MANILA -- Seventy-one Filipino nurses are set to depart for Japan this Sunday, comprising the third batch of candidate-nurses, the Philippine Embassy in Japan reported.
The Embassy said the candidate-nurses will depart after completing their preparatory training from March 28 to May 20 in Taguig City.
"Being fully-equipped with the Japanese language is of paramount importance for successful implementation of the Movement of Natural Persons (MNP) scheme. It is essential not only for pursuing a successful career as qualified nurses in Japan but also for leading a well-integrated life in the Japanese society," said Japanese Embassy Minister for Economic Affairs Akio Isomata.
Upon arrival in Japan, the candidate-nurses will undergo an additional six months of Japanese language training starting May 30.
Aside from the 71 new candidates, 92 nurses were also sent to Japan as part of the first batch back in 2009, while 46 nurses comprise the second batch that was flown last year.
The third batch is also the first one to undergo preparatory language training in the country, which is not part of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).
Under the JPEPA, qualified candidate nurses and caregivers need to complete a six-month Japanese language training in Japan and undertake on-the-job training at their respective hospitals.
Nurses should also be able to pass the licensure examination in Japan before they can work as registered nurses. They are given three chances to take the licensure examination.
Caregivers, on the other hand, are required to complete at least three years on-the-job training before they can take the national examination for caregivers and work in Japan for an indefinite period after passing the examination.
However, the program had seen a small number of Filipino nurses and caregivers passing mainly due to the difficulty posed by the Japanese language, thus making it necessary for a preparatory language training program. (AMN/Sunnex)