Peernovo
Other product manufacturing and processing workers (metal products)

How to become a Die and Mould Maker

Also called: Die repairer, Die manufacturing worker

Operates machine tools to make the metal dies and moulds used to mass-produce parts.

Main tasks

Workers in this job say high school is common. From job tag's survey of people in each job, who could give several answers. It shows what workers see as common, not how many workers hold each level.

How to become one

No particular education or qualification is required to start. People usually go into this job straight after finishing high school or similar. There is also mid-career recruitment from other jobs. Most new school leavers find jobs through their school or Hello Work (public employment service). Mid-career hiring is done through Hello Work, newspapers and job advertisements. A high level of skill is needed, and knowledge of mechanical engineering is an advantage, but building experience on the job is what matters most. There are many machines and tools to learn to use. Training usually starts on general-purpose machine tools with material and part machining to learn basic cutting skills, before moving on to NC (computer-controlled) machine tools such as NC milling machines and machining centres. In small factories, one person often does most of the die-making work, so you get experience of every stage. In larger workplaces the machining is divided up, and you start with basic machining tasks. A related qualification is the die-making technician grade of the ginou kentei (national trade skills test) set by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, which is valued as proof of skill. You need the patience and persistence to see a job through to the end. Each die is made to order, so the work is not about making the same thing by a set process: you need curiosity about new things and the ability to come up with ideas.

Ways in

Pay · Job openings · AI and this job

Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz

Questions people ask

How do I become a Die and Mould Maker?

No particular education or qualification is required to start. People usually go into this job straight after finishing high school or similar. There is also mid-career recruitment from other jobs. Most new school leavers find jobs through their school or Hello Work (public employment service). Mid-career hiring is done through Hello Work, newspapers and job advertisements. A high level of skill is needed, and knowledge of mechanical engineering is an advantage, but building experience on the job is what matters most. There are many machines and tools to learn to use. Training usually starts on general-purpose machine tools with material and part machining to learn basic cutting skills, before moving on to NC (computer-controlled) machine tools such as NC milling machines and machining centres. In small factories, one person often does most of the die-making work, so you get experience of every stage. In larger workplaces the machining is divided up, and you start with basic machining tasks. A related qualification is the die-making technician grade of the ginou kentei (national trade skills test) set by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, which is valued as proof of skill. You need the patience and persistence to see a job through to the end. Each die is made to order, so the work is not about making the same thing by a set process: you need curiosity about new things and the ability to come up with ideas.

How much does a Die and Mould Maker earn in Japan?

Average annual income in the private sector, bonus included, is ¥4,652,600 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare).

Do you need a degree to become a Die and Mould Maker?

Usually not. In this job's census occupation group, only 13% of workers are university graduates. Ways in include: National trade skills test (技能検定).

Will AI change the work of a Die and Mould Maker?

Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Sources

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 解説系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_description_7_01.xlsx）ver.7.01 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 簡易版数値系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_numeric_7_00.xlsx）ver.7.00 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

Sources: JILPT Occupational Information Database download data via job tag (解説系 ver.7.01 and 簡易版数値系 ver.7.00, downloaded 4 October 2026), processed by Peernovo; MHLW, Basic Survey on Wage Structure 2025; Statistics Bureau of Japan, 2020 Population Census; MEXT, School Basic Survey 2025; MHLW, Employment Referrals for General Workers (Hello Work statistics). Figures processed by Peernovo. English job names, translations and the matching of jobs to statistical groups, schools and degree fields by Peernovo.

Updated 4 October 2026