Guidebook for Care Service Providers on
Employment of Foreign Care Workers

Would you like to hire
and work with foreign
care workers?
Some care service providers are now
employing foreigners as care workers.
Those providers have commented that theworkplace has become cheerful, that it
created a sense of unity among staff, andthat the education of foreigners led toreview of the quality of long-term care.

Learn about basic Methods
for hiring foreign care workers➡ go to page２
Learn about the Current
Situations of hiring foreign
care workers➡ go to page 4
Learn about the specific Detailsof Various Systems in placefor employing foreign care workers➡ go to page 6

In addition, communicating the knowhow and skills of Japanese long-term care
to foreign care workers can lead tointernational contribution.

Case study and Comments

Would you like to hire and work withforeign care workers?

➡ go to page12

by care service providers that
hired foreign care workers

Summary of Four Systems for Employing Foreign Care Workers
Does the foreign care
worker available for
employment havecertified care
workerqualification?

EPA

Employment of Certified
Care Worker Candidates
under Economic Partnership
Agreement (EPA)

N/A
However,
the aim is to obtain
qualification➡ go to page 6

Nursing
Care

Employment of foreigners who
graduated a certified care
worker training school in Japanand have “Nursing Care”
status of residence

Certified
Care
WorkerCan the foreign
care worker

workpermanently?

After obtaining
qualification,

Permanent
employment
is possible
if qualification is not obtained
within certain period,
return to home country

Permanent
employment
is possible➡ go to page 7

N/A

Employment of foreigners
Technical using the Technical Intern
Training Program
Intern(technical intern trainee)
Training

Eligible to takeexamination ifpractical
requirements,
etc. are met➡ go to page 8

N/A

Employment ofSpecifiedforeigners with
Skilled “Specified Skilled Worker (i)”status of residence
WorkerEligible to takeexamination ifpractical
requirements,
etc. are met➡ go to page 9

5 years
maximum*1*2

5 years
maximum*1*2*1. Provided, however, status of residence “Nursing Care” can be selected whencertification is obtained, enabling permanent employment*2. Technical intern trainee who completed the third year is exempted fromexamination for obtaining “Specified Skilled Worker (i )” visa (if the statusof residence is changed to “Specified Skilled Worker (i ),” maximum periodof residence becomes ten years, with technical intern and specified skills visas)•In this Guidebook, Foreign Care Worker refers to care workers who are foreign nationals whose native language is not
Japanese, such as foreign care worker employed as certified care worker or certified care worker candidate under EPA;
foreign national with “Nursing Care” status of residence; student under casual employment; and technical intern trainee.
•This chart is a simple diagram of features of each system. Refer to pages 10 and 11 for details of each system.

2

Does the foreign care
worker havequalification andstudy experiencein their homecountry?
Graduate ofnursing related
school or has
government
certification ascare worker inhome country

Dependingon thepersonBased on theselection criteriaof supervisingorganization

Dependingon thepersonIs there
What are the criteria forforeign care workers’

support such as
acceptance
supportorganization?

Japaneselanguage skills?

Vast majority has
about N3 levelYes

at time of start of
employment *3
Requirements at time ofentry forIndonesia/Philippines:
about N5, Vietnam: N3

Some schools *4
requireabout

types ofservicesfor employment offoreign care workers?

Yes

Acceptance
support by
JICWELS

After obtaining certifiedcare worker qualification,
can engage in home-visit
services by providers
satisfying certain
conditions

N/A

N/A

N2 level

Yes

Requirements attime of entry is
about

Is there limitation to

Acceptance
support bysupervisingorganization

N4 level

Requirements at time ofentry :Yes

• Certain level of
everyday conversation
skills for living• Japanese language skills
necessary for working in
long-term care

Support byregisteredsupportingorganization

Yes
No home-visit services

Yes
No home-visit services*3. Requirement at time of entry is about N5 for Indonesian and Filipino nationals, but about 90% of Indonesian and Filipino candidates acquire
Japanese language skills of about N3 by the time six month Japanese language training is completed after entry (based on FY2018 data).
*4. “Some schools” refer to certified care worker training schools that require minimum Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) of N2 or
confirmation of equivalent of N2 or higher level in Japanese language tests.
■ Criteria for N1 to N5 in Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT )Japanese Language Proficiency Test
Criteria
Ability to understand Japanese used in a variety of circumstances
N1
Ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations, and in a variety of circumstances to a certain degree
N2
Ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations to a certain degree
N3
Ability to understand basic Japanese
N4
Ability to understand some basic Japanese
N5
Qualification such as “about N4” refers to cases where the individual has passed JLPT N4 or is deemed to have equivalent skills.

3Current Situations of Foreign Care Workers and Employment
How is the progress in employment of foreign care workers?
Acceptance of Certified Care Worker Candidates under EPA[persons]
1,000
Actual number of
persons acceptedin FY2018 : 773

800

As of January 1, 2019, 3,165 EPA Care Workers are
employed in 677 facilities, etc. Main accepting facilities
include TOKUYO*2 and ROKEN*3 .

600

400

Some foreign nationals are studying at Japanesecertified care worker training schools to obtain
Certified Care Worker qualification and work forJapanese care service provider, resulting in increase offoreign students from 257 in FY2016 to 591 and 1,142
in FY2017 and FY2018, respectively.

