Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s (TESDA) Language Training Center in Taguig City on Thursday to see how Nihongo is being taught to Filipino nurses and caregivers applying for work in Japan.
The Imperial couple arrived at the Language Skills Institute (LSI) and was met by a reception party led by Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz and acting TESDA Director General Irene Isaac.
Their Majesties were supposed to visit TESDA’s Women’s Center but later on wanted to see how Nihongo is taught in TESDA.
The emperor had shown interest in going to LSI after he visited a hospital in Japan in 2012 where he met Filipino nurses who speak Nihongo fluently.
Aside from touring the TESDA facility, Their Majesties also observed a Nihongo class and had an interaction with students. They asked the students why they want to go to Japan and also mentioned how cold it is in Japan.
The Nihongo language training in TESDA was organized through the Japan Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), which aims to train Filipino nurses and caregivers who wants to go to Japan.
According to Atty. Teodoro Pascua, TESDA’s technical skills education and development operations deputy director general, the Department of Labor and Employment and TESDA provided the facility and the Japan Foundation gave the pool of instructors to the LSI.
Under JPEPA, applicants for health care jobs in Japan must undergo language training six months prior to their departure. Once they pass the qualifying examination in Japan, they have to undergo another six-month training in Japan. PND (as)
