Japanese gov’t to extend stay of Pinoy nurses, caregivers

MANILA, Philippines - The Japanese government has decided to extend for one year the period of stay of the three batches of nurse and caregiver candidates who entered Japan in the last three years under the Japan-Philippines  Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).

The Japanese embassy in Manila said Japan has made a series of improvements with regard to the acceptance of nurses and caregivers under JPEPA, such as the provision of preparatory Japanese language training in the Philippines, improvements in the implementation of national licensure examination for EPA candidates, creation of a learning support program, and one year extension of the period of stay for the first batch of candidates (2009).

Meanwhile, Japan’s announcement last Feb. 26 extending the period of stay of the second, third and fourth batches of Filipino nurse and caregiver candidates who entered Japan in 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively, was beyond Japan’s legal obligation under JPEPA but was considered because of the friendly relations between the Philippines and Japan.

The measure aims to further assist Filipino candidate nurses and caregivers in passing the Japanese licensure examinations.

It was also taken into account that nurse and caregiver candidates from the second to fourth batches have not benefited from six-month preparatory language training.

The result of this year’s licensure examination will be published on March 25  for nurses and March 28 for certified careworkers, respectively.