Building Cleaning Management Jobs in Japan: SSW Guide

Japan’s structured approach to hygiene has created an entire industry around commercial cleaning, and it's now opening its doors to foreign workers through the building cleaning SSW Japan program. For many Nepalese youth seeking a dignified, stable, and legal employment opportunity abroad, this sector presents both purpose and promise with fair salary pay.

As part of Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) system, the cleaning industry has been designated a vital field in need of overseas support. This need is influenced by Japan’s ageing population and expanding urban landscape.

With proper training and certification, Nepalese workers can secure cleaning jobs across Japan, from bustling Tokyo offices to serene countryside inns, backed by visa sponsorship, a stable income, and long-term growth opportunities.

Table of Contents

1. What is SSW in Building Cleaning Management?
2. Types of Jobs in SSW Building Cleaning Management
3. Building Cleaning SSW Salary in Japan for Nepalese
4. SSW Building Cleaning Visa Requirements for Nepalese
5. How to Apply for SSW Building Cleaning Visa from Nepal
6. Challenges Faced by Nepalese Workers in Cleaning SSW
7. Living and Working in Japan as a Building Cleaning Worker
8. Nepal Government Rules and Cleaning SSW in Japan
9. Join SSW Building Cleaning Preparation Classes
10. FAQs - SSW Building Cleaning Japan

What is SSW in Building Cleaning Management?

Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa for building cleaning management provides legal access for foreign workers to enter Japan’s cleaning roles that contribute to the country’s public health standards and environmental sanitation.  Building Cleaning Management is one of 12 job fields approved under the Tokutei Ginou (SSW) program and stands out for its structured work routine, cultural significance, and high demand for foreign manpower.

Background of the Cleaning Sector in Japan

Cleanliness in Japan isn’t just a preference; it’s a societal value. Streets are spotless, public toilets are disinfected regularly, and office buildings gleam every morning. Their focus on cleanliness makes them a leader in the maintenance of hygiene, health, and order.

To maintain these standards, Japan has built a sophisticated cleaning sector with strict protocols, specialised machinery, and detailed performance checklists. As the population ages, with around 30% of its total population being over 65, the country faces a shortage of young, strong workers, particularly in industries like cleaning that require physical activity and consistency.

That’s where the SSW system steps in. Building cleaning is one of the few job sectors open under both SSW-1 and SSW-2 categories. While SSW-1 allows a five-year renewable visa with no family accompaniment, SSW-2 offers potential for longer stay and family visa sponsorship, depending on job performance and employer needs.

Types of Jobs in SSW Building Cleaning Management

SSW’s Building cleaning program covers a wide range of roles across public, private, and specialised sectors. From hospitals to hotels, Nepalese workers have the chance to join professional cleaning teams that maintain high hygiene standards in Japan’s busiest environments. These jobs differ by location, facility type, and the level of responsibility and technicality involved. 

1. Public and Private Cleaning Roles in Japan

Japan’s urban and rural buildings require routine maintenance, and workers are hired for:

• Station cleaning staff – Clean train platforms, ticket counters, and waiting areas
• Office building cleaning jobs – Daily maintenance of workspaces, meeting rooms, and washrooms
  Hospital and clinic cleaners – Sanitize wards, operation rooms, and corridors under strict protocols
• School and university maintenance staff – Ensure clean classrooms and safe sanitation areas
• Government building cleaning – Maintain cleanliness in administrative departments and public service halls
• Dormitory and factory janitorial staff – Clean worker accommodations and factory interiors
• Elderly home support cleaning – Clean personal rooms and common areas in nursing homes

These roles demand punctuality, discipline, and teamwork — all qualities that are highly respected in Japanese culture.

