NurseReview.Org: Japan hiring more nurses, caregivers

Posted: 22 Oct 2009 05:13 PM PDT

TOKYO, Japan --The Japanese government said the arrival of the second batch of Filipino nurses and caregivers is expected by next year under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) on the Movement of Natural Persons.

In an interview following a briefing to Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) journalists here, Kazuhiko Shimizu, deputy director for Second Southeast Asia Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), disclosed that the Japanese government is currently discussing the details with the Philippine government on the dispatch of the second batch of Filipino nurses and caregivers under the JPEPA.

The Second Southeast Asia Division at the MOFA, of which Shimizu is deputy director, includes Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore. The other group consisting of five ASEAN countries is headed by the First Southeast Asia Division deputy director Takuma Sakaguchi.

"The next batch is coming next year. We're now starting the discussions with the Philippine government," Shimizu said.

Shimizu disclosed that the first batch of caregivers had already started their training in Japan. Thirty Filipino candidate caregivers were sent to Japan last Sept. 27.

"The first batch arrived just recently. They are now starting their training in Japanese hospitals," he said.

Under the agreement, Filipino nurses and caregivers have to take a two- to four-year school course in Japan. They must also pass the licensure examination to be certified careworkers in Japan.

Aside from hospital training, the Filipino health workers are required to undergo Japanese language training courses for six months.

SOURCE: MANILA BULLETIN

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