Be careful if a broker asks for large cash payments, especially outside the office.
If you feel you are being overcharged, you can later contact support centers in Japan (see the โWhere to Get Helpโ section) or unions.
Expected salary
Under TITP, you are a regular worker and must receive at least the local minimum wage and legally required overtime pay, just like Japanese workers.
Many traineesโ basic salaries are similar to entry-level Japanese workers in the same area, but your take-home pay will be affected by:
- Income tax
- Social insurance (pension, health)
- Rent and utility deductions if you live in company housing
For budgeting, also read Cost of Living in Japan for Factory and Care Workers and Japan Salary and Tax Guide for Foreign Workers.
Living and Working Conditions in Japan
Typical daily life
As a technical intern trainee, you will usually:
- Work full-time, often 5โ6 days a week
- Have fixed shifts, sometimes with overtime
- Live in shared dorms or apartments arranged by the company or supervising organization
- Use basic Japanese in daily life, with support from supervisors or senpai
Your working conditions must follow Japanese laws. Organizations like the Organization for Technical Intern Training (OTIT) provide multilingual guides on:
- Fair working conditions
- Industrial accident insurance
- Pension and tax issues
- How to change training sites if necessary
- Where to ask for help in Vietnamese or Tagalog
For a deeper look at your rights, check Labor Laws in Japan: 10 Rights Foreign Workers Should Know.
Simple expectations vs reality table
| Topic | Official idea | Possible real-life issues |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose of program | Skill transfer and human resource development for home country | Some employers mainly want cheap labor, not true training |
| Training plan | Clear skill goals and stages | Sometimes plan is too simple or not followed well |
| Working hours | Follow Japanese labor law (8 hours/day, 40 hours/week, overtime pay) | Some trainees report long hours or unpaid overtime |
| Housing | Safe, clean dorms or apartments | Rooms can be crowded; check photos and rules before signing |
| Support | Supervision, counseling, language help | Some organizations respond slowly to complaints |
This does not mean you will surely have a bad experience. Many trainees are satisfied and feel they gained a lot. But it is important to be realistic and know your rights.
TITP vs Specified Skilled Worker (SSW)
Japan now has another system called Specified Skilled Worker (SSW), which allows certain foreign workers to work more independently for longer periods, especially in fields like care, construction, and manufacturing.
Main differences
| Point | TITP | SSW Type 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Training and skill transfer | Filling labor shortages with skilled workers |
| Status | Technical Intern Training (i/ii/iii) | Specified Skilled Worker (i) |
| Max stay | Usually up to 5 years | Up to 5 years (can change fields/companies more easily) |
| Field change | Very limited; tied to a training plan | More flexible movement within same industry |
| Language/skills | Often basic Japanese; training focus | Requires official skill tests and Japanese test (e.g., JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic) |
Many trainees see TITP as a first step, then aim to pass exams and shift to SSW to:
- Negotiate better pay
- Change employers more easily
- Stay in Japan longer
Common Risks and How to Protect Yourself
TITP has been criticized for abuse and exploitation in some cases. Japan is replacing it partly because of these problems.
Red flags before leaving your country
Be careful if:
- An agent asks you for a very large fee in cash without official receipt.
- The contract is not translated into Vietnamese or Filipino/English.
- They promise โeasy moneyโ or โno work, just trainingโ โ this is not realistic.
- You are asked to lie on any documents.
Always keep copies of:
- Contracts and fee breakdowns
- Receipts and invoices
- Any emails or messages about payment
Red flags after arriving in Japan
Once in Japan, watch out for:
- Your passport or residence card being taken away and kept by the company
- Very long hours with little or no overtime pay
- Threats like โIf you complain, we will send you homeโ
- No chance to learn skills or follow the training plan
If this happens, remember:
- You have the right to consult OTIT and other support centers in Vietnamese or Tagalog.
- You can contact labor unions or NGOs that help foreign workers.
- There is also support from your embassy or consulate in Japan.
For more details, Dealing with Workplace Problems in Japan.
How to Use TITP as a Stepping Stone for Your Future
Even with risks, many Vietnamese and Filipino workers use TITP as a launch pad for a better future.
Here are realistic goals you can aim for:
- Build real skills
- Take your training seriously.
- Learn not only manual tasks but also safety, quality control, and teamwork.
- Improve your Japanese
- Study for JLPT N4 or higher while you are in Japan.
- Practice listening and speaking with coworkers, not just other foreigners.
- Save money wisely
- Avoid sending all of your income home. Keep some savings for yourself.
- Use a simple budget to manage your salary and avoid debt.
- Plan your next visa
- Ask your company or supervising organization about SSW options in your field.
- Check exam dates and requirements early.
- Think long term
- Do you want to start a business at home?
- Do you want to move into a more skilled job in Japan or another country?
What Will Change After 2027?
Japan has already passed laws to abolish TITP and introduce a new โtraining and employmentโ system that is more honest about its role as a labor program and aims to give workers better protection, more chances to change employers, and clearer skill paths.
The new system is expected to:
- Still bring in workers from countries like Vietnam and the Philippines
- Have more transparent rules and stronger oversight
- Make it easier to move from training to longer-term work
If you apply now, you may:
- Start under the existing TITP, and
- Later be moved or connected to the new system, depending on when rules change and how long you stay
Because this is still developing, always check latest information from:
- Japanese government websites
- Your sending organization
- Embassies and official migrant worker centers
Final Thoughts
The Technical Intern Training Program is a powerful but complex way for Vietnamese and Filipino workers to come to Japan. It can bring:
- Valuable skills and experience
- Better income than at home
- A bridge to longer-term work visas like SSW
At the same time, it carries real risks: high fees, long working hours, and sometimes unfair treatment.
To protect yourself and make the most of TITP:
- Use licensed sending organizations and read all contracts carefully.
- Learn about your labor rights in Japan and how to get help if something goes wrong.
- Focus on learning skills, improving Japanese, and planning your future beyond just the first three to five years.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