200

0

Acceptance of Certified Care Worker Candidates under
EPA which is one method of employment of foreign care
workers by care service providers started in FY2008,
and the number of acceptances has increased each year,
reaching a total of 4,302 individual in FY2018. EPA Care
Workers*1 have been employed in 808 facilities, etc.

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
[FY ]In addition, the number of applications for technicalintern training plan for care worker jobs was 1,516
trainees as of end of December 2018, of which 946 haveeventually accredited and sequentially entered Japanas technical intern trainees.

Aggregated total : 4,302
Employment record at 808 facilities,etc

Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) (as of January 2019)*1 EPA Care Worker refers to foreign care workers employed as Certified Care Worker Candidate or Certified Care Worker under Japan-Indonesia EPA,
Japan-Philippines EPA, or Japan-Vietnam EPA (same applies below)*2 TOKUYO refers to intensive care home for the elderly (long-term care welfare institution for the elderly) (same applies below)*3 ROKEN refers to long-term care health facilities (same applies below)

How many care service providers are interested in employment of foreign care workers?
Planning to accept foreign care workers
Long-term care facilities employing EPA Care Workers

Long-term care facilities with no foreign care worker employment

Don’t know/undecided 17.0 %No answer 0.9 %No plan to accept

Planning to accept
Don’t know/undecided

3.2 %20.2 %

47.5 %

considered, but
14.6 % Have
have no plan to accept

No answer
1.5 %Continue to accept

78.9 %

16.2 %
Not considering,
have no plan to accept

n =218n =1,355

With respect to plans for accepting foreign care workers, long-term care facilities already accepting EPA Care Workers are
positive towards future acceptance, with 78.9% responding “continue to accept.”
Of the long-term care facilities who have not employed foreign care workers, 20.2% responded they are “planning toaccept,” indicating about one-fifth of facilities are considering employment.
Source: FY2018 MHLW subsidy for research study “Survey on Foreign Care Worker Acceptance” (as of October 1, 2018)

4

What are supports being provided by care service providers who employ foreign care workers?
Living support provided to foreign care workers by long-term care facility employing EPA Care Workers (top 7 item)
n =218

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Housing support

96.8%

Support for administrative procedures and housing rent contracts, etc.

93.6%

Support for enhancing communication such as Japanese language school

83.9%

Mental health care

81.7%

Consideration for culture/customs
Consideration for religion

74.8%
65.6%

(Approval of leaves for religious holidays, exemption from tasks that are religious taboos)

Support for environmental adjustment such as climate

62.8%

These are living supports provided by many long-term care facilities employing EPA Care Workers.
Supports for housing, administrative procedures and housing rent contracts, etc. are being provided by majority offacilities, and can be deemed as basic support for organizing basic living requirements. About 80% of facilities are also
providing support to enhance communication and support for mental health. These types of supports are necessary forworking in a foreign country with some difficulty in language, etc. Consideration to culture/customs and religion, andsupport for adjusting to environment such as climate can be important depending on the home country of the care worker.
For stable employment and development of foreign care workers, broad range of support including the living aspect isnecessary, in addition to instruction and education at workplace.
Source: FY2018 MHLW subsidy for research study “Survey on Foreign Care Worker Acceptance” (as of October 1, 2018)
Note: Of the ten items concerning support for living aspects, top seven items with higher ratio of “Strong support provided” and “support provided.”Remaining three items were “support concerning food,” “support for interaction with community/people,” and “private issues (relationship advice,lending and borrowing money, side job, etc.).”How do users and family members assess foreign care workers?
Assessment of foreign care workers by users and family members
Quality of long-term care services provided byforeign care workers
Not satisfied 2.1%
No answer
7.9 %Positive points of long-term care services received
Responds immediately to nurse calls.
I was grateful to be asked “are you all right? Tell me whatever
you need.” Always smiling, and always talk to me.

Average24.8 %

Receiving a monthly letter in Japanese about my mother who
is staying at the facility. Very dedicated to everyday tasks, awonderful person.

Satisfied

65.1%

Always smiling and happily engaged. Pays attention to smallchanges, such as commenting “how nice” when I have newshoes or changed bath towels.
n = 886

How do users and family members assess foreign care workers? Many users and family members highly value the quality ofservices provided by foreign care workers, with 65.1% responding “satisfied.” Examples of positive service experience
include frequent conversation and response.
Source: FY2018 MHLW subsidy for research study “Survey on Foreign Care Worker Acceptance” (as of October 1, 2018)
Note: Quality of long-term care services provided by foreign care workers indicates assessment of EPA Care Workers and other foreign care workers (casual
work by students, foreign nationals with “Nursing Care” status of residence, etc.) working at long-term care facilities by users and family members.
Multiple users/family members are providing assessment for single staff. “Satisfied” includes “higher level than Japanese nationals, or fully satisfactory
level” and “mostly satisfactory level”; “Average” includes “average”; and “Not satisfied” includes “not very satisfactory level” and “not satisfactory.”5Four Systems for Employing Foreign Care Workers
EPA

Employment of Certified Care Worker Candidates under Economic Partnership
Agreement (EPA)

Requirements“Graduated/completed nursing school/nursing
course”, or “graduated university/tertiary education
organization and government certified care worker
at home country”*differ by country
Japanese language training (6-12 months)
by Japanese language training
organization prior to entry and JLPT*Matching around this time

