I'm a 22-year-old Malaysian male who didn't pass his SPM. Does that only count as proof of 11 years of education? I'm currently working as a cashier at a traditional coffee stall in the F&B industry in Singapore. I've noticed that Singapore's foreign worker tax has been rising in recent years, and employers are gradually eliminating less educated employees due to rising employment costs. I'm feeling a sense of crisis and am considering exploring other countries. My English proficiency is only around A2-B1. I've considered self-studying to get a GED to complete my 12-year education, but I'm not yet at that level and don't have the funds for classes. I've only just started learning Japanese and can only speak a few. A2: I saw Japan's Specified Skilled Worker 1/2 programs online and am wondering if I can try going to Japan. My plan is to save some money in Singapore, then rent a room in Malaysia for six months/a year to study English and Japanese on my own. I'll then try to take the Specified Skilled Worker Qualification Test, the JFT, and the GED, and then find a job to move to Japan. I'm considering Tokyo and Osaka, where competition is fierce. Since I'm going to pursue the Specified Skilled Worker program first, I'm thinking of areas like Fukuoka, where the cost of living is lower and savings rates are faster. I'd like to continue studying Japanese and gain work experience while working, then switch to Specified Skilled Worker 2. Once I've saved enough, I'll apply to vocational school. I've roughly researched that Japan is in need of jobs in areas like hotels, video studios, factories, restaurants, and IT. After that, I'd like to try to stay in Japan by obtaining a cultural (skilled worker) visa to accumulate permanent residency. I'm not sure if this route is likely to work, but I've tried to choose the easiest and most likely path. I've also done some research on living expenses and tuition fees, and I've looked into some possible options. I think it might be easier in rural Japan, but online resources are limited. I'd like to ask if anyone has any experience with this and can share their success rates. I might also need to modify any steps. Thank you.
by eriyoni_reya2025