Japan is home to one of the world’s fastest-aging populations, with a total population of approximately 12.3 crore as of 2025. By 2030, more than a third of its citizens—over 4.1 crore people—are expected to be over 65 years old in which 99,763 are above 100 years old as of 1st of September 2025. [ Euro News )

This demographic shift has created a pressing shortage of skilled caregivers capable of providing professional elderly care across hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and assisted living facilities. Recognizing this urgent demand, the Japanese government implemented the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa in April 2019.

The SSW1 visa allows foreign workers to engage in sector-specific skilled labor without prior Japanese experience. Applicants must pass Japanese language proficiency JLPT/JFT – N4 and pass a Nursing Care Skill Test Exam. For Nepalese candidates, this visa offers a legal, secure, and high-paying pathway to work in Japan’s caregiving sector, offering both financial stability and international exposure.

Nepal-Japan Collaboration in Nursing Care

The partnership between Nepal and Japan in caregiver deployment is rooted in mutual benefit. In March 2019, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to facilitate the structured deployment of Nepali workers to Japan under the SSW1 visa. The agreement laid the foundation for bilateral labor cooperation, ensuring that Japanese employers could access trained professionals while Nepali citizens received legitimate overseas employment opportunities.

Officials from both governments, including Nepal’s Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Security and Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, attended the signing ceremony. This formalized framework has since enabled the development of structured recruitment, training, and deployment programs, making the transition smoother for Nepali caregivers entering the Japanese workforce.

The Growing Presence of Nepali Caregivers in Japan

Nepali caregivers have increasingly become integral to Japan’s nursing care ecosystem. As of 2021, approximately 813 Nepali workers were employed in Japan under the SSW1 visa. Recent initiatives by Japanese private healthcare providers aim to recruit 20,000 additional Nepali caregivers by 2025, reflecting the growing reliance on Nepal’s workforce in this sector.

Nepali caregivers are highly valued due to their dedication, reliability, and adaptability. Their cultural values, including respect for elders and family-oriented care, align closely with Japan’s caregiving philosophy. Furthermore, Caregiver Academia provides structured training as (Nursing Care Training and Language Class from N5, N4 to N3) under programs like SSW1 Visa to ensure that all Nepali candidates meet Japan’s high standards of language proficiency, caregiving skills, and workplace code and conduct.

Caregiver Academia: Bridging Nepal and Japan

Caregiver Academia, located in Bijuli Bazar, Chabahil, New Buspark Branch, Kathmandu, has emerged as Nepal’s No. 1 ISO 9001:2015 certified caregiver training institute. The institute provides end-to-end services for candidates aspiring to work in Japan’s nursing care sector, encompassing language training, practical skills development, certification, and job placement support. Also Caregiver Academia provides study in Japan program through it’s sister company Next EduPath – Educational Consultancy for Japan, which is also certified from the MoE.

1. Japanese Language Training

Language proficiency is a critical requirement under the SSW1 visa program. Caregiver Academia offers comprehensive training in Japanese, including:

• JLPT or JFT Test Preparation for N5, N4 & N3.
• Speaking, listening, and vocabulary skills for workplace communication
• Mock interviews and practical conversation exercises with Japanese employers

This training ensures that candidates are well-prepared for both exams and professional interactions in Japan.

2. Nursing Care (Kaigo) Training

Caregiver Academia’s curriculum equips candidates with practical, hands-on skills necessary for the Japanese caregiving sector. Training modules include:

• Personal care techniques: bathing, dressing, feeding, and hygiene maintenance
• Mobility assistance: wheelchairs, walkers, light physical therapy and more
• Infection prevention, emergency response etc
• Cultural and workplace etiquette specific to Japan
• Skills evaluation preparation for the Prometric Nursing Care Skills Test (SSW-i)

Candidates undergo minimum six months of supervised practical training in hospitals, old age homes, and caregiving facilities in Nepal, ensuring they gain experience before deploying to Japan.

3. Placement and Recruitment Support

A key differentiator of Caregiver Academia is it works with it’s sister company a verified Japanese Recruitment Manpower Agency under SSW guidelines. The institute provides:

• Mock interviews and coaching for employer expectations
• Assistance with documentation, application, and contract verification
• Coordination with licensed manpower agencies for visa processing

This comprehensive placement support ensures candidates have a smooth transition from training to professional employment.

4. Pre-Departure and On-Arrival Support

To ease the adjustment process, Caregiver Academia provides:

• Orientation on Japanese culture, labor laws, and workplace rights
• Emergency helplines and guidance for cultural adaptation in Japan

Such support ensures that candidates are prepared not only professionally but also socially and culturally, minimizing the challenges of relocation.

5. Exam and Visa Assistance

Candidates receive end-to-end guidance for:

• Japanese language examinations (JFT / JLPT N4)
• Prometric Nursing Care Skills Evaluation
• SSW1 visa application, including Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) coordination

Through this structured approach, Caregiver Academia guarantees that candidates are placement-ready with internationally recognized credentials.

Why Nepali Caregivers Excel in Japan

Nepali caregivers stand out in Japan due to several factors:

• Work Ethic: Dedication, punctuality, and reliability are highly valued in caregiving roles.
• Cultural Alignment: Respect for elders and empathy align with Japanese caregiving norms.
• Adaptability: Nepali candidates quickly acclimatize to Japanese workplace standards and techniques.
• Structured Training: Comprehensive preparation in language, caregiving skills, and cultural etiquette ensures high competence.

The Professional Edge with Caregiver Academia

Caregiver Academia not only prepares candidates for the technical and language aspects of their roles but also emphasizes ethical, legal, and transparent employment practices. The institute offers DoFE-approved programs, transparent cost structures, and post-arrival support in Japan, ensuring that every Nepali caregiver integrates seamlessly into Japan’s professional caregiving ecosystem.

By bridging the gap between Nepal and Japan, Caregiver Academia has enabled Nepali caregivers to transform from aspirants into professionals contributing meaningfully to one of the world’s most respected healthcare systems. Their graduates demonstrate high pass rates in exams, successful visa acquisition, and ongoing career growth, reinforcing Nepal’s reputation as a reliable source of skilled caregivers.

The SSW1 visa program has revolutionized opportunities for Nepali workers in the nursing care sector, opening doors to secure, high-paying, and internationally recognized careers. Caregiver Academia stands at the forefront of this movement, offering holistic training, certification of CTEVT, Nepal & CPD Level 2 from the UK, and placement services that prepare candidates for success in Japan. With strong work ethics, cultural compatibility, and professional preparation, Nepali caregivers are not only meeting Japan’s growing demand for elderly care but are also setting new standards of excellence abroad.

Nepalese youth now have a tangible, professional pathway to thrive in the global workforce—turning their skills, dedication, and compassion into a meaningful international career.

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