Japan is making it easier for foreign nationals to become certified care workers—a move that could open up more stable job opportunities for those already working in the nursing care field.Starting in fiscal year 2025, the national certification exam for care workers will be split into three parts. This means if someone doesn’t pass the whole test in one go, they won’t have to start over from scratch—they’ll only need to retake the parts they didn’t pass.

Why the Change?

Japan is preparing for a major increase in demand for caregivers by 2040, when the senior population is expected to reach its peak. With a projected shortage of 570,000 care workers, the government is turning to foreign talent to help fill the gap.

However, many foreign workers have found it difficult to pass the current version of the exam, which is only offered once a year and covers 13 wide-ranging subjects, from dementia care to communication skills. Passing requires correctly answering at least 60% of 125 questions, all multiple-choice and computer-scored.

By breaking the test into three smaller sections, the revised system will allow examinees to focus only on areas where they need improvement, instead of starting over completely. This is expected to boost pass rates, especially for test-takers who are working while studying.

What This Means for Foreign Workers

Currently, around 43,000 foreigners work in Japan’s care facilities under “Specified Skilled Worker” or “Technical Intern Trainee” visas. After three years in the industry, they’re eligible to take the certification exam.

If they pass and become certified, several important doors open:

• Long-term residency becomes possible, with no more limits on how many times they can renew their stay.
  
• They can bring their families to Japan.
  
• Their salaries often increase, and they’re seen as highly valuable team members in care facilities.
  

However, the reality is that balancing long work hours and study time can be tough. The exam demands around 250 hours of preparation, and the current pass rate for foreign vocational students is under 40%, compared to the overall pass rate of 80%.

Looking Ahead

The Japanese government hopes this change will help increase the number of foreign certified care workers—currently around 10,000. Discussions are also underway to extend the visa period by one extra year for those who want to take the exam again, giving them more chances to succeed.

Since the certification system was introduced in 1987, care workers have played a key role in supporting Japan’s aging population. There are now 1.94 million certified care workers across the country. But in recent years, interest in the exam has dropped—with only 74,600 people sitting the test in January, which is half the number from ten years ago.