Entry

Training on Japanese language, etc. byJapanese language training organization(2.5-6 months) after entry

Employment/training by Care Service Provider
4th year from entry

Obtain Certified Care Worker qualification
by taking national examination

Continue employment as Certified Care Worker*No limit to period of residence

EPA aims to enhance economic cooperation between
Japan and the partner country, accepting foreign
nationals from Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam.
■ Can hire individuals with study experience and/or
qualification in home country
Foreign nationals satisfying certain criteria regarding knowledge
and experience on long-term care and nursing enter Japan after
receiving Japanese language training. Matching with care service
providers is made around the time of the Japanese language
training.
■Entry requirement is about JLPT N5, or N3 and above
With respect to Japanese language proficiency, about JLPT N5 orabove is required for Indonesia/Philippines, and N3 or above isrequired for Vietnam. Further training on Japanese language andlong-term care basics is provided after entry prior to employment
by care service providers. About 90% of Indonesian and Filipino
candidates already have Japanese language skills of about N3 by
the time they commence employment (based on FY2018 data).
■ Cer tified Care Worker qualification enables
permanent employment
National examination for Certified Care Worker qualification will
be taken on the fourth year after entry. Candidates who pass theexamination will have access to permanent employment withrenewal of residency. Failed candidates must return to the homecountry.
■Matching support by JICWELSJapan International Corporation of Welfare Services (JICWELS)
is the sole provider of support for matching foreign candidates
and care service providers, coordinating employment that
respects the intention of both parties. There is a limit to thenumber of candidates to be accepted, and service providers
must note that not all service providers will be matched withcandidates.

Participate in “Seminar on Acceptance ofCertified Care Worker Candidates based on EPA”
held by JICWELS

Confirm whether the business meetsrequirements for acceptance ofcare workers/candidates

As the EPA acceptance support organization, JICWELS
holds annual seminar on the system, procedures andacceptance case study, etc. Application for acceptingorganizations is held annually.

The system has requirements for careservice providers to become acceptingorganizations. Confirm whether therequirements are met with the “Pamphlet
on Acceptance of Foreign Nurse andCertified Care Worker Candidates under
EPA (Japanese only)” on the JICWELS
website.

6

Nursing
Care

Employment of foreigners who graduated a certified care worker training
school in Japan and have “Nursing Care” status of residence

Requirements(Requirement for entering training school) PassJLPT N2 or above, or study at Japanese language
education organization for six months or longer andcan be confirmed to have JLPT N2 equivalent or higher
in Japanese language tests, etc.
*differs by the school
Entry

Studying at certified care worker training
schools (some involve prior Japanese
Language School attendance)

Obtain Certified Care Worker qualification

Employment by Care Service Provider(certified care worker training school
students may be employed on casual basis)*No limit to period of residence

Foreign students studying at Japanese certified care
worker training schools can obtain “Nursing Care”
resident status after graduating and obtaining
Certified Care Worker qualification.
■ Can hire Certified Care Worker and permanent
employment is possible
Certified Care Worker can be expected to be a specialist
professional and can be included in placement quota uponhiring. Resident period for “Nursing Care” can be renewed
repeatedly so long as the individual desires, enablingpermanent employment.
Depending on the rules of the certified care worker training
school, students may be employed on casual basis.
■Criteria for training school entry is about N2 or above
The Guideline sets forth that foreign students enteringcertified care worker training schools must pass JLPT N2 orabove, or study at Japanese language education organization
for six months or longer and can be confirmed to have JLPT
N2 equivalent or higher in Japanese language tests, etc. (seepage 10 for details). Specific requirements and acceptancestatus differ by school.
■ Acceptance support organization does not exist;
voluntary hiring activity is necessary
There is no support organization for employment of foreign
nationals under this system, so voluntary hiring activity bycare service providers such as collaboration with certifiedcare worker training school will be necessary.

Inquire with nearby certified care worker training
school/Japanese language school

Place a job advertisement/utilize Hello Work

Confirm if nearby certified care worker training schools
accept foreign students and confirm entry requirements.
If there are foreign students, start by cooperating as
internship or casual employment provider.
Certified care worker training schools with foreign
students are gathering information on prospective
employers for graduates. Communicate that you areactively hiring foreign nationals.

Some foreign students may directly apply to care service
providers, so placing job advertisements clearly stating
active hiring of foreign nationals can be effective forrecruitment.
In addition, job advertisement can be placed with HelloWork. Employment Service Centers for Foreigners arelocated in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka.

*Some of the prefectural branch offices of Japan Association of Geriatric Health Services Facilities provide services related to acceptance of foreign
students studying at certified care worker training schools. ROKEN considering employment of foreign nationals with “Nursing Care” status of residence
can consult with these branch offices.

