Japan to ease nursing tests for Pinoys

MANILA, Philippines - Japan will ease its nursing licensure examination procedures to allow more Filipino health workers to work in the country, Vice President Jejomar Binay said yesterday.

Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa told Binay during a recent courtesy call at the Coconut Palace about Japan’s plan to ease the process for healthcare workers to be employed in the country.

“I assure you that I will do my best so that Japan can absorb more Filipino nurses and caretakers,” Ishikawa told the Vice President.

Binay is the presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers’ concerns.

He said the envoy also promised to modify the Japanese nursing licensure examinations to raise the passing rate among Filipino candidates.

The examinations, which are conducted in the Japanese language, have been seen as one of the major barriers preventing Filipino healthcare workers from being employed in the country.

“This is an excellent opportunity for our nurses and caregivers not only to find meaningful employment abroad, but also to showcase the best of what we have to offer to the world,” Binay said.

He also emphasized the need to align the training and education of Filipinos with realities on the ground to ensure that they are able to cope with the demands of employment here and abroad.

“We need to ensure that our students are equipped with the best tools possible and remain competitive, especially in the face of the impending Association of Southeast Asian Nations integration,” the Vice President said.

Binay also thanked Ishikawa for Japan’s continued assistance to the country.