The Organization for the Assessment of Foreign Workers' Skills in the Food Industry (OTAFF) is a general incorporated association.
OTAFF has announced that it will change the specific skills examinations (No. 1 and No. 2 examinations for food and beverage manufacturing and food service industries) conducted in Japan to computer-based testing starting in 2026.

■ Target exam
・Food service industry sector Specific Skills No. 1 and No. 2 Skills Assessment Test (Domestic)
・Food and beverage manufacturing sector Specific Skills No. 1 and No. 2 Skills Assessment Test (Domestic)

With the introduction of the CBT method, the number of exams and test centers is scheduled to increase.
*CBT (Computer Based Testing) is a method in which you take the exam using a computer installed at the exam venue.

■ Main changes (planned)
・Exam format: Change from paper exam (mark sheet) to CBT format
・Exam content: Exam time, number of questions, passing criteria, and exam fee will remain unchanged.
・Number of tests: Planned to expand from approximately three times a year to continuous testing throughout the year
・Testing locations: Planned expansion from approximately 13 locations nationwide to more than a dozen locations


■ Implementation and reservation start date (planned)
・Test start date: June 2026
・Reservations start: Around May 2026


■ Note
Due to the system switch, new registrations and changes to My Page (individuals and companies) will not be possible during the following period.
[My Page suspension period]
March 1st to March 31st, 2026 (planned)

Detailed dates and procedures will be announced on the OTAFF official website (https://otaff1.jp/) once they are decided.

Details: Organization for Assessment of Foreign Workers' Skills in the Food Industry (OTAFF) | The specific skills test administered by OTAFF in Japan will be changed to computer-based testing from 2026 [pdf format: 176kb]
https://otaff1.jp/upload/news/492/file.pdf