7

TechnicalInternTraining

Employment of foreigners using the Technical Intern Training Program(technical intern trainee)

Requirements
Expected to engage in jobs requiring acquired skills,
etc., after returning to home country; has experiencein same type of job as long-term care, etc.
Prior local selection by sending organization

Local interview, matching

Local training and Japanese language
proficiency tests by sending organization

Entry

Training by supervising organization(two months in principle)

Training (employment) bycare service provider
At end ofYear 1 Written and practical exam
At end ofPractical examination
Year 3At end ofPractical examination
Year 5Return to home country*Maximum of 5 year residence

Technical Intern Training Program is a program intended fortransferring skills from Japan to other countries, by accepting
foreign nationals at Japanese industry for certain period tolearn skills and technologies, etc., through OJT for contribution
to economic development of their native countries.
■Execute employment contract with technical intern trainees
Technical intern trainees are employed by the care service provider
after receiving training on Japanese language and basics of long-termcare, etc. The purpose of the program is acquisition of long-term careskills (technical training); however, as the trainees learn through work,
an employment contract shall be executed with the service provider.
■ Required Japanese language proficiency is about N4
at time of entry and about N3 after one year
Required Japanese language proficiency is about N4 in Japanese
Language Proficiency Test at time of entry but must reach about
N3 after one year. If about N3 level is not achieved after one year,
continued residence to the third year is allowed subject tolearning necessary Japanese for mastering long-term care skills
at the employing service provider.
■Tests are given every one or two years, and maximumof five year employment can be obtained upon passing
Additional two year training can be received by passing the test one
year after entry, and further two year training can be received bypassing the test three years after entry. Subsequently, the trainee
returns to the home country to engage in long-term care. However, if
the Certified Care Worker national qualification is obtained during theTechnical Intern Training period, status of residence can be changed to“Nursing Care” for permanent employment in Japan. Technical interntrainees who complete third year of training will be exempted fromexaminations required for “Specified Skilled Worker (i)” on page 9.
■ Support by supervising organization includes training
and acceptance support
For accepting trainees, organizations such as business cooperatives andcommerce and industry associations act as supervising organizations,
accepting the technical intern trainees and providing training, thencoordinating with care service providers who offer the internship.

Confirm whether the business meets requirementsfor providing technical intern training

Search for local supervising organization
When employing a technical intern trainee,
search and contact a supervisingorganization that provides acceptance
support. Organization for Technical Intern
Training (OTIT) website has a searchfunction for supervising organizations.

The system has requirements for care service
providers providing technical intern training.
Confirm “ Requirements Regarding
Implementing Organizations” on Japan
International Training Cooperation Organization(JITCO) website. Also confirm the OTIT website(see left) which provides information on
relevant laws and regulations and notices.

8

Purpose and history of technical intern training program
Technical Intern Training Program was established in 1993
as part of international contribution to accept foreign
nationals from developing regions, etc., as technical interntrainees by the Japanese industries for a certain period toacquire skills and technologies, etc.
Initially, foreign nationals visiting Japan under thisprogram were accepted by Japanese corporations as
trainees (“Trainee” status of residence). As the purpose of
the program is “transfer of skills,” the trainees wererequired to attend training lectures for certain period andcould not execute an employment contract with thecorporation for that time.
Under these circumstances, some corporations started touse the trainees without employment contracts as sourceof cheap labor without application of labor related laws
and regulations, and failure to pay wages, low wages, andunpaid overtime became problems.

Specified
SkilledWorkerIn response, the government reviewed the requirements
for “Trainee” status of residence in 2010 and reclassified
the acceptance of technical intern trainees under thesystem to the newly created “Technical Intern Training”
status of residence. Consequently, corporations could
have technical intern trainees engage in work immediately
after entering Japan as part of training but are required
to execute employment contracts and to strictly comply
with labor related laws and regulations. However, as the
purpose of technical intern training remains “transfer ofskills,” in principle, the trainees are to return andcontribute to the home country after the training.
Employment of technical intern trainees should be madein accordance with the purpose of the program to ensurethat it does not divert from the original intent, andtraining should be provided in compliance with labor
related laws and regulations.

Employment of foreigners with “Specified Skilled Worker (i)”status of residence

Confirm skill level and Japanese
language proficiency with tests, etc.

“Specified Skilled Worker (i)” is a status of residence for
accepting foreign nationals for the purpose of employment,
to be implemented from April 2019.

Entry

Targeted foreign nationals enter Japan subject to confirmationof skill level and Japanese language proficiency with tests, etc.
Care service provider may provide maximum of five-year
employment.

Employment by Care Service Provider

Return to home country*Maximum of 5 year residence

They must return to the home country after five years;
however, if the Certified Care Worker national qualification is
obtained, status of residence can be changed to “Nursing
Care” for permanent employment in Japan. Technical interntrainees who complete third year of training are exemptedfrom examinations required for “Specified Skilled Worker (i).”Employment of foreign nationals with status of residence such as“Permanent Resident” is another method.
Some foreign residents in Japan have status of residencewith no limitation on employment. Foreign nationals withstatus of residence such as “Permanent Resident,”“Spouse or Child of Japanese Nationals,” “Spouse or Childof Permanent Resident,” and “Long Term Resident” canwork in mostly same manner as a Japanese national.
“Permanent Resident” status has no limitation on periodof residence or employment, and “Spouse or Child ofJapanese Nationals,” “Spouse or Child of Permanent
Resident,” and “Long Term Resident” status has limits on
period of residence but no limitation on employment.

9

These people may be employed for relatively long term
without limitation on employment. In addition, many longterm residents may not require explanation on Japaneseculture and customs, or support in living aspects.
Local foreign residents may be considered from theperspective of similar employment process to a Japanesenational.

