The ratification of the Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (Jpepa) last October created employment opportunities for Filipino professionals and skilled Filipino workers in the land of the rising sun. Job opportunities open not only for the health workers such as nurses and caregivers but also for workers in field of engineering and information technology.

Under the said agreement, the Philippines and Japan would have easy access to each other markers thus improving business ties and the entry of more overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Japan. An estimate of 270 Filipino nurses and caregivers were deployed in Japan last May. The aging population of Japan made it necessary for them to deploy foreign workers.

Togo Hiroshi, principal senior representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) in the Philippine said that Filipino engineers, information technology experts and other professionals are welcome to work in Japan especially since the Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (Jpepa) has already taken effect.

Togo added, “Jobs for caregivers and nurses are just the tip of the iceberg.”

He also informed that the government of Japan conveyed this message to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in her recent state visit to their country.

Togo said, “Since many Filipinos seek employment and better opportunities offshore, Jpepa is a win-win solution for both countries.”

However, Filipino workers are advised to learn the Japanese language to increase their chances of employment. Matsuda Norio, another Jica representative to the Philippines said, “For Filipinos to more easily find jobs in Japan, they must study the Japanese language. While most Filipino workers know how to speak English, some Japanese firms prefer applicants who can speak Japanese.”

Matsuda added that undergoing training or course in the Japanese language would give an edge to Filipino applicants because the labor requirements of most Japanese companies are stricter than average.