The best thing is to love automobiles. It is even better if you are interested in the structure of cars and good at tinkering with machines. You also need to be attentive to finding minor malfunctions and have the patience to work for long hours.

The job of an automobile mechanic is to inspect and maintain automobiles so that they can be driven safely. Automobile maintenance includes "periodic inspection and maintenance," which checks for deterioration in the functions of various body parts every few months; "overhaul," in which parts damaged in traffic accidents are removed from the vehicle and replaced or repaired to restore functionality; and "sheet metal and painting," in which scratches and dents in the vehicle body are repaired. Automobile maintenance also includes changing tires and engine oil and installing drive recorders. In particular, recent automobiles are equipped with electronic control devices such as cameras and sensors to activate automatic driving and braking, which are advanced safety devices. Therefore, starting in 2020, the limits of "overhaul" will be expanded to include maintenance of electronic control devices, which will be referred to as "specific maintenance. Since the structure of automobiles differs depending on the model and manufacturer, the auto mechanics in charge of inspection and maintenance must have extensive knowledge and specialized skills. Auto mechanics are specialists who support the safe operation of automobiles from a mechanical standpoint by finding defects and malfunctions in automobiles and preventing accidents through inspections and maintenance. It is an important job to protect the safety of the "automobile society" in which automobiles have become a familiar means of transportation. Incidentally, automobiles on public roads are required by law to undergo an inspection called "vehicle inspection (automobile inspection and registration system)" once every few years. The main part of a mechanic's job is such vehicle inspections and periodic inspections.

Although auto mechanics can work without certification, they must pass the "Automobile Mechanic Skills Test" administered by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in order to call themselves an auto mechanic. There are four types of qualifications: 3rd class, 2nd class, 1st class, and special. 3rd class auto mechanics can perform basic maintenance such as inspections and tire changes, 2nd class auto mechanics can perform almost all maintenance on gasoline and diesel vehicles, and 1st class auto mechanics can perform all maintenance regardless of engine type, A first-class auto mechanic is the highest level of qualification and can perform all types of maintenance, regardless of engine type. Special mechanics are experts in specific fields, such as tires, electrical systems, and vehicle bodies.
Qualifications also vary by level. Graduates of technical high schools' automotive department are qualified to take the Level 3 examination at the same time as graduation, but graduates of other schools need to have at least one year of work experience at a maintenance shop or other facility, starting from six months. Although the period of time differs depending on the school from which the student graduates, the qualification for Level 2 requires a certain period of work experience after obtaining the Level 3 qualification. Similarly, to qualify for Level 1, a certain period of work experience is required after obtaining the Level 2 certification. Qualifications to sit for the special mechanic examination also differ in terms of the period of work experience, depending on the school from which the student graduates. The most common schools for preparing for the examination are technical high schools, junior colleges, universities, and vocational schools, but there are also "Technical Training Schools of the Japan Automobile Service Promotion Association" in each prefecture where students can take courses while working at a repair shop.

The Japanese government has stated that the goal to be achieved by 2030 regarding automobiles is "to have 50-70% of all new cars sold be next-generation vehicles. Next-generation vehicles are environmentally friendly vehicles that emit little or no exhaust gas. They include "electric vehicles" that run on electricity from batteries, "hybrid vehicles" that combine a gasoline engine and an electric motor, and "hydrogen engine vehicles" that are powered by the heat from burning hydrogen. However, Class 3 and Class 2 auto mechanics can only service gasoline and diesel vehicles. The maintenance of next-generation vehicles is basically the job of first-class auto mechanics, who can service any type of vehicle. Those who wish to service a wide variety of vehicles, including next-generation vehicles, should aim to become certified as a Level 1 auto mechanic. However, you must be certified as a Level 3 or Level 2 mechanic, and the exam is difficult, so you will need to work very hard to become a Level 1 mechanic.

In the future, more next-generation vehicles such as electric vehicles will be used than the gasoline and diesel vehicles that are currently the mainstream, so special mechanics in charge of maintenance of electrical system equipment will be called upon more often. In addition, automatic driving technology is advancing, and fully automated vehicles will be put to practical use in the not-too-distant future. However, to the extent that humans do not drive, all automobile systems, including the AI that controls driving, must be kept in perfect condition at all times. As automated driving technology advances, the role of auto mechanics is expected to become even more important than it is today.

The average annual salary is 3.87-4.5 million yen. The salary is not high for the hard work, but if you can gain clients independently, you may be able to significantly increase your income.

Many establishments operate on a rotating workweek. In addition to being a community-based industry, competition for orders is intensifying, and some establishments open on Sundays and holidays or work after hours to meet the needs of users.

Maintenance departments of manufacturer-affiliated auto sales companies, and overhaul workplaces of auto maintenance companies.

It's a chart that shows at a glance the main routes to a job as an auto mechanic!