Sorry tech bros who nihongo tabemasen, looks like they just tightened up these visas as of the guidance for screening published today
Japan just tightened the Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services status (技術・人文知識・国際業務). For applications filed on or after April 15, 2026, some applicants now have to submit extra documents showing Japanese ability at about the B2 level. Based on the official ISA status page language, JLPT N2 or higher counts as acceptable proof, so this does not appear to be “you need a separate CEFR certificate” — an N2 pass should work. This nuance was something I was tracking which is why I found this new guidance listed this morning.
This does not look like a major rewrite of immigration law itself. It looks more like an application/document requirement and screening change for this specific residence status. The general COE procedure page says applicants submit the forms and supporting materials required for the intended status, so in practice the company or its scrivener would usually submit your Japanese-proof document as part of the COE package.
The status in question is the one used for a lot of white-collar professional jobs in Japan (tech bros): engineers, IT, analysts, marketing, interpreters/translators, designers, and other specialist corporate roles
source
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/gijinkoku.html?
by Admirable_Musubi682