The demand for jobs in Japan is real — and so are the people who exploit it. Every year, hopeful applicants from India lose large sums to brokers promising "guaranteed" jobs that never materialise. The good news: once you understand how the legitimate process works, the scams become easy to spot. Here's how to protect yourself.

The one rule that stops most scams

Legitimate work in Japan does not require paying lakhs of rupees to an agent for a "guaranteed job." The SSW visa itself is cheap, the tests are inexpensive, and a genuine Japanese employer sponsors your Certificate of Eligibility. If someone is asking for a large upfront sum to "secure" or "guarantee" a job, treat it as a red flag — full stop. (See what the SSW route actually costs.)

Red flags: how to spot a scam

  • Large upfront "placement" or "guarantee" fees — especially before any real job offer exists.
  • "Guaranteed job" promises. No honest recruiter can guarantee a specific job before you've passed tests and interviewed.
  • Pressure to pay fast or "limited seats" urgency.
  • No verifiable employer. You can't confirm the company, its address, or the actual role.
  • Being asked to pay for the visa itself in large amounts — the government fees are small.
  • Vague contracts, or none. Real jobs come with written conditions of employment.
  • Requests to pay to personal accounts or in cash with no receipts.
  • Skipping the tests. If someone says you don't need the Japanese or skills test "because of our connections," walk away.

How the legitimate process actually works

Knowing the real steps makes fakes obvious:

  1. You pass the Japanese test (JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic A2) and the field skills test.
  2. You interview and receive a genuine job offer from a Japanese employer.
  3. The employer (or their registered support organisation) files your Certificate of Eligibility in Japan.
  4. You apply for the visa at the Japanese embassy/consulate in India.

Notice what's missing: nowhere in this process do you pay a middleman a fortune to "arrange" a job. (See the full application process.)

How to protect yourself

  • Verify the employer independently — search the company, confirm it exists and does the work described.
  • Never pay large sums before a verified job offer and CoE.
  • Get everything in writing — job role, salary, conditions, and any fees.
  • Use registered recruiters and support organisations, and be wary of individuals operating informally.
  • Cross-check against official sources — the Immigration Services Agency's SSW site explains the real requirements and steps.
  • If it sounds too good to be true, it is. A realistic route takes months of Japanese study and a real skills test — not a shortcut for a fee.

If you've been approached

Slow down. Ask for the employer's details and verify them. Refuse large upfront payments. And remember: your strongest protection is knowing the real process — which you now do. Start building the one thing no scammer can sell you, your Japanese, free on Komichi.

Always confirm current rules and steps with the official Immigration Services Agency (ssw.go.jp).