日本社會正面臨嚴重老齡化問題，尤其在醫療與長期照護領域，護理人力短缺已成為迫切的社會課題。據統計，日本的護理人員缺口預計將在未來達到約57萬人，這種供需失衡直接影響到醫院、養老院以及家庭護理服務的運作效率。為了應對這一挑戰，日本政府和地方縣市正在積極探索引進外國護理人力的方案，其中印度護工成為近期引進的重要對象。部分縣政府甚至舉辦專門的研討會，向民眾介紹外國護理人員的資格與作用，旨在提升社會接受度與理解度。

在日本，外國人若想成為註冊護士（看護師），主要有三條途徑。第一種是與日本本地學生相同的路徑：需就讀由日本厚生勞動大臣指定的護理學校，通過日本國家護士考試。申請者必須具備高中畢業學歷以及日語 N1 級能力，入學門檻較高。第二種途徑適用於已持有海外護理資格者：這類人士需在本國完成護理課程並取得護士執照，赴日後向厚生勞動省申請「受驗資格認定」，獲批後方可參加日本護士國家考試。申請條件包括課程總時長需達 3,000 小時以上、教育環境需符合日本標準，並通過日語能力考試 N1。第三種途徑則是通過經濟夥伴協定（EPA）項目，主要針對印尼、越南和菲律賓籍候補者。這些候補者可以 EPA 外國人護理師候補者身份來日，一邊實習、一邊準備國家考試，最多可停留三年，考試合格後即可正式成為護士，無需額外申請資格認定。對應簽證類別主要為醫療簽證，EPA 合格者也可選擇「特定活動（EPA 護士）」在留資格。此外，擁有「永住者」、「定住者」或「日本人配偶」身份者，可直接從事護理工作。

除了成為註冊護士，外國人也可以成為「準護士（准看護師）」。准護士的考試由各都道府縣舉辦，主要有三種途徑：一是在日本修讀准護士學校，入學條件為初中畢業，學制兩年，學費相對低廉，不強制要求 N1 證書，但需具備一定的日語能力；二是持有海外護士資格者申請考試資格，經國家或地方政府認證後參加考試，通常也要求 N1 日語能力；三是 EPA 護士候補者若未通過護士國家考試，可轉考准護士考試。准護士合格後僅能在日本工作四年，但若持有「永住者」、「定住者」等身份，則無此限制。對應簽證同樣為醫療簽證。

此外，日本還有「看護助手（護理輔助者）」這一非國家資格的職業。雖無國家認證，但外國人仍可透過多種途徑從事相關工作：擁有長期在留資格如「永住者」、「日本人配偶」、「定住者」者可無限制就業；留學生可在取得資格外活動許可後，每週工作不超過 28 小時，多為醫院或養老院的兼職輔助工作；技能實習生則可以「介護」類別來日實習，但需要接受日語培訓，手續較複雜，對接收單位要求較高；最後，具日語基礎者可通過「特定技能（介護）」途徑，通過特定技能評價考試與日語考試取得簽證，最長可在日本工作五年，但不允許攜帶家屬。

總體而言，這一系列政策與措施顯示，日本正積極利用外國護理人力緩解老齡化壓力，並通過縣政府宣導、制度設計與簽證安排，嘗試讓社會更好地接受外國護工的角色。隨著人口老齡化問題持續加劇，外國護理人才將在日本醫療與長期照護體系中扮演越來越重要的角色。

This news and related developments highlight the severe aging problem in Japan, particularly the acute shortage of nursing and caregiving personnel. Estimates indicate that Japan will face a shortfall of approximately 570,000 caregivers in the near future, creating a pressing challenge for hospitals, nursing homes, and home care services. To address this issue, the Japanese government and local prefectures are actively exploring ways to bring in foreign nursing staff, with Indian caregivers recently becoming a focus. Some local governments have even organized seminars to inform the public about foreign caregivers’ qualifications and roles, aiming to increase societal acceptance and understanding.

For foreigners wishing to become registered nurses (看護師) in Japan, there are three primary pathways. The first pathway is identical to that of Japanese students: applicants must enroll in a nursing school designated by the Japanese Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare and pass the Japanese National Nursing Examination. This route requires a high school diploma and Japanese language proficiency at the N1 level, making the entry threshold relatively high. The second pathway applies to those already holding overseas nursing qualifications: these individuals must complete nursing courses in their home country and obtain a nursing license before coming to Japan. They then apply to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for “examination eligibility recognition,” which, if approved, allows them to take the Japanese National Nursing Examination. Requirements include a total course duration of at least 3,000 hours, an educational environment meeting Japanese standards, and passing the Japanese N1 language exam.

The third pathway is via the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) program, mainly targeting candidates from Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Under this program, foreign nurse candidates come to Japan as EPA nursing candidates, simultaneously undergoing practical training and preparing for the national exam. They may stay in Japan for up to three years, and upon passing the exam, they can work as full-fledged nurses without additional qualification recognition. The corresponding visa is a medical visa, while those who pass under the EPA program can also choose the “Designated Activities (EPA Nurse)” residence status. Additionally, foreigners holding long-term residence status such as permanent resident, long-term resident, or Japanese spouse may directly work as nurses.

Apart from becoming registered nurses, foreigners can also become “assistant nurses” (准看護師). The assistant nurse examination is organized by each prefecture, and there are three main routes to qualify. The first is to study at an assistant nurse school in Japan, which requires only a junior high school diploma. The program lasts two years, tuition is relatively low, and the N1 certificate is not mandatory, although some Japanese proficiency is required. The second route is for those with foreign nurse qualifications to apply for examination eligibility, which, once approved by national or local authorities, allows them to take the exam—N1-level Japanese proficiency is typically required. The third route is for EPA nurse candidates who fail the national nurse exam; they can take the assistant nurse exam instead. After qualifying as an assistant nurse, foreigners can work in Japan for up to four years. However, those with permanent residency or long-term resident status are not subject to this limitation. The corresponding visa remains the medical visa.

In addition, there is the role of “care worker assistant” (看護補助者), which is not a nationally certified profession in Japan. Nevertheless, foreigners can work in this role through several pathways. Those with long-term residence status—such as permanent resident, Japanese spouse, or long-term resident—may work without restrictions. International students can work part-time, up to 28 hours per week, in hospitals or nursing homes after obtaining permission for activities outside their visa status. Technical intern trainees can come to Japan under the “caregiving” category for practical training, but this requires Japanese language training and involves complex procedures, with strict requirements on the receiving institutions. Lastly, those with a basic grasp of Japanese can pursue the “Specified Skills (Caregiving)” route. By passing the Specified Skills Assessment Exam and the Japanese language exam, they can obtain a visa to work for up to five years in Japan, though they cannot bring family members.

Overall, these policies and initiatives demonstrate that Japan is actively leveraging foreign nursing personnel to mitigate the pressures of an aging population. Through public education campaigns, structured certification pathways, and visa arrangements, the government aims to facilitate societal acceptance of foreign caregivers. As Japan’s population continues to age, foreign nursing talent is expected to play an increasingly critical role in the country’s healthcare and long-term care systems.