2. Specialized Roles

Some roles require additional training or experience due to the nature of the environment or equipment:

• Dental and clinical cleaning staff – Handle bio-waste, disinfect tools, and maintain sterile rooms
• Hotel room attendants and guestroom checkers – Clean beds, toilets, and common guest areas, often with inspection responsibilities
• Public pool and spa cleaners – Maintain hygiene in changing rooms, pools, saunas, and water-based areas
• Restaurant and kitchen hygiene assistants – Clean kitchen appliances, storage units, and customer areas in restaurants
• Equipment maintenance staff – Responsible for cleaning, checking, and reporting faults in cleaning machines and materials
   

These roles often come with additional incentives and promotion opportunities, especially in private companies and hotel chains.

Building Cleaning SSW Salary in Japan for Nepalese

For Nepalese workers, the building cleaning SSW Japan program provides a stable monthly income, regular work hours, and benefits that increase with experience and location. The salary may vary based on the employer, shift timing, and placement area (urban vs rural), but overall, it is competitive and sustainable.

SSW Building Cleaning Monthly Salary Range

The salary of most building cleaners in Japan falls within the range of ¥170,000 to ¥230,000 per month (approximately NPR 150,000 to NPR 205,000 every month).

In cities like Tokyo or Osaka, salaries are often at the higher end due to the cost of living and heavier workloads. In smaller towns or suburban areas, salaries may be slightly lower, but with lower living costs and often employer-provided housing.
 

Allowances and Bonuses

Beyond basic salary, many employers offer additional support:

• Night shift allowance – Additional ¥3,000–¥10,000 per month
• Overtime pay – Typically 125% of regular hourly wage
• Bonus payouts – Annual or semi-annual bonuses based on performance
• Accommodation and meals – Some companies provide shared housing and free or subsidized meals
• Transportation and uniform – Covered by employer in most contracts
   

These benefits improve the take-home value and reduce daily living expenses, especially useful for first-time migrants adjusting to Japan.

SSW Building Cleaning Visa Requirements for Nepalese

To qualify for an SSW visa for building cleaning management, Nepalese candidates must meet specific language and skills requirements set by the Japanese government. These criteria are designed to ensure that workers are prepared for real-world duties in Japan’s structured cleaning environments and are able to adapt smoothly.

1. General Eligibility

To apply, Nepalese candidates must fulfill the following:

• Age: Between 18 and 35 years preferred
• Health: Physically fit for cleaning work
• Criminal record: Clean background with no legal issues
• Exams: Must pass the required language and skills tests
• Willingness to relocate: Agreement to work in Japan for a contract period
   

The SSW route is designed for employment-based entry, so only candidates who pass skill tests are qualified.

2. Japanese Language Test

All applicants must prove basic language proficiency by passing either:

• JFT-Basic (Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese)
• JLPT N4 (Japanese Language Proficiency Test – Level N4)
   

These tests assess your ability to understand and use daily Japanese words, simple instructions, and polite expressions essential for communication with supervisors, clients, or coworkers to work in the cleaning industry.

You can prepare for these tests with a reputed language institute in Nepal.

Consulting an institute providing both Japanese language classes and SSW skill preparation classes is even better.

3. SSW Skills Test – Building Cleaning Prometric Exam

This test is mandatory and checks your actual cleaning knowledge. It is conducted by Prometric Japan and is available online in authorized test centers across Nepal.

• Duration: ~1 hour
• Format: Multiple choice (basic understanding of tools, safety, procedures)
• Language: Japanese (with optional translation support)
• Certificate: Issued digitally after result clearance
   

To apply, candidates must register online, select the “Building Cleaning” category, and appear at the nearest Prometric center on the scheduled date.

Subject Areas of the Cleaning Test

The Prometric cleaning exam is divided into eight subject areas:

1. Preparation of work – Understanding pre-cleaning inspections
2. Handling of instruments – Safe use of brushes, vacuums, buckets
3. Handling of materials – Managing cleaning agents, detergents, and waste bags
4. Handling of machines – Floor polishers, scrubbers, vacuum machines
5. Cleaning by site – Toilets, windows, offices, and lobbies
6. Cleaning by location – Different floor types, walls, stairs
7. Waste disposal work – Proper segregation and recycling of trash
8. Maintenance of instruments and machines – Cleaning, repairing, and storing tools safely
    

SSW Training institutes in Nepal help candidates study these topics in Nepali and Japanese, with a structured curriculum,  making exam prep easier.

