Anyone here moved to Japan with a skilled trade background? Looking for advice on NDT work after language school

Hey everyone,

I’m curious if anyone here has had a similar path or knows someone who has.

I have 10 years of experience in non-destructive testing (NDT) radiography and hold a Level 2 certification. My background is entirely in industrial X-ray inspection, but I don’t have a college degree.

My current plan:

Save up about $100,000 USD before I go.

Attend a two-year Japanese language school in Okayama, aiming to reach JLPT N1 by the end.

If needed, follow that with two years at a Japanese trade school related to my field (or a relevant technical discipline) to improve my chances of landing an NDT job in Japan.

Has anyone here made the jump to Japan with a similar skilled trade career?

How realistic is it to find NDT work here without a degree but with a decade of experience?

Would a trade school in Japan significantly improve my odds?

Does NDT qualify for Japan’s “10 years of professional experience” work visa category?

I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s worked in technical fields in Japan, especially in manufacturing, aerospace, or other industries that rely heavily on NDT.

Thanks in advance!