Japanese imperial couple visits TESDA, praises Nihongo-speaking Pinoy nurses

Curious after meeting Nihongo-speaking Filipino nurses in a Japan hospital, Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited a government language training facility to see how their language is being taught in the country.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz and acting TESDA Director General Irene Isaac welcomed the imperial couple Thursday at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority's (TESDA) Language Training Center in Taguig City.

The Emperor and Empress were supposed to visit TESDA's Women's Center but later on wanted to see how Nihongo is taught to Filipino nurses and caregivers applying for work in Japan in TESDA Language Skills Institute (LSI).

In 2012, Emperor Akihito met Filipino nurses who speak Nihongo fluently when he visited a hospital in Japan in 2012.

The imperial couple toured the TESDA facility and observed a Nihongo class where they had an interaction with students. They asked also 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 Teodoro Pascua, TESDA operations deputy director general, DOLE 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. —Amita Legaspi/JST, GMA News