An SSW interview in Japan usually follows the same pattern. You introduce yourself (自己紹介, jikoshoukai), then you answer questions about why you chose Japan and this company, your Japanese, your past work, your health and how you handle problems. Below are 15 common questions, each with a polite model answer in Japanese, an English meaning and a tip on why employers ask it.
- common questions with model answers
- 15
- ideal self-introduction length
- 1 min
- polite forms are enough
- です・ます
- questions to ask the employer
- 2
The interview is a key step on the way to SSW. The official SSW portal lists it between passing your tests and signing your employment contract. Employers use it to answer one question: can this person work safely with our team in Japanese? You don't need perfect Japanese. You need clear, polite, prepared answers.
Your self-introduction first
The first question is almost always 自己紹介をお願いします (please introduce yourself). Prepare it before anything else. It sets the tone for the whole interview.
About you
Converted automatically. Japanese writes foreign names by sound, so check it and edit if it sounds wrong.
Your self-introduction
11 sentencesはじめまして。
はじめまして。
Hajimemashite.
Nice to meet you.
ラメシュ・タパと申します。
ラメシュ・タパともうします。
Ramesh Thapa to mōshimasu.
My name is Ramesh Thapa.
ネパールのポカラから参りました。
ネパールのポカラからまいりました。
Nepāru no Pokhara kara mairimashita.
I come from Pokhara, Nepal.
24歳です。
にじゅうよんさいです。
Nijūyon-sai desu.
I am 24 years old.
日本語は6か月勉強しております。
にほんごはろっかげつべんきょうしております。
Nihongo wa rokkagetsu benkyō shite orimasu.
I have been studying Japanese for 6 months.
国で2年間、工場の仕事をしておりました。
くにでにねんかん、こうじょうのしごとをしておりました。
Kuni de ni-nenkan, kōjō no shigoto o shite orimashita.
In my country, I worked in a factory for 2 years.
介護の分野で働きたいと思っております。
かいごのぶんやではたらきたいとおもっております。
Kaigo no bun'ya de hatarakitai to omotte orimasu.
I would like to work in the Nursing Care field.
日本で働いて、技術を身につけたいと思っております。
にほんではたらいて、ぎじゅつをみにつけたいとおもっております。
Nihon de hataraite, gijutsu o mi ni tsuketai to omotte orimasu.
I want to work in Japan and gain real job skills.
趣味はサッカーと料理です。
しゅみはサッカーとりょうりです。
Shumi wa sakkā to ryōri desu.
My hobbies are football and cooking.
一生懸命がんばります。
いっしょうけんめいがんばります。
Isshōkenmei ganbarimasu.
I will do my very best.
どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。
どうぞよろしくおねがいいたします。
Dōzo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.
Thank you, and I look forward to working with you.
Interviews often ask about your JFT-Basic result.
Check your level freeSentences come from our own checked templates; only your name, country and hometown are converted to katakana. Practise them aloud until you can say them without reading.
A template you can fill in
Replace the parts in brackets. Say it slowly. It should take about 40 to 60 seconds.
In English: "Nice to meet you. I am (name), from (country). I am (age). I worked as (job) in (country) for (years) years. My strength is (strength). In Japan I want to work hard in (field). Thank you, I look forward to working with you."
Three small rules:
- Say と申します (to moushimasu), not です, after your name. It is the humble way to say "I am".
- Say your family name or the name on your passport, so it matches your documents.
- End with a bow while you say よろしくお願いいたします.
15 common SSW interview questions and model answers
The model answers follow one example candidate: Ram, 25, from Nepal, who worked three years in a hotel restaurant and is applying for an accommodation job. Change the details to match your life. Never memorise an answer that isn't true. Interviewers ask follow-up questions.
1. Please introduce yourself
Q: 自己紹介をお願いします。 (じこしょうかいをおねがいします)
A: はじめまして。ネパール出身のラム・タパと申します。二十五歳です。カトマンズのホテルのレストランで、三年間働いていました。日本のホテルで働きたいと思っています。どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。
Meaning: Nice to meet you. I'm Ram Thapa from Nepal. I'm 25. I worked for three years in a hotel restaurant in Kathmandu. I want to work in a Japanese hotel. Thank you.
Why they ask: to hear your Japanese in the first minute. Speak slowly and smile.
2. Why do you want to work in Japan?
Q: どうして日本で働きたいのですか。 (どうしてにほんではたらきたいのですか)
A: 日本の「おもてなし」を、実際の仕事の中で学びたいからです。日本は安全で、ルールを大切にする国なので、安心して働けると思いました。
Meaning: Because I want to learn Japanese hospitality through real work. Japan is safe and values rules, so I felt I could work with peace of mind.
Why they ask: to check your motivation is about the work, not only money. Give one reason linked to your job.
