Specified Skilled Worker Support Plan Essentials — In-House Delivery vs. Outsourcing to a Registered Support Organization

Any company accepting Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) employees under Category 1 (特定技能1号) is legally required to prepare and implement a support plan covering assistance from before the worker's arrival through their eventual departure. Support may either be handled in-house or outsourced to a Registered Support Organization (登録支援機関, RSO). This article explains what the support plan must cover and how to decide between in-house delivery and outsourcing to an RSO.

The 10 Required Support Items

Requirements to Deliver Support In-House

To deliver the support plan without outsourcing, you must appoint a designated support officer who meets the following criteria:

• Must be an officer or employee of the company (not an outside party)
• Must have at least 2 years of experience in the past 5 years providing life-consultation services to mid-to-long-term residents or permanent residents — or equivalent knowledge and experience
• Must be able to provide support in a stable, ongoing manner
• Company must have sufficient staffing capacity relative to the number of SSW employees accepted

Pros and Cons of Outsourcing to a Registered Support Organization

• ✓ Pro: Operational burden of running the support program is transferred to the RSO. Companies that cannot meet the in-house officer requirements can still accept SSW workers.
• ✓ Pro: RSOs often provide multilingual support and specialized expertise that most hiring companies cannot replicate internally.
• × Con: Outsourcing costs apply — typically ¥20,000–¥50,000 per worker per month.
• × Con: Outsourcing does not relieve the company of ultimate legal responsibility. If an RSO fails in its duties, the company still bears liability for support plan compliance.

Checklist for Selecting a Registered Support Organization

• Confirm registration: Verify the RSO's registration number on the Immigration Services Agency website.
• Language and sector coverage: Confirm the RSO supports the worker's native language and your industry.
• Track record and service quality: Assess interview frequency, emergency response, and Japanese language training quality.
• Transparent pricing: Request a clear breakdown of setup fees, monthly fees, and any additional charges.
• Scope of delegation: Specify in the contract whether you are delegating the full plan or only parts — and confirm who bears responsibility for each element.

How Sakura Central Legal Office Can Help

We assist with SSW application procedures, support plan drafting, and coordination with Registered Support Organizations. We also handle residence status applications directly. Free initial consultation available.