The Japanese government has begun accepting applications from certified care workers and nurses from the Philippines who are interested to work in Japan under a program created through the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).

In a statement Tuesday, the Japanese Embassy said the 2026 Japan-Philippine initiative will allocate 50 nurse (Kangoshi) and 300 care worker (Kaigofukushishi) positions for Filipino nationals.

Accepted candidates will undergo free Japanese language training for six months in the Philippines and six months in Japan, prior to their three to four year work duration at Japanese hospitals and caregiving facilities.

Applicants for the nurse position must be graduates of Bachelor of Science in Nursing with active Philippine Regulatory Commission (PRC) license and has a minimum of three years of hospital, clinic or health center work experience.

Care worker applicants, meanwhile, may be a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (with or without PRC license) or a four-year course (with TESDA National Certificate II in Caregiving (NC II).

Daily living allowance will be provided for the whole duration of the language training.

Candidates, meanwhile, are encouraged to eventually obtain the Japanese license for Kangoshi and Kaigofukushishi to give them the opportunity for longer employment term in Japan.

Deadline for submission of online applications is on April 5, 2026. Interested applicants may visit the DMW announcement webpage for more information: https://wcms.dmw.gov.ph/uploads/260002_JAPAN_4_T_REVISION_9750f8ee7b.pdf.

The initiative is implemented by the Department of Migrant Workers in cooperation with the Japan International Corporation of Welfare Services. (PNA)