New pathway opens doors for Thai and ASEAN talent to secure skilled roles in Japan’s thriving hospitality sector
Dusit Thani College, Thailand’s leading institute for hospitality education under Dusit International, has achieved a major milestone by becoming the country’s first certified centre to administer Japan’s Accommodation Industry Proficiency Test. The certification creates a direct pathway for Thai and ASEAN talent to train, gain official skills recognition, and pursue employment in Japan’s hospitality sector under the government’s Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa program.
The announcement follows a multi-party agreement signed on 2 September 2025 with the General Incorporated Association Center for Accommodation Industry Proficiency Test, the All Japan Ryokan Hotel Association, and key partners including the Kyoto Convention & Visitors Bureau and Jeducation language school in Bangkok.
Aligned with Dusit Thani College’s fast-track Talent Opportunity Programme (TOP), which prepares participants for entry-level roles in just six months, the new pathway equips aspiring professionals with hospitality training, language skills, and official certification – all in Thailand. Successful graduates will then qualify for skilled positions in Japan, with opportunities ranging from traditional ryokan to international hotels.
The All Japan Ryokan Hotel Association, representing more than 15,000 inns and hotels, will connect certified candidates with employers via dedicated job fairs in Bangkok. Dusit Hotels and Resorts will also welcome graduates to its Kyoto properties, further enhancing international placement opportunities.
“This collaboration directly addresses Japan’s hospitality skills shortage while giving our students life-changing career opportunities,” said John Lohr, Executive Director of External Affairs, Dusit Thani College. “It is a win–win for our students, our partners, and the wider industry.”
Recruitment for the TOP Japan Pathway programme begins in October 2025, with the first examinations and employer fairs scheduled for February 2026.
At a Glance
- Certification Milestone: Dusit Thani College becomes Thailand’s first official testing centre for Japan’s Accommodation Industry Proficiency Test
- Pathway to Japan: Train in Thailand, gain certification, qualify for employment via Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa
- Industry Support: Backed by the All Japan Ryokan Hotel Association, Kyoto Convention & Visitors Bureau, Jeducation, and Dusit Hotels & Resorts
- Career Opportunities: Placement at ryokan, hotels, and Dusit properties in Japan including Dusit Thani Kyoto and ASAI Kyoto Shijo
- Timeline: Recruitment opens October 2025; exams and job fairs from February 2026
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