4. Required Documents for SSW Visa

When applying for the SSW visa, these documents are needed:

• Language test certificate (JFT-Basic or JLPT N4)
• Prometric cleaning skills certificate
• Valid passport
• Citizenship and academic certificates
• Health check-up report
• Training verification letter (if attending formal training)
   

How to Apply for SSW Building Cleaning Visa from Nepal

Applying for the building cleaning SSW visa involves a structured process that includes training, testing, documentation, and direct job placement through licensed agencies or vocational colleges. If done right, the process is transparent, stepwise, and achievable.

Step-by-Step Application SSW Visa Process 

Here’s how a Nepalese candidate can apply for a cleaning job in Japan under the SSW program:

1. Enroll in Training
   Join a certified institute or vocational college that offers SSW building cleaning courses, language prep, and application support.
    
2. Clear the Japanese Language Test
   Pass the JFT-Basic or JLPT N4 exam. Training centers often conduct mock tests and provide practice materials.
    
3. Pass the Prometric Cleaning Skills Test
   Register for the building cleaning prometric exam. Take the test at an authorized center in Nepal.
    
4. Prepare Your Documents
   Collect your language and skills certificates, passport, academic records, and health report.
    
5. Job Matching and Interview
   The training institute or consultant arranges interviews with Japanese employers who are seeking foreign cleaning staff.
    
6. Certificate of Eligibility (COE) Application
   Once selected, the employer applies for your COE in Japan — a legal document needed for visa processing.
    
7. Visa Application at Japanese Embassy
   After COE approval, apply for your SSW visa at the Japanese Embassy in Kathmandu.
    
8. Pre-Departure Orientation and Departure
   Attend the pre-departure orientation conducted by Nepal's Department of Foreign Employment, then fly to Japan.
    

Need more detailed help? Read our complete SSW Visa Application Guide for Nepalese Workers

Interview Preparation for Cleaning Roles

Interviews with Japanese employers are short but important. Here’s how to prepare:

• Common Questions:
  • “Why do you want to work in Japan?”
  • “What cleaning tools have you used?”
  • “Can you follow Japanese instructions?”
     
• Cultural Etiquette Tips:
  • Greet with a bow and say “Hajimemashite” (Nice to meet you)
  • Maintain eye contact politely
  • Be punctual and respectful in answers
     
• Basic Japanese Greetings to Learn:
  • Ohayou gozaimasu – Good morning
  • Arigatou gozaimasu – Thank you
  • Hai – Yes
  • Wakarimashita – Understood
  • Onegai shimasu – Please
     

Preparing well shows the employer your seriousness and respect for Japanese work culture.

Join Tokutei Gino Ikusei for Interview Preparation and Free Mock Sessions

Challenges Faced by Nepalese Workers in Cleaning SSW

While building cleaning SSW Japan offers legal employment and income stability, the journey isn’t without its challenges. Many Nepalese workers face real hurdles like language barriers and cultural differences that can affect their adaptation and job performance in Japan’s highly organized work culture.

Being aware of these issues in advance can help you prepare better and avoid common mistakes.

1. Language Barriers

Even after passing the JFT-Basic or JLPT N4, many Nepalese workers find real-time conversations in Japanese challenging.

• Problem: Understanding fast-paced instructions or written notices
• Reality: Cleaning tasks often involve signs, schedules, machine labels, and verbal directions
• Solution: Practice daily conversations, workplace terms, and listen to Japanese audio materials
   

The fear of miscommunication is common, but with consistent effort, this barrier is manageable.

2. Cultural Adaptation

Japanese cleaning teams operate with a high degree of discipline, punctuality, and silence. Even minor delays or missed steps are noticed.