Comparison of Four Systems for Employing Foreign Care Workers
EPA

Employment of Certified
Care Worker Candidates
under Economic Partnership
Agreement (EPA)

Nursing
Care

Employment of foreigners who
graduated a certified care worker
training school in Japan and have“Nursing Care” status of residence

Acceptance for the purpose of acquiring Certified Care Worker
national qualification (enhance international cooperation)

Acceptance of foreign workers in specialist/technical areas

Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam

N/A

Status of
Residence“Designated Activities”*Provided, however, “Student” before acquiring Certified Care Worker
qualification (while attending Certified Care Worker training school)

Period ofResidence

Prior to obtaining Certified Care Worker qualification: 4 years
in principle (5 years if certain conditions are met)
After obtaining Certified Care Worker qualification: Can be
renewed without limitation

Can be renewed without limitation

After obtaining Certified Care Worker qualification:
Family members (spouse/child) can join

Family members (spouse/child) can join

Purpose of
SystemSending Country

Family Members“Nursing Care”(Points to note on selection of students in “Guidelines for Accepting Foreign
Students” by Japan Association of Training Institutions for Certified Care Workers)

Japanese
Language
Proficiency
Requiredfor Foreign
Care Workers□Indonesia/Philippines
After six months local training, enter with about JLPT N5
or above, receive six months training in Japan, and start
employment at care service provider□VietnamAfter twelve months local training, enter with about JLPT
N3 or above, receive 2.5 months training in Japan, andstart employment at care service provider

Select individuals with one of the following levels of Japanese
Language Proficiency:
・Individual who has passed Japanese Language Proficiency Test N2 or above;
・Individual who has been educated for six months or more at aJapanese language education organization notified by the Ministerof Justice and is confirmed to have equivalent of N2 or above inJapanese language test at entrance examination;

・Individual who has scored 200 points or above in Japanese

Language subject in the Examination for Japanese University
Admission for International Students (EJU); or・Individual who has scored 400 points or above in the BJT BusinessJapanese Proficiency Test.

□Indonesia
Long-term Care
Knowledge/
Experience, etc.
Requiredfor Foreign
Care Workers“Graduate Indonesian nursing school (minimum 3 year program)” or“graduate tertiary educational organization (minimum 3 year
program) and care worker certification by Indonesian government”□Philippinesー“Graduate Filipino nursing school (Bachelor) (4 years)” or “graduate four
year university and care worker certification by Filipino government”□VietnamCompletion of 3 or 4 year nursing program

Requirement toTake Certified
Care Worker
National
Examination
Acceptance
Support・Must take national examination
・As an exception, individual who fails the exam but satisfies
certain scores may have residence extended for one year
only and take the examination again*National examination may be taken again with “Short-Term Stay”
status of residence after returning to home country

・Accepting organizations (care service providers) must provide
training and support system for obtaining national certification
Japan International Corporation of Welfare Services (JICWELS)・Must take national examination
・Individuals who graduated Certified Care Worker
training school between AY2017-2021 can maintain
Certified Care Worker qualification either by engaging
in long-term care for five years after graduation or
passing the national examination
N/A (voluntary hiring activity by care service provider)

Following only refers to provisions of Long-Term Care Insurance Act

Types of Eligible
Services for
Employment

Three types of Facility Covered by Long-Term Care Insurance,
communal long-term care facility for people with dementia,
Specified Facilities, Outpatient Day Long-Term Care, Outpatient
Rehabilitation, day care for people with dementia, and short-stay

N/A*After obtaining certified care worker qualification, can engage inhome-visit services by providers satisfying certain conditions

Period Required
for Inclusion inPlacement Quota

Individuals with JLPT N2 or above can be included inplacement quota upon employment. Others can be included
after six months from employment.

Can be included in placement quota upon employment

Night Shift

Prior to obtaining Certified Care Worker qualification: Yes, after
six months from employment or have passed Japanese
Language Proficiency Test N1 or N2
After obtaining Certified Care Worker qualification: Yes

Yes

Transfer within
Same Corporation

Prior to obtaining Certified Care Worker qualification: No, in principle

Switching Jobs
within Long-term
Care Industry

Prior to obtaining Certified Care Worker qualification: No, in principle

After obtaining Certified Care Worker qualification: Yes
After obtaining Certified Care Worker qualification: Yes(however, requires permission to change status of residence)

10

Yes
Yes

*Based on information as of April 1, 2019Technical Employment of foreigners using theInternTechnical Intern Training Program
Training (technical intern trainee)

Specified Employment of foreigners with
Skilled “Specified Skilled Worker (i)”Worker status of residence

Transfer of skills from Japan to another country (international contribution)

Acceptance of foreign nationals with specific expertise/skills to address
labor shortage

N/A

N/A

Year 1: “Technical Intern Training (i)”Year 2-3: “Technical Intern Training (ii)”Year 4-5: “Technical Intern Training (iii)”“Specified Skilled Worker (i)”Technical Intern Training (i): 1 year maximum
Technical Intern Training (ii) (transfer from (i) after passing trade skill test):
2 years maximum
Technical Intern Training (iii) (transfer from (ii) after passing trade skill test):
2 years maximum
Total 5 years maximum (for Excellent Supervising Organizations andExcellent Implementing Organizations)

5 years maximum

Family members (spouse/child) cannot join

Family members (spouse/child) cannot join

At time of entry:
About N3 in Japanese Language Proficiency Test is desirable, about
N4 is minimum requirement
One year after entry (at time of conversion to “(ii)” ):Minimum requirement of about N3

Confirm following Japanese language proficiency with pre-arrival test, etc
・Certain level of everyday conversation skills for living
・Japanese language skills necessary for working in long-term care*Individual who has completed third year of technical intern training or Certified
Care Worker training school is deemed to satisfy the necessary Japanese
language proficiency, and is exempted from examinations, etc.

