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Mazda & Subaru Recruitment 2026 covers two carmakers that are each deeply rooted in one home region. Mazda Motor Corporation builds cars in Hiroshima and Yamaguchi in western Japan, while SUBARU Corporation builds its vehicles in Gunma, north of Tokyo. Both rely on production workers for car assembly, and both have recruited fixed-term contract staff alongside regular employees – Mazda calls them 期間社員, while Subaru’s listings use 期間工 and contract staff. For freshers and practical workers who want to learn how a complete car is put together, these two companies offer a useful contrast between a western Japan manufacturer and a Kanto-area one.
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Mazda’s headquarters and main plant are in Fuchu-cho, Hiroshima, and its second vehicle plant is in Hofu, Yamaguchi. In April 2026 Mazda took on 454 new graduates, down from 508 a year earlier, including 261 on its skilled and production track – a reminder that the company keeps building its factory workforce. Subaru’s plants are clustered in Gunma: the Main Plant in Subaru-cho, Ota, plus the Yajima and Oizumi plants. Around Ota, a dense network of parts suppliers and staffing agencies also recruits for EV parts, airbags, painting and moulding, so Gunma has more factory listings than its size might suggest. Gunma’s FY2025 minimum wage is ¥1,063 per hour and Hiroshima’s is ¥1,085.
On the visa side, car assembly and auto parts production are covered by Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker field for Industrial Products Manufacturing (工業製品製造業分野). A role at an eligible manufacturer may potentially fit this field, depending on exact duties and occupational classification. One important point for the Gunma market: SSW manufacturing workers must be hired directly by the manufacturer, so the many dispatch (派遣) listings around Ota are not an SSW route.
Mazda & Subaru Jobs 2026 – Quick Overview
| Job Title | Car Assembly Worker, Auto Parts Assembler, Painting and Moulding Worker |
| Country | Japan |
| Location | Hiroshima (Fuchu-cho), Yamaguchi (Hofu), Gunma (Ota, Yajima, Oizumi) |
| Employers | Mazda Motor Corporation, SUBARU Corporation |
| Industry | Automobile Manufacturing and Parts Supply |
| Indicative Salary | Around ¥307,000 per month for Subaru contract assembly (listing, incl. allowances) |
| Experienced Salary | Up to about ¥425,000 per month in some Gunma EV parts agency listings with long hours |
| Education | 10th or 12th pass generally accepted |
| Experience | Not essential for many entry roles |
| Japanese | Basic Japanese; N4 / JFT-Basic for SSW |
| Work Type | Fixed-term contract, direct or via staffing agency |
| Work Schedule | Shift work common at vehicle plants; day-shift options at some suppliers |
| Accommodation | Dorms or company housing often offered to relocating staff |
| Overtime | Varies with production plans |
What Does a Car Assembly Worker Do?
A car assembly worker turns a painted body and thousands of parts into a finished vehicle, completing one section of that job at a station on a moving line.
- Installs dashboards, seats, doors, glass and trim
- Connects wiring harnesses and electrical connectors
- Mounts the engine and drivetrain together with the body (the “marriage” process)
- Fits wheels, tyres and underbody parts
- Uses nutrunners and torque tools to set fastener tension
- Fills brake fluid, coolant and other fluids
- Applies sealer and checks it for gaps
- Checks paint, panel gaps and fit-and-finish under inspection lights
- Runs simple function tests on lights, wipers and doors
- Feeds parts to the line in the correct sequence for each model
- Reports any abnormality and helps solve it with the team leader
- Keeps tools and the work area clean and organised
Types of Mazda & Subaru Jobs
Mazda Contract Assembly Worker (期間社員)
Mazda has recruited 期間社員 for vehicle assembly at its Hiroshima and Hofu plants. Current pay and allowances should be checked on Mazda’s official recruitment page.
Mazda Skilled-Track Production Staff
Mazda’s April 2026 intake of 454 new graduates included 261 people on the skilled and production track, showing how the company builds its permanent factory workforce through new-graduate hiring in Japan.
Subaru Vehicle Assembly Worker
Subaru recruits contract staff for vehicle assembly, engine and body work in Gunma; an official contract listing at the Main Plant showed daily pay of ¥11,000 to ¥12,000.
Subaru Plant Worker via Agency
Staffing companies such as Nisso and Mina Colleague place workers at Subaru. Nisso has advertised full-time pay of ¥278,000 or more per month, or dispatch pay of ¥1,800 or more per hour.
EV Parts Assembler (Ota)
Agency listings in Ota have offered ¥2,000 to ¥2,500 per hour for EV parts assembly, among the highest hourly rates in the local market.
Airbag Manufacturing Worker
Airbag production roles in Ota have been listed at ¥1,400 to ¥1,750 per hour on dispatch terms.