• Japanese punctuality: Being even one minute late is unacceptable
• Hierarchy: Juniors follow seniors strictly; respect is shown through small acts
• Work philosophy: Tasks are done without complaint, and cleaning is treated with pride
   

For Nepalese workers used to a more relaxed work setting, this cultural shift can feel intense at first. Adapting takes time but builds strong habits and work ethics.

3. Agency Scams and Misguidance

One of the most serious challenges is falling into the trap of unlicensed agents or false promises.

• Scams: Fake agencies ask for high fees, provide false documents, or make verbal job promises
• Misguidance: Some agents confuse TITP and SSW, misleading applicants about salary, duration, or job type
   

Important Reminder:
Work only through licensed vocational colleges, approved consultants, or directly recognized institutions like Tokutei Ginou Ikusei Vocational College.

If an offer sounds “too easy,” it probably isn’t real.

Living and Working in Japan as a Building Cleaning Worker

Working under the building cleaning SSW Japan visa introduces Nepalese workers to a highly organized lifestyle rooted in cleanliness, precision, and mutual respect. From their daily schedules to their living arrangements, workers experience a unique system that reflects Japan’s disciplined society.

Adapting to this lifestyle can feel overwhelming at first, but for many, it becomes a life-changing journey.

1. Daily Work Schedule and Duties for SSW Cleaning Workers

Cleaning workers in Japan follow structured, time-specific routines designed for maximum efficiency.

• Morning briefings: Team leaders assign tasks, distribute equipment, and share any building-specific notes
• Work hours: Typically 8 hours with fixed breaks
• Tasks: Vacuuming, scrubbing, disinfecting, garbage sorting, restocking supplies, and documenting checklists
• Safety focus: Use of gloves, masks, warning signs, and chemical handling protocols
• End-of-day report: Workers tick off completed tasks and return materials

Every movement is guided by a written or digital cleaning schedule. Supervisors inspect completed work to ensure it meets expected standards.

2. Accommodation and Living Costs

Many employers, especially large companies, offer accommodation support, including:

• Dormitories: Shared rooms with other foreign workers
• Utilities: Often covered or deducted at low rates (¥5,000–¥10,000/month)
• Food: Some companies offer subsidized meals or shared kitchens
• Transport: Company shuttle buses or public passes provided for free or at reduced rates

In suburban areas, rent and food costs are much lower than in major cities like Tokyo. This allows workers to save more from their monthly salary.

3. Culture and Community

Japan’s respect for cleanliness is not limited to the workplace. In homes and society at large, cleaning is tied to discipline, wellness, and dignity.

• Households clean daily, often in the early morning
• Children in schools clean their own classrooms
• Residents clean public areas in communities
• Festive cleaning traditions: Oosouji (big year-end house cleaning)

For Nepalese workers, this mindset may feel strict at first, but many come to appreciate the order, safety, and calm it brings to daily life.

Moreover, Nepalese communities in cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya provide cultural support, local help, and a social circle for new arrivals.

Nepal Government Rules and Cleaning SSW in Japan

To protect the rights of Nepalese workers abroad, the Government of Nepal has introduced specific rules for SSW deployment. These regulations are intended to streamline overseas recruitment, prevent fraud, and maintain transparency between recruitment agencies, training institutes, and Japanese employers.

For those interested in the building cleaning SSW Japan program, understanding these rules is crucial before taking any further steps.

DoFE's Role in Safeguarding Nepalese SSW Workers

The Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) plays a crucial role in regulating and supervising Nepalese citizens' overseas employment, including those under Japan's Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa.

• Provisions & Supervision
  DoFE governs the entire recruitment process. This includes licensing recruitment agencies, verifying job demands and contracts, and monitoring adherence to the Foreign Employment Act, 2064 (2007), to ensure worker protection and transparent practices.
• Worker Compliance
  Nepalese SSW workers are mandated to abide by the laws of both Nepal (specifically the Foreign Employment Act and Rules) and Japan. This ensures legal compliance and protection in both the home and host countries.
• Mandatory Orientation
  DoFE requires all outgoing workers to attend a Pre-Departure Orientation. This essential program educates candidates on labor laws, workers' rights, Japanese culture, language basics, safety instructions, and other vital aspects for a smooth transition and safe stay.
• Licensed SSW Agency Requirement
  Nepalese individuals aspiring to work in Japan under the SSW program must apply only through a recruitment agency or vocational college officially licensed by DoFE. This ensures legitimacy and prevents fraudulent practices. 