*If about N3 level is not achieved after one year, continued residence tothe third year is allowed subject to learning necessary Japanese formastering long-term care skills at the employing service provider

Supervising Organization Type:Has “experience with similar job” in the foreign country, or specificcircumstances exit requiring participation in technical intern training
Individual Enterprise Type:
Employee of foreign organization with close relationship with theimplementing organization

Confirm following skill levels with pre-arrival test, etc.
・Level required for appropriately working in the accepting industry*Individual who has completed third year of technical intern training or
Certified Care Worker training school is deemed to satisfy the necessary
skill levels, and is exempted from examinations, etc.

N/A (voluntary)

N/A (voluntary)* Status of residence may be converted to “Nursing Care” by obtaining Certified Care
Worker qualification* Status of residence may be converted to “Nursing Care” by obtaining Certified Care
Worker qualification

Supervising Organization Type: Each supervising organization
Individual Enterprise Type: Each enterprise

Support by registered supporting organization

Excludingservices

Excludingserviceshome-visit

Individuals with JLPT N2 or above can be included in placement quota
upon employment. Others can be included after six months from
employment
Conditional*

home-visit

Can be included in placement quota upon employment(Provided, however, a framework for securing safety in care provided at
accepting facility for six months is required)*Simultaneous placement of care workers other than technical intern trainee isrequired. Industry guideline also sets forth the requirement for multiple
employees comprising of trainee and care workers other than technical interntrainee conducting work. Industry guideline requires efforts by corporations
such as limiting night shifts, etc. to second year onwards.

Yes

Yes

Provided, however, limited to where the transfer is deemed necessary for acquiring
the skills, etc. under the Technical Intern Training program.

Yes

No, in principle

Yes

11

Foreign Care Worker Employment Case Study and Comments by Care Service Providers
EPA

Example of Care Service Provider Employing EPA Care Workers

Employment of Indonesian EPA Care Worker
at TOKUYO “S”
Corporate summary
Social welfare corporations providing long-term careservices ( TOKUYO, home-visit long-term care,
outpatient day long-term care, etc.), and facilities
providing services and supports for the disabled, etc.
Status of employment of EPA Care Workers
Employed at three TOKUYO from 2015
Overview of TOKUYO “S”
Established in May 2020, 100 beds, 116 employees, of which
70 are care workers, with employment of 9 EPA Care
Workers (actual numbers, as of February 2019)/ Working
on development of foreign care workers to prepare fordecrease of working population of Japanese nationals.
April 2014
Apply to JICWELS for acceptance of EPA Care Workers

Local seminar on FY2015 acceptance(Participated in Jakarta and Medan)
Matching of accepting facilities and EPA Care Workers(Capture status of each EPA Care Worker)
Pre-arrival Japanese language training (six months)
After-arrival Japanese language training/care worker introductory training (six months)
December 2015
Total of nine trainees started employment at thecorporation, of which three were employed at theTOKUYO “S” (Nine trainees as of February 2019.
Further two trainees to be accepted in December 2019)

What preparations did you make for accepting?
Promoted mutual understanding and provided thorough instruction
to respect everyone’s religion and to avoid trouble at work.
All staff

Implemented training for understanding Islam

EPA
Care Workers

Explained rules for working at the facility
such as prayers to be limited to breaks, etc.

What study support framework is provided?
In addition to study support such as JICWELS group training and new-hiretraining program at the facility, following support is being provided:
Months 2-4
・Japanese language class (once a week)
Year 1

Year 2Month 5 to 2 years 4 months
・Certified Care Worker Examination Preparation (once a week)
・Instruction on home study given at the facility
・Study at facility during work hours (several hours per week)
2 years 5 months - examination
・Certified Care Worker Examination Preparation (twice a week)

What system do you have for living support?
Appointed one living support coordinator at corporate headquarters,
and one at the TOKUYO “S.”I got home sick

It is hard to ask
questions tosupervisors

Difficult to visit hospital,
Hard toor follow procedures understand value
at municipal office of money in Japanon my own

Detailed follow-up
including intervention
with workplace
human relationshipand accompanying
hospital visits

Skills and career development

Actual expenses for accepting students(approximation) as of FY2015(Target for Skill Acquisition)
Start ofTraining 6 months 8 months 18 months
Certified New
Day Early Late Night Care
EPA Care
Shift Shift Shift Shift Worker
Accredi- Workers’
instructor
tationStart working under supervision of instructor,
then move to the next step when capable of working alone

Job application fee : 20,000 yen
Training management fee (annual) (JICWELS) : 20,000 yen per student
Brokerage fee (JICWELS) : 131,400 yen per student
Sending fee (Indonesia) : 36,500 yen per student
Japanese language training fee (Japanese language training organization):
360,000 yen per student*Other, including travel expense for participating in local group seminar

Q. How are the EPA care workers at their job?
A. EPA care workers have abundant knowledge as they have graduated nursing school, and their high motivation to work is having good effect on theJapanese employees. Many users and family members have commented that EPA care workers are sweet and detailed, and that it’s good to have them here.