Auto Parts Painting and Moulding Worker
Local suppliers such as しげる工業 in Ota recruit full-time staff for parts assembly, painting and moulding at ¥199,000 to ¥257,000 per month.
Mazda & Subaru Salary 2026
| Position | Indicative Monthly Salary |
| Subaru Assembly Worker | ¥307,000 |
| Subaru Agency Plant Worker (Nisso) | ¥278,000 (hourly ¥1,800 for dispatch) |
| EV Parts Assembler (Ota) | ¥340,000 – ¥425,000 (hourly ¥2,000 – ¥2,500) |
| Airbag Manufacturing Worker (Ota) | ¥238,000 – ¥298,000 (hourly ¥1,400 – ¥1,750) |
| Auto Parts Painting and Moulding Worker | ¥199,000 – ¥257,000 |
The Subaru assembly figure comes from a recent listing that includes allowances, the hourly roles are calculated on about 160–170 hours a month, and the painting and moulding figure is base pay, so real income varies with shifts and overtime. Mazda is not included because the only pay data found was from 2022; check Mazda’s official recruitment page for current 期間社員 pay.
Mazda & Subaru Jobs for Foreign Workers
Car and parts manufacturing belongs to the SSW field for Industrial Products Manufacturing, which grew to 17 business categories in June 2026 and has an SSW (i) cap of 199,500 workers through March 2029. A foreign worker who passes the manufacturing skills test and a Japanese test may potentially be employed under this field by an eligible manufacturer that hires directly and belongs to JAIM. Dispatch work through staffing agencies – common around Subaru’s plants – cannot be used for SSW.
Direct contract roles at Mazda and Subaru are generally aimed at people who already have a residence status allowing such work, such as permanent residents, spouses or long-term residents. No verified public statement shows either company recruiting contract staff from overseas or sponsoring visas for these roles, so applicants should not assume every vacancy qualifies for them.
Watch out for agents who promise a Subaru or Mazda job abroad for a fee. Do not pay unlicensed agents, and remember that a job advertisement does not guarantee a visa. Also note that big joining bonuses in agency ads, such as Nisso’s ¥1,000,000 入社特典, are paid by the agency, not by Subaru.
Japanese Language Requirement
Final assembly lines move constantly, so workers must understand instructions quickly and respond to warnings without delay.
- Recognising safety words and line stop signals
- Understanding model and trim codes used on build sheets
- Following one-to-one training from a senior worker
- Reporting problems with short, clear phrases
- Understanding dormitory and company rules
Those applying through SSW (i) generally need JFT-Basic A2.2 or above or JLPT N4 or above, together with the Manufacturing Field SSW (i) Skills Evaluation Test run by JAIM via Prometric; 技能検定 Grade 3 is an accepted alternative to the skills test.
Eligibility
- A residence status allowing factory work, or eligibility for SSW manufacturing
- Good physical condition for standing and repetitive movements
- Ability to work shifts, including nights where required
- Willingness to relocate to Gunma, Hiroshima or Yamaguchi
- Basic Japanese communication
- Pass the employer’s or agency’s interview and health check
- For SSW: a direct employment offer from an eligible manufacturer
Education Qualification
Car assembly is one of the most accessible factory jobs in terms of education. Employers mainly look for good health, reliability and a careful attitude. Mazda’s skilled-track figure refers to its new-graduate intake, so most applicants reading this will look at contract or SSW roles instead.
- 10th pass or 12th pass is generally sufficient
- ITI in motor vehicle mechanic or fitter trades is helpful
- Diploma in automobile engineering may help for inspection roles
- Skills test certificates support SSW applications
Daily Work of a Car Assembly Worker
- Take the shuttle from the dormitory to the plant in Ota and change into work clothes and safety shoes.
- Gather with the team for the start-of-shift talk on safety, quality notes and the model mix.
- Check your build sheet, which tells you which trim and options each car on the line needs.
- Pick the correct parts from sequenced racks as each body arrives at your station.
- Fit and fasten parts within the cycle time, confirming torque on each critical bolt.
- Connect electrical couplers and listen for the click that shows they are locked.
- Pull the call cord if a part will not fit; the leader comes over to help or stops the line.
- Rotate to a different station after a break, if the team uses job rotation.
- Eat lunch in the canteen and rest before the second half of the shift.
- Support end-of-line checks such as door closing, lights and visual inspection when assigned.
- Clean the station, refill consumables and hand over to the next shift.
Moving bodies, lifting devices and power tools make safety training compulsory, and workers must follow every rule and wear protective gear at all times.
Working Hours
- Eight-hour shifts plus breaks are standard
- Vehicle plants usually run day and night shifts in rotation
- Some Ota parts suppliers advertise day-shift-only roles
- Agency hourly roles are commonly calculated on 160–170 hours a month
- Overtime and weekend work depend on production plans
Hourly agency jobs pay only for hours worked, so income can fall during production cuts or long holidays.
