Overview
There is no single national exam for firefighters (消防士) in Japan. Local authorities and similar bodies (the Fire and Disaster Management Agency's portal calls them 自治体等) run their own applications and entrance tests for graduates of high schools, universities, graduate schools, junior colleges and specialist schools. The portal links to a search of fire departments (消防本部サーチ) for finding a particular department's recruitment information. The Agency's pages are in Japanese.
Eligibility rules, test content and dates are set by each recruiting body. The Agency's portal does not state them, so this page does not either: read the recruitment notice of the department you apply to.
How to apply
Apply to the fire department or authority that is recruiting, following its notice. The Agency's portal sends you to the department search for that information.
After the exam
Recruits who pass and are hired enter a fire academy (消防学校) for about six months of initial training, living in a dormitory, before being assigned to fire stations. The training covers:
Basic education: the role of a firefighter, how fire organisations work, laws and service rules.
Practical education: basic knowledge of work tasks, fire equipment, buildings and emergency medical care.
Hands-on drills: using hoses, ropes and rescue equipment, plus strength and fitness training.
The Agency states that recruits are paid during training, that women attend the same course for the same length of time, and that the course is the same for university graduates, high school graduates and specialist school graduates. A fire academy is not a school under the School Education Act: it is a training facility for fire personnel and volunteer firefighters under the Fire Organisation Act.
Preparation tips
Check the recruiting department's own notice for its exam content and physical requirements, and prepare to those. The fire academy includes running and strength training.
Is there one national firefighter exam in Japan?
No. Local authorities and similar bodies run their own applications and exams.
Is training at the fire academy paid?
Yes. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency says recruits receive a salary during training.