Overview
There is no single national exam for local government employees (地方公務員) in Japan. Prefectures, designated cities and municipalities each run their own recruitment, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (総務省) issues guidance to them rather than running the exam. Its pages are in Japanese.
The Ministry's notice of 24 December 2021 explains the legal basis. Under the Local Public Service Act, a local government that has a personnel commission appoints staff, as a rule, through a competitive exam. It may use a selection process instead when its personnel commission rules allow it. A local government without a personnel commission may use either. Exam dates, categories, eligibility and content are set by each local government, so this page does not state them: read the recruitment notice of the one you apply to.
Marking and results
The Ministry's survey for fiscal 2020 counted 468,530 applicants for local government competitive exams, 78,765 passers and 5.9 applicants per passer. That was the first rise in applicants in nine years, though still below fiscal 2011 (618,734 applicants and 8.8 per passer). Mid-career exams were run by 906 local governments, with 98,455 applicants, 8,331 hired and 11.8 applicants per hire.
The Ministry says local governments have been changing how they test: adding new exam categories, shifting timing and methods, favouring assessment of personality, and recruiting jointly. It also encourages mid-career recruitment, including for people born in the employment ice age generation and for experienced applicants.
How to apply
Apply to the specific prefecture or municipality that is recruiting, through its own notice. The Ministry's page also has a section with information on local government staff exams.
Preparation tips
Because content differs by local government and by job category, use the notice and past papers of the one you are applying to.
Is there one Japan-wide local government employee exam?
No. Each prefecture, designated city and municipality recruits for itself.
Are there mid-career routes?
Yes. In fiscal 2020, 906 local governments held mid-career exams, according to the Ministry.