Examining the Current Situation of Foreign Students Aiming to Become Care Workers and Foreign Care Workers in Japan

This study describes the current situation of foreign students aiming to become certified care workers in Japan. The study evaluates the foreign care workers from several perspectives and discusses the future development of their working environment, including Japanese care workers, and its implications. To fulfill these objectives, the study discusses six aspects：multiple acceptance systems, the passing rate of certified care workers in the national examination, career paths after graduating from training facility schools, evaluation as care workers, the lack of linkage between human resource development and securing human resources, and recent national measures that may affect the working environment of long-term care and welfare. The findings of this study include three notable points. （ⅰ）A certain number of foreigners who came to Japan to become certified care workers have the means to excel as care workers. （ⅱ）However, considering the demand for care workers, it is imperative to take appropriate measures and improve treatment to attract Japanese people to this occupation. （ⅲ）Moreover, the recent national policies have not improved the working environment of long-term care and welfare, regardless of the increase in foreign care and welfare workers.