Japan accepting nurses, caregivers

CEBU, Philippines - There is good news for caregivers and nurses who would like to apply for a job in Japan.

Philippine Overseas Employment Agency-7 information officer Fenita Berdon urged all licensed Cebuano nurses and caregivers to visit their office if they are interested to work in Japan.

But Berdon said that applicants must have had three years working experience and should be college degree holders.

“Japan is strict in hiring caregivers unlike other countries where they accept Filipino caregivers as long as they have completed a caregiver training course,” Berdon said.

Berdon, however, did not specify how many nurses and caregivers Japan needed.

“This is the fifth batch that we will be sending to Japan (nurses and caregivers). And this will be a continuing program,” Berdon said.

Berdon also said that those that will be accepted will have to learn Niponggo.

The Government of Japan and the Republic of the Philippines have an agreement for the former to hire nurses and caregivers from the latter country.

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 care workers in Japan.

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