Accommodation
- Dormitories or company-arranged apartments are common for relocating staff
- Agency roles may include furnished apartments near Ota
- Shuttle buses often link housing to Subaru’s plants
- A car or scooter is helpful in Gunma, where public transport is limited
- Hiroshima and Hofu housing terms should be confirmed with Mazda directly
Agency housing in particular may carry rent and utility deductions, so check the exact amounts before signing.
Benefits
- Shift and overtime allowances on top of base pay
- Agency joining incentives, such as Nisso’s ¥1,000,000 入社特典 (paid by the agency)
- Social insurance and paid leave under Japanese law
- Dormitory or housing support
- Staff canteens at the main plants
- Mazda has historically offered preparation and completion payments for 期間社員 – confirm current amounts officially
Benefits depend on whether you are hired directly or through an agency, and on the terms of your contract.
Career Growth
Contract Assembly Worker → Experienced Line Operator → Team Leader → Supervisor
- Strong performance on contract can lead to regular employment opportunities at some manufacturers
- Agency workers can move into direct contracts after gaining experience
- Inspection and quality roles open up after learning several processes
- Experience at a carmaker is valued by Gunma’s many parts suppliers
- SSW (ii) is possible in some categories after further tests and experience
Skills That Can Improve Your Chances
- Experience in any assembly line, including electronics or appliances
- Ability to read simple build sheets and part codes
- Careful handling of painted surfaces
- Painting, spraying or moulding experience for supplier roles
- Japanese driving licence, useful in Gunma
- Good attendance and punctuality
- Willingness to work nights
- Basic Japanese for safety communication
- Calm attitude under time pressure
Documents Required
- Passport and residence card
- Rirekisho or CV
- Education certificates
- Employment history letters
- SSW test certificates and JLPT or JFT-Basic results, if applicable
- Health check report
- Driving licence, if you have one
Agencies and direct employers may ask for different documents, so follow the exact list in the job notice.
How to Apply Online
Step 1: Prepare Your CV
Write a clear CV that highlights any assembly, painting or vehicle work you have done.
Step 2: Describe Your Skills
Explain which tools you can use and how many hours a day you are used to standing and working.
Step 3: Gather Certificates
Prepare scanned copies of education, skills and Japanese test certificates.
Step 4: Check the Job Category
Check whether the job is a direct Mazda or Subaru contract, a direct supplier job, or a dispatch role, because only direct employment fits SSW.
Step 5: Complete Required Tests
SSW candidates should finish the manufacturing skills test and the Japanese test before applying.
Step 6: Attend the Interview
Expect questions about your health, shift preferences and willingness to move to the plant area.
Step 7: Review the Contract
Confirm who your employer is, the contract period, pay basis, housing costs and who pays any bonus.
Step 8: Complete Immigration Procedures
Check current openings on Mazda’s and Subaru’s official recruitment pages, and complete residence status procedures with the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.
Mazda & Subaru Jobs 2026 – FAQs
Is this a guaranteed job offer?
No. This is general information; each employer decides after its own selection process.
Where are Subaru’s car plants?
Subaru’s plants are in Gunma – the Main Plant in Subaru-cho, Ota, and the Yajima and Oizumi plants.
Where does Mazda build cars?
Mazda’s main plant is at its Fuchu-cho, Hiroshima headquarters, and it has another plant in Hofu, Yamaguchi.
Why is Mazda’s contract pay not shown?
Only 2022 data was found, so check Mazda’s official recruitment page for the latest 期間社員 pay.
Who pays the ¥1,000,000 bonus in some Subaru ads?
That incentive is offered by the staffing agency Nisso, not by Subaru itself.
Can dispatch jobs in Ota lead to an SSW visa?
No. SSW manufacturing requires direct employment by an eligible manufacturer; dispatch work does not qualify.
Which Gunma factory jobs pay the most per hour?
Recent EV parts assembly listings in Ota offered ¥2,000 to ¥2,500 per hour, higher than airbag or general parts roles.
Do I need a driving licence in Gunma?
It is not always required, but public transport is limited, so a licence can make commuting and daily life easier.
Final Words
Mazda and Subaru offer car assembly work in two very different parts of Japan. Subaru’s Gunma base comes with a busy local job market of agencies and parts suppliers, while Mazda’s Hiroshima and Hofu plants are best approached through the company’s own recruitment page for current terms. Know whether a job is direct or dispatch, never pay unlicensed agents, and remember that a job ad is not a visa.
Disclaimer: All salary figures mentioned in this article are indicative estimates based on published job listings and industry data and may vary by employer, location, experience, and contract terms. They do not represent a guaranteed salary, job offer, or visa approval. This website is not affiliated with Mazda Motor Corporation or SUBARU Corporation.