For some context, I am a manufacturing engineer by trade, but I am in Japan under an instructor visa at the moment. I am currently in the process of searching for engineering jobs, and upon acceptance, I will need to switch my visa type to engineering/specialist.
I have not taken the JLPT yet as it was not available in my state when I lived in the US (but I am signed up to take the N1 here in July). I am fluent in Japanese for all intents and purposes. I am applying to regular engineering jobs (not 外資系 or positions geared towards foreigners).
My issue is that during interviews I am asked what it would look like to change my visa (many of these companies I've interviewed with have little to no foreign workers, so the managers have no idea how this process works) and with the new policies I am unsure how this would work myself.
Technically, Japanese fluency is not a written requirement on the 求人票 for any place I've applied to because it is obviously required. I've read that the certification requirement is only for jobs EXPLICITLY requiring Japanese as a listed requirement.
It is also vague whether the requirement is just for newcomers filing for a visa through CoE or if those changing status also apply…only international graduates from Japanese schools are explicitly exempt in the policy so I'm unsure if my case of going from intructor to engineer is also exempt.
I am hoping to be hired somewhere well before the end of August when results are likely to come, so I will probably have to deal with this sans JLPT score unless I'm really unlucky in job searching. I am considering taking the BJT in the interim, but I don't want to pay the test fee and travel costs when I've already paid for the JLPT, unless it is actually necissary.
Any clarification on the above uncertainties from someone more knowledgeable would be hugely appreciated…
by ComfortableMuted6153