Status of Residence:
Technical Intern Training I b

The "Status of Residence: Technical Intern Training (i) - Category B (ロ)" refers to a residency status in Japan under which foreign nationals participate in the initial stage of the Technical Intern Training Program through the “supervising organization model.” In this system, a supervising organization—such as a chamber of commerce, agricultural cooperative, or industry group—accepts the interns and places them with multiple host companies to conduct their training. This structure allows small and medium-sized enterprises, which may find it difficult to directly hire foreign workers, to host technical interns.

The difference between Technical Intern Training (i) and (ii) lies in the purpose and depth of the training. Training (i) focuses on acquiring basic skills and knowledge and typically lasts one year. If the intern successfully completes this stage, including passing evaluation tests and meeting certain standards, they may advance to Technical Intern Training (ii), which involves more practical and advanced skill development. Training (ii) also allows for an extended stay (up to two additional years) and requires that the supervising organization and host companies meet the standards for “excellent” status.

The difference between "Category A (イ)" and "Category B (ロ)" is based on how the internship is organized. Category A refers to the “company-based” model, where the intern is directly employed and trained by a single company. In contrast, Category B refers to the “organization-based” or “supervised” model, where a supervising organization manages the intern’s stay and assigns them to one or more host companies. Therefore, "Technical Intern Training (i) - Category B" means that a foreign intern enters Japan under the supervision of a certified organization to acquire basic skills over the course of one year. This system plays an important role in workforce development, especially for smaller Japanese businesses.

A period designated by the Minister of Justice (not to exceed one year)