754 Companies Have Had Technical Intern Training Plans Revoked; Manufacturing and Construction Account for 70%, Aichi Tops List
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Tokyo Shoko Research published survey findings on October 1, 2026 based on its tabulation and analysis of revocation data released by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. According to the survey, 754 companies have had their technical intern training plans revoked since the current system took effect in November 2017. The research firm says this is the first time it has conducted such a survey.
By fiscal year, the peak was 177 companies in fiscal 2021, and more than 100 companies have been named annually since then except in fiscal 2024. Fiscal 2026 stood at 50 companies through August, roughly the same pace as the previous year. By industry — covering 660 companies — manufacturing led with 255 companies (38.6%), followed by construction with 214 (32.4%); together those two industries accounted for roughly 70% of the total. Services and other sectors followed with 82 companies (12.4%), wholesale with 45 (6.8%), and agriculture, forestry, fisheries and mining with 31 (4.7%).
By prefecture, Aichi had the most with 46 companies (6.9%), followed by Osaka with 42 (6.3%), Hiroshima with 41 (6.2%), Ehime with 37, and Tokyo with 28. Common grounds for revocation reportedly include unpaid wages and human rights violations against trainees. A company whose plan is revoked is barred from accepting technical intern trainees for five years.
Current status: With the employment for skill development system set to replace the technical intern training system in April 2027, compliance frameworks at host companies remain an ongoing issue. This article will be updated as further details emerge.
Editorial Perspective
The Technical Intern Training Program is set to be replaced by the new Employment for Skill Development system in April 2027 (related article), and developments like this one can be seen as part of the institutional design process during that transition. Expanding acceptance also requires resolving practical issues such as broker problems in sending countries and building proper oversight systems among accepting employers. For the new system to work as intended rather than merely on paper, it will be important to continue examining how it actually operates once implemented.