Bangkok, Thailand, September 12, 2025 / TRAVELINDEX / Dusit Thani College, Thailand's leading hotel and hospitality training institution under the Dusit International brand, has been officially certified to administer the Japanese Hospitality Aptitude Test in Thailand. This will create direct pathways for Thai and ASEAN professionals to secure qualified positions in the Japanese hospitality industry.

This milestone follows the signing of an agreement on September 2, 2025, between Dusit Thani College, the General Incorporated Association Center for Accommodation Industry Proficiency Test and the All Japan Ryokan Hotel Association, with support from the Kyoto Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Jeducation language school in Bangkok.

As Thailand's first certified examination center, Dusit Thani College can now recruit and train Thai and ASEAN candidates through its renowned hospitality and culinary programs, and provide them with official qualification certification on-site. Successful graduates qualify for employment in Japan through the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa, introduced in 2019 to address the skills shortage in sectors such as hospitality and the food and beverage industry.

The new path is based on the Dusit Thani College's Fast-Track Talent Development Program (TOP), which prepares participants for entry-level positions in just six months, and offers aspiring professionals a unique opportunity to further their education, acquire certifications and gain access to employment in Japan.

The Japanese Ryokan Hotel Association, representing over 15,000 traditional inns and hotels across Japan, will connect certified candidates with member companies through special job fairs in Bangkok. Dusit Hotels and Resorts will also welcome graduates to its Japanese properties, including the Dusit Thani Kyoto and the ASAI Kyoto Shijo, further enhancing opportunities for international internships.

Jeducation, a leading Japanese language school in Bangkok, will offer essential language training to ensure that participants meet the SSW visa requirements and are thus well prepared for living and working in Japan.

“This cooperation addresses the skills shortage in the Japanese hospitality industry and simultaneously opens up attractive career opportunities for our students,” said John Lohr, Head of the Department of External Relations at Dusit Thani College. “By combining first-class education at Dusit Thani College with official certification and clear career prospects, we are building a strong talent pool that will benefit both Thailand and Japan.”

Makoto Yamashita, Area General Manager – Kyoto, Dusit Hotels and Resorts, added: “This partnership underscores our commitment to developing future hospitality leaders and providing life-changing opportunities abroad. It is a win-win situation for our students, our partners, and the entire industry.”

Dusit Thani College will begin recruiting candidates for its TOP Japan Pathway program in October 2025. The first exams and employer recruitment fairs are scheduled for February 2026.