To all foreigners who would like to work in Japan, working in the nursing care field offers many advantages. You can make use of a vareity of residence programs to build a career that suits you. This article will explain in detail the features of each program: EPA, the “Nursing
Care” status of residence, the Technical Intern Training Program, and the Specified Skilled Worker System. Please use this as a reference to take your first steps toward a new career in Japan. We will do our best to support your success.
Contents:
1. EPA
<Overview>
Nursing care worker candidates from certain countries (Indonesia, the Phillippines, and Vietnam) are eligible to apply for this program under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). They will engage in training and work at receiving facilities with the aim of acquiring the national qualification of nursing care worker.
<Characteristics>
Upon passing the national examination, you will be able to work in Japan as a certified nursing care worker.
2. ”Nursing Care” Status of Residence
<Overview>
This status of residence is granted to foreign nationals who have been certified as a nursing care worker. By obtaining the “nursing care” status of residence, it is possible to bring your family members to Japan with you, and there is no limit on the number of times your status of residence can be renewed.
<Characteristics>
You will be required to pass a national examination for certified nursing care workers, and are also required to have Japanese language skills. Many people aim for a long-term career in the nursing care field.
3. Technical Intern Training Program
<Overview>
The purpose of this program is to allow trainees to acquire skills in the nursing care field through the technical internship program. Trainees will be required to return to their home country after a specified training period.
<Characteristics>
Trainees work under the supervision of an instructor during their training periods, allowing them to gain experience. If they fulfill certain conditions, they are permitted to move to the specified skilled worker system and engage in long-term work.
4. Specified Skilled Worker
<Overview>
This is a status of residence granted to foreign nations with specific skills. Holders of the Specified Skilled Worker (i) status of residence are permitted to reside in Japan for up to five years.
<Characteristics>
Those who have passed the Specified Skills examination and those who havbe completed the Technical Intern Training are eligible for the Specified Skilled Worker system.
Aim to acquire a national qualification as a nursing care worker while you are employed under the 3. Technical Intern Training Program or as a 4. Specified Skilled Worker. Once you become a certified nursing care worker with the “Nursing Care” status of residence, you will be able to bring your family members to Japan with you, and you can expect to be able to work long-term.
Current Status and Trends
As of the end of December 2022, approximately 40,000 foreign nursing care workers were working in Japan, and according to data published by the Immigration Services Agency, the number of “Specified Skilled Workers” had reached 39,011 people as of the end of August 2024. These figures do not include foreign nationals with other statuses of residence (permanent resident, spouse of Japanese national, etc.) If these are included, there are even more foreign nursing care workers currently working in Japan.
Japan is one of the world’s most aged societies, and demand for nursing care services is increasing every year. As the population ages, approximately 2.45 million nursing care workers will be needed by the end of 2025, according to a survey by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. As the demand for bursing care workers will continue to increase in the future, there is expected to be little shortage of employment opportunities.
