There is a high demand for caregivers and certified care workers in Japan. For a seamless transition from international student to care worker, consider studying caregiving in Japan.
First Published: 2020-09-08
Updated: 2024-02-06
Table of Contents
- What is Kaigofukushishi (介護福祉士)?
- How to Become a Kaigofukushishi
- Why Study Caregiver in Japan?
- Study Caregiver in Japan
- Working Part-Time Caregiver Jobs in Japan while In-Training
- Find a Caregiver Job in Japan with WeXpats
What is Kaigofukushishi (介護福祉士)?
Kaigofukushishi (介護福祉士) are “Certified Care Workers” in Japan. They are professionals who have earned the title of “Kaigofukushishi” after passing the national qualification based on Chapter III of the Certified Social Worker and Certified Care Worker Act (社会福祉士及び介護福祉士法).
According to Article 2 (2) of the Act, a Kaigofukushishi, aka Certified Care Worker, is a person with expert skills and knowledge to provide care for a person with physical disabilities, mental disabilities or mental disorder that makes leading a normal life difficult.
Following the revision of the Certified Social Worker and Certified Care Worker Act in 2007, it has become compulsory to pass the national exam in order to become a Kaigofukushishi. Additionally, after passing the national exam, one must also be registered on the Certified Care Worker Registration Roster (介護福祉士登録簿) in order to practice.
※ Japanese Law Translation by Ministry of Justice Japan, “Certified Social Worker and Certified Care Worker Act”
What expertise and knowledge is required of a Kaigofukushishi?
Caregivers primarily provide nursing care at social welfare facilities such as nursing homes, physically disabled facilities, and home helpers (visiting caregivers). In addition to providing nursing care , Kaigofukushishi also educates and provides guidance on nursing care methods to help improve the quality of life of care-recipients. They also handle consultations related to nursing care.
Additionally, certified care workers also work with nursing care staff at facilities and collaborate with doctors and nurses to help care-recipients achieve independence in their daily lives.
According to the Japan Association of Certified Care Workers, the expertise of a Kaigofukushishi includes:
- Development and implementation of evidence-based nursing care methods to enable recipients’ independence
- Education and guidance of care-giving recipients and support them towards their goal of independence
- Improve the environment (physical, institutional, etc.) so that needs of recipients whether physical, psychological, etc. are met, and collaborate with related job sectors and those involved to build a better work and living environment.
How to Become a Kaigofukushishi
There are four pathways to becoming a Kaigofukushishi in Japan:
Certified Care Worker Training Facility Route
- Studying and completing your education at a Certified Care Worker Training Facility - 介護福祉士養成施設 (Kaigofukushishi Yousei Shisetsu)
- Then, take and pass the national examination
Practical Experience Route
- Engaging in caregiver work for 3 years or more
- Complete practical training
- Then, take and pass the national examination
Vocational High School Route
- Studying specific subjects and gain credits related to welfare at a Japanese vocational high school
- Then, take and pass the national examination after graduating
EPA Route
- Coming to Japan as a foreign caregiver under an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) having been engaged in caregiver work for 3 years or more
- Then, take and pass the national examination
The Kaigofukushishi National Qualification Exam
The Certified Care Worker National Examination (介護福祉士国家試験) is the national qualification exam to become a Certified Care Worker (Kaigofukushishi) in Japan. It is conducted by the Social Welfare Promotion and Examination Center (公益財団法人社会福祉振興・試験センター) once a year.
The exam consists of a written test and practical exam. The written test is usually held in late January and the practical exam in early March. Registration is usually open for a month from August the year before.
The written test covers the following areas:
- Human Dignity and Independence
- Human Relationships and Communication
- Understanding Society
- Mind and Body Mechanisms
- Understanding Growth and Aging
- Understanding Dementia
- Understanding Disabilities
- Medical Care
- Fundamentals of Nursing
- Communication Techniques
- Life Support Techniques
- Nursing Process
- Comprehensive Issues
※ Social Welfare Promotion and National Examination Center, “試験概要”
Why Study Caregiver in Japan?
In recent years, the employment of foreign nationals in the caregiving industry has been on the rise. Japan is facing a population aging crisis coupled with low birth rate, resulting in a serious shortage of caregivers.
According to the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research’s Population Projection for Japan released in April 2023, Japan’s population is projected to decrease by 30%, with residents aged 65 and over to make up around 40% of the population by 2070. As such, there is an immediate need in the caregiving industry for more caregivers. Therefore, it can be said that the caregiving industry is a great opportunity for foreign nationals to work in Japan right now and in the future.
There are many pathways to getting a caregiver job in Japan, but studying caregiver in Japan is by far the most seamless transition and the easiest way to land a job. In addition, becoming a Kaigofukushi (certified care worker) comes with additional benefits:
- Higher Salary
- Professionally Qualified
- Eligible for the “Nursing Care (介護)” Visa that has up to 5 years period of stay in Japan, unlimited visa renewals, and allows dependant visas to be issued
Study Caregiver in Japan at a Training Facility
Where to study caregiver in Japan?