3. Why did you choose our company?
Q: どうしてこの会社を選びましたか。 (どうしてこのかいしゃをえらびましたか)
A: ホームページで、外国人スタッフの研修が充実していることを知りました。私もここでしっかり学んで、成長したいと思い、応募しました。
Meaning: I learned on your website that you have good training for foreign staff. I want to learn well and grow here, so I applied.
Why they ask: to see if you researched them. Read the company website the night before and mention one real detail.
4. How long have you studied Japanese?
Q: 日本語はどのぐらい勉強しましたか。 (にほんごはどのぐらいべんきょうしましたか)
A: 一年半ぐらい勉強しました。JFT-Basicでは二百十点を取りました。今はN3を目指して、毎日一時間勉強しています。
Meaning: About a year and a half. I scored 210 on JFT-Basic. Now I study one hour a day towards N3.
Why they ask: to see if you will keep improving. Always say what you are studying now.
5. Tell me about your previous job
Q: 前の仕事について教えてください。 (まえのしごとについておしえてください)
A: ホテルのレストランで、料理を運んだり、テーブルを準備したりしていました。忙しい時間でも、お客様を待たせないように気をつけていました。
Meaning: At a hotel restaurant I served food and set tables. Even at busy times, I made sure customers didn't wait.
Why they ask: to match your skills to the job. Use the 〜たり〜たりしていました pattern to list two tasks.
6. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Q: あなたの長所と短所は何ですか。 (あなたのちょうしょとたんしょはなんですか)
A: 長所は、時間を守ることです。前の職場では、一度も遅刻しませんでした。短所は、少し心配性なところです。でも、そのおかげで確認を忘れません。
Meaning: My strength is being on time. I was never late at my last job. My weakness is that I worry a little. But because of that, I never forget to double-check.
Why they ask: to see if you know yourself. Pair a weakness with how you manage it.
7. Are you confident in your health and stamina?
Q: 体力に自信はありますか。 (たいりょくにじしんはありますか)
A: はい、自信があります。前の仕事では、一日八時間ほとんど立って働いていました。毎朝、ジョギングもしています。
Meaning: Yes. At my last job I stood for almost eight hours a day. I also jog every morning.
Why they ask: most SSW jobs are physical. Give a concrete example, not just "yes".
8. Can you work night shifts or overtime?
Q: 夜勤や残業はできますか。 (やきんやざんぎょうはできますか)
A: はい、大丈夫です。シフトに合わせて働くことができます。
Meaning: Yes, that's fine. I can work according to the shift schedule.
Why they ask: hotels, care homes and factories run long hours. Answer honestly. If you have a real limit, say it politely now, not after you arrive.
9. Is anything worrying you about life in Japan?
Q: 日本の生活で、心配なことはありますか。 (にほんのせいかつで、しんぱいなことはありますか)
A: 冬の寒さが少し心配です。でも、日本に住んでいる友達にアドバイスをもらって、準備しています。
Meaning: I'm a little worried about the cold winter. But I'm getting advice from a friend who lives in Japan, and I'm preparing.
Why they ask: to see if you will settle well. Name a small worry and show you are dealing with it.
10. What do you do when you feel stressed?
Q: ストレスがたまったとき、どうしますか。 (ストレスがたまったとき、どうしますか)
A: 休みの日に料理をしたり、家族と電話で話したりします。そうすると、また元気に働けます。
Meaning: On my day off I cook or talk with my family on the phone. Then I can work with energy again.
Why they ask: living far from home is hard. Show you have healthy habits.
11. What will you do if you make a mistake at work?
Q: 仕事でミスをしたら、どうしますか。 (しごとでミスをしたら、どうしますか)
A: すぐに上司に報告して、謝ります。それから、同じミスをしないように、メモを取ります。
Meaning: I report it to my supervisor at once and apologise. Then I take notes so I don't repeat it.
Why they ask: Japanese workplaces value 報告・連絡・相談 (hou-ren-sou: report, inform, consult). Hiding a mistake is the worst answer.
12. What will you do if you don't understand something?
Q: 分からないことがあったら、どうしますか。 (わからないことがあったら、どうしますか)
A: そのままにしないで、すぐに先輩や上司に質問します。教えてもらったことはメモして、何度も同じことを聞かないようにします。
Meaning: I don't leave it. I ask a senior colleague or my supervisor right away. I write down what I learn so I don't ask the same thing again and again.
Why they ask: a worker who nods without understanding can cause accidents. Asking is a strength.
13. How long do you want to work in Japan?
Q: 日本で何年ぐらい働きたいですか。 (にほんでなんねんぐらいはたらきたいですか)
A: まずは、この会社で五年間しっかり働きたいです。そのあとも、特定技能2号を目指して、長く働きたいと考えています。
Meaning: First, I want to work hard at this company for five years. After that, I'd like to aim for SSW (ii) and work for a long time.
