Japanese language training for RP nurses pushed
Written by post on April 24th, 2010Source: mb.com.ph
Given the poor results of the recent Japanese National Nursing Exam, where only one Filipino and two Indonesians passed, the Philippine government is now looking at possible options on how to improve the Japanese language training of Filipino nurses and caregivers interested to work in Japan.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) pointed out that the dismal performance of Filipino nurses in the Japanese Nursing Exams could be attributed chiefly to the difficulties posed by the Japanese language, rather than to deficiencies in the professional competence and skills of the Filipino
examinees.
With this in mind the Philippine Government intends to make full use of Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement’s (JPEPA) Consultative Mechanisms to hold discussions with the Government of Japan on improvements in the Japanese language training of prospective candidates who wish to qualify under Japanese law either as nurses or caregivers, including cooperation to enhance and broaden Japanese language training conducted within the Philippines.
Japan started accepting nurses from Asia since 2008 under bilateral economic partnership agreements to ease the severe shortage of nurses as the elderly population continues to expand.
Under the agreements, foreign nurses can work in Japan for up to three years as nurse assistants to prepare for the Japanese test. They must return home if they cannot pass the test.
Since May 2009, the Philippines has dispatched a total of 93 Filipino nurses to Japan under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).
The DFA found as encouraging the statement of Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada to the media acknowledging the “hard work” of foreign nurses seeking qualification in Japan under their respective countries’ Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA). He also described the examination outcome as “not desirable” and noted that the Japanese Government “must do something”.
Under the JPEPA, candidates are given a maximum of three opportunities to take the national nursing (Kangoshi) examinations, for which purpose the Japanese Government may grant extensions of their temporary stay.
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