介護福祉士養成施設 (Kaigofukushishi Yousei Shisetsu), aka Certified Care Worker Training Facility, or Caregiver Training Facility.
介護福祉士養成施設 (Kaigofukushishi Yousei Shisetsu) are training facilities or schools for those aiming to become caregivers or certified care workers in Japan. For international students, Japanese proficiency level of JLPT N2 or higher is recommended or required for admission. This is necessary in order to understand the curriculum, moreover, the Kaigofukushishi National Exam is conducted in Japanese, so consider it essential training. There are students who first study in a Japanese language school to attain the necessary Japanese proficiency before joining a caregiver school.
The Japan Association of Training Institutions for Certified Care Workers (介養協, Kaiyoukyou) has a multilingual website and helpline to support potential and existing caregiver international students. If you are interested in studying caregiver in Japan, or are facing any problems as a caregiver international student in Japan, then please contact them for assistance.
You can also find Caregiver Training Facilities that accept international students on the website’s search school tool here (search by location, type of institution, multilingual site availability). We also recommend looking through their Website that contains useful information and FAQs for those aspiring to study caregiving, and become a Kaigofukushishi in Japan.
Kaigo Ryugaku Support (介護留学サポート)
Scholarships may be available for international students with excellent academic performance, and tuition deduction or waiver systems may be available for students who require financial assistance. Please inquire with the school for more details.
We were honoured to have been given the opportunity to interview one of the listed Caregiver Training Facilities. Take this chance to read our interview of Matsuyama Gakusen Matsuyama College of Welfare (Chiba Prefecture).
Working Part-Time Caregiver Jobs in Japan while In-Training
Same as other international students, those enrolled in a Caregiver Training Facility, are allowed to work part time jobs up to 28 hours a week after receiving permission to engage in other activities. You are not restricted to working only caregiver part time jobs, but there are advantages to working part time as a caregiver:
Experience the Japanese Caregiver Scene
If you are studying to be a caregiver in Japan, that means you are interested in a career as a caregiver in Japan. By working a part time caregiver job, not only can you study caregiving at school, but also experience the actual workplace. It’s a chance to expand your practical knowledge by putting what you’ve learnt in the classroom on the field.
Learn Japanese Language and Culture
Majority of the staff and residents of nursing homes, etc. social welfare facilities are Japanese, so Japanese is the primary language spoken. You will have many opportunities to practise your Japanese, leading to improved communication skills. Additionally, you can also pick up industry terminology and abbreviations used in the field.
Not just that, seasonal events are commonly held at nursing homes, so you can learn about Japanese culture. For example, many nursing homes hold special events on New Year’s Day and Setsubun. Experience Japanese culture by eating New Year’s dishes, and throwing beans (a Setsbun tradition) with the residents.
Part Time Job Leads to Full Time Employment
In recent years, there are not enough caregivers in Japan with a decline in the number of caregivers while nursing home residents increase. Many nursing homes, etc. facilities are suffering from shortage of human resources.
Some facilities employ students from training facilities as part time workers, and then hire them as full time employees after graduation. If you want to continue working in Japan using your Kaigofukushishi qualification after graduation, we recommend working a part time job while in school to help you find a job.
Find a Caregiver Job in Japan with WeXpats
WeXpats operates a service for foreign nationals who want to work in Japan. There are jobs in a variety of industries including Caregiver, Nursing, Welfare, and Medical Care jobs. There are 3 patterns for finding jobs with WeXpats:
① Search Jobs Yourself
WeXpats Jobs is a job site for foreign nationals who want to work in Japan. You can search for jobs in 11 languages (English, Vietnamese, Korean, Indonesian, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Burmese, Thai, Spanish, Portuguese), including Japanese. Find jobs that suit you by specifying your Japanese language level, occupation, location, and etc.
② Receive Job Offers from Companies
Complete this short questionnaire on WeXpats Jobs to receive updates about jobs that match your desired work conditions. It’s completely free to use, so register as a member using the button below to find a job that suits you!
※ You can register from outside Japan, but only those living in Japan can apply for jobs.
③ Speak to a Career Advisor
WeXpats Agent is a career support service brought to you by WeXpats Jobs. Speak to our bilingual career advisors in English or Japanese, and get introductions for full time positions to companies that best fit you. As we receive job ads with the intention of introducing them to foreign nationals in Japan, we can suggest jobs to you right away.
※Currently, WeXpats Agent is only available to those living in Japan. ※The languages we currently support are English and Japanese. ※Only full time job recommendations are available on WeXpats Agent. For part time jobs, please check WeXpats Jobs.
If you are particularly interested in caregiving jobs, you can check the list of caregiver job openings available by clicking on the button below. There are both part-time and full-time positions available.