Join SSW Building Cleaning Preparation Classes

Getting selected for the building cleaning SSW Japan visa isn’t just about passing skill and language tests; it is about proper preparation, verified training, and trusted job placement.

At Tokutei Ginou Ikusei Vocational College, we help you every step of the way from language classes to skill training, and from employer interviews to visa processing.

We are a licensed SSW support system and a trusted training institute with diligent tutors and professionals, built for Nepalese youth who want to succeed in Japan with confidence.

Our Training Programs To Prepare You for SSW Building Cleaning

Our curriculum is tailored to match the actual test and job expectations in Japan’s cleaning industry:
 

• Building cleaning practical training
  Hands-on classes on cleaning tools, machines, site-based procedures, and Japanese hygiene standards.
   
• Japanese language instruction
  • JLPT N5 to N4 level prep with speaking, writing, and comprehension support. Special focus on workplace expressions and interview phrases.
  • Complete JFT-Basic (Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese) classes to meet all the language needs for your employment in Japan
     

All instructors are certified and trained in Japan-specific content.

Our Support Services

• Test registration for JFT-Basic and Prometric exams
• Guidance on COE (Certificate of Eligibility) documentation
• Interview preparation with mock interviews and etiquette practice
• Job matching and placement with real employers in Japan who offer visa sponsorship and legal contracts

We stay in touch with each candidate even after placement, offering remote help, document translation, and emergency support.

Why Choose Our Vocational College?

• Verified partnerships with building cleaning companies in Japan
• Experienced trainers with SSW placement track records
• High pass rates in Prometric and language exams
  Success stories from dozens of Nepalese students now working across Japan
• Ethical process with no hidden charges or false promises
   

Join hundreds of others who trusted Tokutei Ginou Ikusei Vocational College to begin their journey to Japan.

FAQs - SSW Building Cleaning Japan

How much does a building cleaning SSW make in Japan?

Most SSW Building Cleaners earn between ¥170,000 to ¥230,000 per month, depending on the company, city, and shift timing. Some also get free housing, overtime pay, bonuses, and meal support so your real income can be higher than it looks on paper.

What is the basic salary of SSW in Japan?

The basic monthly salary for SSW starts from around ¥176,000. It can go higher based on your job location and company. Tokyo-based jobs usually pay more, but rural jobs offer cheaper living and more savings.

What’s the difference between SSW 1 and SSW 2?

SSW-1 is for first-time workers, and is valid for up to 5 years, but no family can join you in this visa. SSW-2 is an upgrade of SSW-1 offering you long-term stay, better job security, and you can bring your family once eligible. Few industry are as well specifically available for particular SSW visa only.

What is the full form of SSW?

It stands for Specified Skilled Worker — a legal work visa offered by the Japanese government for trained foreign workers in essential industries like cleaning, caregiving, and more.

Why are Japanese buildings so clean?

Cleanliness is a part of everyday life in Japan. From schools to offices, everyone follows strict cleaning routines. Even public spaces are spotless. As an SSW worker, you’ll join teams that treat cleaning like a professional craft, not just a task.

How much is house cleaning in Japan?

Professional home cleaning in Japan usually costs ¥3,000 to ¥6,000 per hour. But that’s a different category. SSW cleaning jobs focus on commercial spaces like offices, hotels, stations, and hospitals, not private homes.
 

Also Read

SSW Preparation In Nepal : A Guide 2025

SSW Nursing Care Visa: Work as a Nurse in Japan

SSW Food Service: Work in Japan's Hotels and Restaurants