A total of 270 nurses and caregivers who applied under JPEPA or the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) left for Japan last May 10. They are the first batch of health care workers given the opportunity to work abroad as a nurse.

The second batch of 10 workers is scheduled to leave on May 31, for a total of 280 successful applicants. There are still 86 positions available for there are originally, 366 job vacancies for 134 Japanese institutions and facilities.

A total of 92 nurses and 188 caregivers was facilitated by Japan International Corporation of Welfare Services (JICWELS). This is the governing body of Japan for overseas workers and it like the counterpart of POEA in the Philippines.

Before they can work in hospitals and care facilities, they will first undergo language and culture training for six months. Meanwhile, others, specifically the second batch of workers will not go through this training because they are already proficient in the Japanese language.

These nurses are set to take the Kangoshi licensure examination set for February 2010. Meanwhile, the caregivers will take the national certification examination for Kaigofukushishi after at least three years of work experience in Japan.