Q. What efforts are needed for EPA care workers to prosper?
A. Organizational decision-making structure and rules must be clarified. Corporations that operate several facilities must ensure that the policies are
consistent between the facilities. We ensure information sharing between Japanese employees and EPA Care Workers, by holding joint meetings on at least
monthly basis. Support framework for EPA Care Workers is also important. We have one living support coordinator at corporate headquarters, and one ateach facility. When the EPA Care Workers acquire Certified Care Worker accreditation, we would like them to support future EPA Care Workers.

12TechnicalInternTraining

Comment from Care Service Provider Employing Technical Intern Trainee

Supervising organization must be carefully selected when employing
Technical Intern Trainees. The key is screening before local interview,
and pre-arrival and post-arrival trainings. Screening before local
interview and pre-arrival training is performed by the local sendingorganization, but the care service provider cannot select the sendingorganization. Therefore, becoming a member of a supervisingorganization that has an agreement with sending organizations thatprovide screening and training that matches the service provider’sneeds is very important.
Supervising organization for the corporation has an agreement withthe sending organization to have “graduate of nursing schools” as arequirement for screening before local interview. In addition, at
pre-arrival Japanese training, candidates who obtained N4
qualification which is the minimum requirement for entry to Japanare to continue training, aiming to obtain N3 prior to arrival. Training
by the supervising organization after arrival incorporates care
worker induction course.
Technical intern trainees go through these selection process/training,
so they are quick to master technical skills, and are capable of solidly
performing tasks in about a month after starting OJT.
Technical intern trainees are very promising resources, consideringthat they can be employed for three years if they pass theexamination one year after entry, and can select “ Nursing Care ”
status of residence if they become a Certified Care Worker during
the training period, and that they can be exempted from some of theexamination for “ Specified Skilled Worker (i)” status of residence ifthey complete third year of training.

Becoming a member of supervisingorganization that has an agreement withsending organizations that provide
selection and training, etc. that matches
the services provider’s needs is key

Care Service
ProviderMembership

Sending
Supervising
Organization
Organization
Contract・Screening before local interview
・Post-arrival training
・Pre-arrival training etc.
・Training supervision, etc.

Main expenses required for employment of Technical Intern Trainees(in the c ase of employing up to Technical Intern Training (ii) )At time of joining union

・Union joining fee
・Union contribution
・Union charges

At time of conversion to TechnicalIntern Training (ii)・Technical Intern Training Evaluation
Examination (Basic)
At time of N4 qualification ・Stamp duty for changing status of residence
・Technical Intern Training Plan renewal
report to OTIT
・Sending organization pre-arrival application fee
education fee
At time of renewal of period forTechnical Intern Training (ii)・Technical Intern Training Plan
accreditation application fee
・Stamp duty for renewal status of residence
・Cost for sending documents from Before completion of training
each country
・Technical Intern Training Evaluation
・Trainee comprehensive insurance Examination (Specialist)
・Travel expense to JapanAt time of return to home country
・Domestic travel expense in Japan ・Travel expense for returning to home country
at time of entry
travel expense in home・Cost of pre-employment health ・Domestic
country upon returning
examination
Monthly expenses
・Post-arrival training expense,
・Union supervisory expense
dormitory fee
Sending management expense
・・Post-arrival training allowance

Status of Students at Certified Care Worker Training Schools
Recently, the number of foreign nationals studying at Japanese certified care worker training schools is increasing, and some training schools
have established frameworks for accepting such students. Academic background of students in the home country varies from high school,
junior college, technical institutions to university and graduate schools, and many have Japanese language proficiency level of about N2 to
N3. Some of the foreign nationals are expected to prosper as Certified Care Workers at Japanese long-term care facilities after graduation.
(Foreign students’ academic background in home country)(Foreign students’ Japanese language proficiency)n = 595

Below Senior High School 3.5%
Senior High School 23.5%
Junior College, Technical Institutions 38.8%
University, Graduate School 31.8%
No answer 2.4%0%Year 120%

About N1
3.9%

n = 432

Year 2 and About N1
above
4.7%
n =14840%

60%

About N2

About N3

28.9%

40.7%

About N2

About N3

41.2%

31.1%

80%

100%
N/A

About N4 About N5
10.0%
6.5% 5.8% No answer 4.2%
N/A

About N4 About N5 13.5%
1.4% 2.0% No answer 6.1%

Source: FY2018 MHLW subsidy for research study “Survey on Acceptance of Foreign Students by Certified Care Worker Training Schools” (as of October 1, 2018)
Note 1. Survey targeted foreign students studying at certified care worker training school with casual job at long-term care facilities
Note 2. On Japanese language proficiency, students who have taken JLPT selected applicable levels from N1 to N5, and students who haven’t taken JLPT
selected the levels from N1 equivalent to N5 equivalent. The aggregated result is shown as about N1 to about N5.

What study support is provided to students incollaboration with certified care worker training schools?

What do you focus on when communicating withforeign students?

We share information such as status of study and grade transcript of
foreign students with the training school and teach Japanese
language and long-term care skills using free time of foreign students.
If we hear from the training school that a student seems to be having
difficulty writing Japanese, we practice writing long-term carerecords; if another student is not good at listening comprehension,
we provide special study aids.
Long-term care skills may involve communication with users of the
facility, as well as housekeeping and physical care, starting with
low-risk tasks. We not only teach the technical methods but provide
detailed explanation on why things are done in a certain way.