Why they ask: hiring and training cost money. SSW (i) allows up to five years in total, and some fields have an SSW (ii) route with no upper limit. Check your field has one before you mention it.
14. What do you do on your days off?
Q: 休みの日は何をしていますか。 (やすみのひはなにをしていますか)
A: サッカーをしています。日本に行ったら、地域のチームに入って、日本人の友達を作りたいです。
Meaning: I play football. In Japan, I'd like to join a local team and make Japanese friends.
Why they ask: to see if you will join the community. Link your hobby to life in Japan.
15. Do you have any questions?
Q: 最後に、何か質問はありますか。 (さいごに、なにかしつもんはありますか)
A: はい。入社までに、勉強しておいたほうがいいことはありますか。
Meaning: Yes. Is there anything I should study before I start?
Why they ask: to see your interest. Never answer ありません (none). See more questions to ask below.
Key interview words
Words you will hear in the interview
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 面接 | めんせつ | interview |
| 面接官 | めんせつかん | interviewer |
| 長所・短所 | ちょうしょ・たんしょ | strength, weakness |
| 経験 | けいけん | experience |
| 志望動機 | しぼうどうき | reason for applyingA common written and spoken question |
| 夜勤 | やきん | night shift |
| 残業 | ざんぎょう | overtime |
| 履歴書 | りれきしょ | CV / résuméJapanese-style CV form |
| 入社 | にゅうしゃ | joining the company |
Which answer sounds more polite?
0 of 5 right
1.面接官：「お名前は？」
2.質問が聞き取れませんでした。
3.ドアをノックしました。「どうぞ」と言われました。
4.答えが分かりません。
5.面接が終わりました。
Interview manners: knocking, bowing and sitting
Japanese interviewers notice manners as much as words. Practise these moves once at home.
Knock and enter
Knock three times, gently. When you hear どうぞ, open the door and say 失礼します (shitsurei shimasu). Close the door quietly, facing it.
Bow and greet
Stand next to the chair. Say your name: （名前）と申します。よろしくお願いいたします。 Then bow about 30 degrees, back straight, hands at your sides or in front.
Wait, then sit
Wait for どうぞおかけください (please sit down). Say 失礼します and sit. Put your bag on the floor beside the chair. Sit up straight, hands on your knees.
Answer clearly
Look at the interviewer. Start answers with はい. Keep answers short: two or three sentences. If you don't hear, ask: もう一度お願いできますか.
Finish and leave
Stand up, say 本日はありがとうございました and bow. At the door, turn, say 失礼いたします, bow once more and leave.
Clothes: a dark suit, or dark trousers with a plain white shirt. Neat hair, clean shoes, little perfume.
Online interview tips
Many SSW interviews happen online, from your country, at a time set in Japan time. Japan does not use daylight saving time. Here is what a 10:00 interview in Japan means where you live:
10:00 in Japan is…
- Nepal06:45
- India06:30
- Philippines09:00
- Indonesia08:00
- Myanmar07:30
- Vietnam08:00
- Sri Lanka06:30
- Bangladesh07:00
- Cambodia08:00
- Thailand08:00
- Mongolia09:00
- Uzbekistan06:00
- Pakistan06:00
- Japan10:00
- Test everything the day before: the app, the link, your camera, microphone and internet. Use earphones with a microphone.
- Camera at eye level, a plain wall behind you, light in front of you, not behind.
- Look at the camera when you speak, not at your own face on the screen.
- Dress fully, as for an in-person interview. You may need to stand up.
- Bow on screen at the start and end. A smaller bow from your seat is fine.
- If the sound breaks, say すみません、音声が聞こえにくいです。 (Sorry, the sound is hard to hear.)
- Keep your notes off-screen. Reading aloud is easy to spot.
What to ask the employer
Prepare two questions. These show you want to do the job well:
- 入社までに、勉強しておいたほうがいいことはありますか。 Is there anything I should study before I start?
- 研修は、どのように行われますか。 How is the training done?
- 外国人のスタッフは、何人ぐらい働いていますか。 About how many foreign staff work here?
- 住まいについて、会社のサポートはありますか。 Does the company give support with housing?
Pay, hours and holidays must be in your written employment contract. The SSW portal advises you to read the contract carefully before you sign, and employers must also give SSW workers set kinds of support with life in Japan. Ask your agency or the company to explain anything you don't understand.
Free toolLearn the phrases for your jobCare, food, construction, hotels and more: the Japanese you will use on day one. Great follow-up answers for your interview.The night before your interview
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Keep improving your Japanese
The interview tests the same skills as the JFT-Basic: listening to polite Japanese and answering clearly. If you haven't reached A2 yet, or want to check you still have it, take the free practice test. It takes about 15 minutes and gives you a score estimate.
Free toolTake the free JFT-Basic practice test12 original questions in the real format, with a score estimate. No sign-up.