The Japan Foundation provides Japanese-Language Pre-training Program for Indonesian and Filipino Candidates for Nurses and Certified Care workers under Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA).

Background of the Pre-Arrival Japanese-Language Training

Under the EPAs with Indonesia and the Philippines, Japan started to accept Indonesian candidates in the field of nursing and nursing care on an annual basis in fiscal 2008 and Filipino counterparts in fiscal 2009.
The agreements required such overseas candidates to undergo six-month Japanese-language training in Japan(※1), except for those candidates already possessing a certain level of proficiency in the language (※2).
Some hospitals and caregiving facilities, however, claimed that this training alone did not help the candidates acquire sufficient Japanese-language skills before starting their jobs or job training. The Japanese government then took additional budget measures to provide preparatory Japanese-language education in the two countries in fiscal 2010 for the purpose of enabling the candidates’ acquisition of basic Japanese prior to their further language training in Japan. The Japan Foundation has provided this preparatory training since the fourth year of the Indonesian program and the third year of the Filipino one.
Pre-arrival training when first launched was only a few months in lengths. But the programs have been enriched and improved every year, and in fiscal 2012 the program length was extended to six months. Currently, overseas candidates receive a total of one year of Japanese-language training – six months in their home countries and six months in Japan.

※1:

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare website: Accepting Nurse and Certified Care worker Candidates from Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam

※2:

Proficiency equivalent to Level N2 or previously Level 2 of the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test

Objectives of the Pre-Arrival Training Programs

The pre-arrival Japanese-language education programs provided by the Japan Foundation are positioned as preparatory training to maximize the efficiency of language training in Japan and designed to support overseas candidates to learn the language and social skills required for daily life and job training in Japan. Opinions and suggestions of the candidates, receiving hospitals and caregiving facilities, learning support organizations, and relevant government ministries and agencies were taken into account in developing the training curriculum.
Overseas candidates are required to master the Japanese-language to live and work in the country and pass the Japanese national licensing examination. In consideration of the opinions of people involved in the programs and the flow and continuity of the overall Japanese-language education for overseas candidates, the pre-arrival training aims at enabling the candidates to acquire basic, pre-intermediate level knowledge and proficiency in Japanese, and equally strong language skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing. Since the learning environment and support for such candidates vary depending on the receiving hospitals and caregiving facilities, they need to be aware of the skills they may lack and make a habit of self-study to achieve their goals.

Outline of the Japanese-Language Pre-training Program for FY 2018

1. Objectives

1-1 Japanese-Language

• Acquire knowledge and proficiency in Japanese required for daily life and job training in Japan. Namely, master pre-intermediate level of Japanese communicative skills needed for daily life and job training in Japan. Aim at balanced development of all four language skills.
• Learn basic words and expressions used in nursing and nursing care.

1-2 Self-study

• Develop basic methods to preview and review learning materials and establish the habit of self-study.
• Learn to plan and review one’s self-study.

1-3 Social and Cultural Understanding

• Gain basic knowledge about Japan, including its people, geography and transportation.
• Learn lifestyles and manners in Japan.
• Understand differences in general workplace practices and culture and customs specific to the field of nursing and nursing care between Japan and one’s home country.

2. Period of Implementation

2-1 Indonesia (as the 12th year)

November 21, 2018 – May 23, 2019 (6 months)

2-2 Philippines (as the 11th year)

November 8, 2018 – May 21, 2019 (6 months)

3. Venue

3-1 Jakarta

The Ministry of National Education,
The Centre for Development and Empowerment Teachers and Education Personnel
(P4TK Bahasa Pusat Pengembangan dan Pemberdayaan Pendidik dan Tenaga Kependidikan)

3-2 Manila

1. （1）Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Language Skills Institute (TESDA LSI)
2. （2）Nihongo Center Foundation, Inc. (NCF)
3. （3）Personal Ability Development Foundation, Inc. (PAD)