We would like them to master necessary skills for providing
high quality long-term care service. On the other hand, we
respect their culture, and do not ask them to completely
assimilate with the Japanese.
For example, due to the culture of respecting elders, students
seem to have difficulty saying that they do not understand the
explanation given by an older person. So, we take care to give
explanation in plain language, and make extra efforts to confirm
their understanding. In addition, we provide support for living,such as taking them to restaurants serving food of their homecountry and buying blankets to prepare for cold weather.

13

Points to note when hiring foreign care workers
Take note of the following to ensure foreign care workers stay at the workplace
Make sure that the users
are comfortable

Foreign care workers
are not source of cheap labor

Long-term care involves personal service and requires
communication in Japanese language. To make surethat the users are comfortable, foreign care workers
should acquire necessary level of Japanese language
proficiency.
In addition to basic technical terminology, they shouldhave knowledge of mimetic words and onomatopoeicwords necessary for understanding what the user istrying to communicate and learn long-term careterminology necessary for communication with other
employees.

When foreign care workers are engaged in equivalentlabor as Japanese, they should be treated the same.
This also applies to casual employment of foreign
students. The Minimum Wage Act must be complied
with, and the compensation level should be equal toor higher than the compensation for Japanesenationals doing the same job.

Pay attention to religious
and cultural differences

Provide wide range of support including
living aspects

Depending on the religion of the foreign care worker,
there may be dietary restrictions and time required for
prayer. They may have culture and customs unfamiliar
to the Japanese. Confirm and respect the religion andculture, etc. of each employee.

Support for living environment is also important forforeign care workers to work. Support for securing
housing and commute to work should be helpful. Living
supports provided by many long-term care facilities
employing EPA Care Workers are provided on page 5for your reference.

Pay attention toresidency management

Provide prior detailed
explanation to employees

Pay attention to residency management. Pleaseprovide support including on procedures for renewalof residency period. Employment that differs from thecontents of application at the time of residency period
renewal procedure, etc. (different job or hasty transfer
between facilities, etc.), is not permitted.

When employing foreign nationals, understanding by
co-workers who work together and provide educationis very important. Start hiring activity after providing
detailed explanation to the staff on what system will
be implemented by the business to employ foreign
nationals.

When offering scholarships, etc.,
be careful not to make employment bycertain providers mandatory

When offering casual employment toforeign students, please note the limit onhours of work, etc.

When offering/lending scholarship, etc. to foreign
students attending Japanese language schools or
training schools, demanding employment by the careservice provider that offered/lent the scholarship, etc.
is not permitted. In case of a loan, making employment
by the providers for a certain period after graduation
as a condition for exemption from repayment ofscholarship, etc. may be permissible, but reasonable
repayment rule, etc. should be established in case of
no employment.

When offering casual employment to foreign students
attending Certified Care Worker training schools,
relevant laws and regulations must be complied with.
Foreign students must obtain permission from the
Immigration Bureau for activities outside their
qualification in advance.
Hours of work must be within 28 hours per week, andthe obligations of the business owner include provision ofclear written statement of the labor conditions, purchaseof industrial accident compensation insurance, andprovision of paid leave.

14

Contact List for Employment of Foreign Care Workers
SystemDescription

Contact

Telephone Number

EPA

Employment ofCertified Care
Worker Candidates
under EPA

Japan International Corporation of Welfare
Services (JICWELS) Acceptance Support for
Foreign Professionals Department

03 - 6206 -1138

Nursing
Care

Consultation on all
matters regarding
foreign students
aiming to become a
Certified Care Worker

Japan Association of Training Institutions for
Certified Care Workers, Helpline forInternational Students to Become Certified
Care Workers

0120 - 07- 8505

Technical
InternTraining

Employment ofTechnical Intern
Trainees using theTechnical Intern
Training Program

Organization for Technical Intern Training(OTIT) Call Center

03 - 3453 - 8000

Technical
InternTraining

Employment ofTechnical Intern
Trainees using theTechnical Intern
Training Program

Japan International Training Cooperation
Organization (JITCO) Technical Intern Training
Affairs Department, Consultancy Division

03 - 4306 -1160

HP*For employment of foreigners with “Specified Skilled Worker (i)” status of residence, contact the Regional Immigration
Bureau or District Immigration Office.

Detailed Information on Systems for Employing Foreign Care Workers
For detailed information on the four systems for employing foreign care workers, confirm the Ministry of Health, Labourand Welfare website below.

EPA

Nursing Care

Employment of Certified
Care Worker Candidates
under Economic Partnership
Agreement (EPA)

Employment of foreigners who
graduated a certified care
worker training school in Japanand have “Nursing Care”
status of residence

Technical Intern
Training

Specified
Skilled Worker

Employment of foreigners
using the Technical Intern
Training Program(technical intern trainee)

Employment of foreigners
with “Specified Skilled
Worker (i)” status ofresidence

Guidebook for Care Service Providers on Employment of Foreign Care Workers
Issued in March 2019

Published by ■ Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting Co., Ltd.
Address ■ Holland Hills Mori Tower, 5 - 11-2, Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Telephone ■ 03 - 6733 - 1000
This Guidebook was prepared as part of the FY2018 MHLW subsidy for research study “Research on Establishment of Acceptance Environment for
Foreign Care Workers.”1516