Special Measure that Enables Foreign Chefs to Learn Japanese Cuisine while Working

To cultivate human resources who can correctly disseminate and broaden the appeal of Japanese cuisine overseas, a scheme for the implementation of a special measure that enables foreign chefs to learn Japanese cuisine while working at Japanese restaurants was approved by the national government in the framework of the Comprehensive Special Zone Plan as the “work of foreign chefs at Japanese restaurants”, which is not generally permitted under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act of Japan. The scheme has been implemented only in Kyoto City in the nation. The Japanese Culinary Academy works on the operation of the scheme in collaboration with Kyoto City.

Special Scheme

“Work of foreign chefs at Japanese restaurants” is not generally permitted under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act of Japan. For the purpose of cultivating human resources who can correctly disseminate and broaden the appeal of Japanese cuisine overseas, however, some foreign chefs are permitted to learn Japanese cuisine while working only in Kyoto City under the special measure.
Kyoto City is seeking applications from foreign chefs who want to learn techniques of Japanese cuisine while working at celebrated Japanese restaurants in Kyoto and who intend to broaden the appeal of Japanese cuisine overseas after returning to their home countries.

Main requirements

The maximum length of work is five years.
After returning to their countries, they are required to broaden the appeal of authentic Japanese cuisine overseas.
The foreign chefs need to conclude employment agreements with the Japanese restaurants designated as accepting entities by Kyoto City under the special scheme.
4. Each foreign chef needs to meet either of the following requirements:
- The foreign chef is actually employed by an overseas restaurant or similar business, will be sent to a Japanese restaurant in Kyoto City as part of its business operations, and will resume their work in the dispatching restaurant after returning to the country.
- The foreign chef is certified as a “Person with approximately two years’ practical experience (Gold)” or a “Person with approximately one year’s practical experience (Silver)” in accordance with the “Guideline for Certification of Cooking Skills for Japanese Cuisine in Foreign Countries” established by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan.
Each foreign chef needs to be recommended by the restaurant that currently employs him/her or by an independent organization that engages in culinary business to show that the chef has a certain level of knowledge and cooking skills and is well-conducted.

Let’s check it!

Let’s check it!

You are willing to learn techniques of Japanese cuisine while working at a celebrated Japanese restaurant in Kyoto and to broaden the appeal of Japanese cuisine overseas after returning to your country.
You are working at an overseas restaurant, and are able to be dispatched to Japan as part of its business operations.
You are categorized as “Gold” (person with approximately two years’ practical experience) or “Silver” (person with approximately one year’s practical experience) in accordance with the “Guideline for Certification of Cooking Skills for Japanese Cuisine in Foreign Countries”established by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan.
The recommendation of the overseas organization you belong to (restaurant, culinary school, etc.) needs to guarantee that you have cooking skills and you are well-conducted.
You will be able to enter into employment agreements with a restaurant designated as an accepting entity by Kyoto City.
Regarding your employment conditions, the compensation shall not be lower than that of Japanese employees.
This scheme aims at cultivating foreign chefs who can broaden the appeal of authentic Japanese cuisine overseas.
Those who simply want to work in Japanese restaurants are not eligible for this scheme.
You need to find a job at an overseas restaurant and make efforts to be approved to be dispatched for training in Japan, or get a “Certification of Cooking Skills for Japanese Cuisine in Foreign Countries”.
For the “Certification of Cooking Skills for Japanese Cuisine in Foreign Countries”, click here
You need to be an eligible applicant who satisfies the requirements for utilization of this scheme.
For detailed information concerning the application for utilization of the scheme, contact the Secretariat of Japanese Culinary Academy through an accepting entity.
E-mail　office@culinary-academy.jp
Recommendation by the restaurant you are working for or by an independent organization is mandatory for the utilization of this scheme.
If you are working for a restaurant, get a recommendation from the restaurant.
If you are not actually working for a restaurant, get a recommendation from a restaurant or culinary school you once belonged to.
If you are not certain which restaurants are eligible as accepting entities, please contact the Secretariat of Japanese Culinary Academy.
E-mail　office@culinary-academy.jp