We held an international symposium titled "Challenges in Sending Caregiving Personnel and Support for Foreign Residents - Learning from the Experiences of the Philippines and Indonesia."

An international symposium was held on Saturday, March 5, 2016, at Rikkyo University's Ikebukuro Campus. Approximately 90 people, including participants from overseas, listened attentively to presentations on the challenges faced by foreign caregivers in the Japanese caregiving field.
In the first part of the symposium, Ivy Miravalles, who works for a Philippine government agency, and Sulistyowati Irianto, a university professor in Indonesia who studies migrant women, were invited as speakers to talk from their perspectives on sending nurses and caregivers to Japan. They reported on the current situation in which the number of nurses and caregivers being sent to other countries is increasing due to the global aging population. They pointed out that in Japan, language and racial barriers are still significant, and even if these professionals have sufficient knowledge and skills, they are unable to fully utilize them in the field. They emphasized the importance of both countries confronting these challenges and continuing to work together to create better systems and workplaces. A lively discussion ensued during the Q&A session with the participants.
In the second part, APFS (ASIAN PEOPLE'S FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY, a specified non-profit organization) presented its annual business report and held a panel discussion. In the panel discussion, panelists who are active on the front lines in their respective research fields discussed what role foreigners living in Japan can play in bridging the gap between newly arriving foreign caregivers and Japanese caregivers, and what efforts are necessary for Japanese nursing and care professionals. Based on this, they pointed out areas where the Japanese side, including those on the ground, should respond flexibly and make improvements.
Following the symposium, a social gathering was held at Rikkyo University's First Cafeteria.
Approximately 30 people participated, and interaction between researchers and participants also took place.
This symposium was made possible with the support of the Social Welfare Promotion Grant Program of the Japan Welfare and Medical Service Agency.
I would like to express my gratitude once again.
<Event Overview>
●Date and time: Saturday, March 5, 2016, 14:00-17:15
● Venue: Room 8101, Building 8, Rikkyo University Ikebukuro Campus
●Contents
[Part 1] Challenges in Sending Caregiving Personnel to the Philippines: Lessons Learned from Experiences in the Philippines and Indonesia
14:00-14:10 Opening remarks
Tetsuo Mizukami (Professor, Faculty of Sociology, Rikkyo University)
14:10-14:40 Challenges in sending care workers from the Philippines to Japan
Mr. Ivy Miravalles (Director, Commission on Filipino Overseas)
14:40-15:10 Challenges in sending care workers from Indonesia to Japan
Professor Irianto Sulistyowati (University of Indonesia)
15:10-15:30 Q&A
[Part 2] What role should foreign residents play in accepting caregiving personnel?
15:40-16:00 Comprehensive support project for the independence of foreign residents: Project report
Katsuo Yoshinari (Director and Advisor, ASIAN PEOPLE'S FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY, a specified non-profit organization)
16:00-17:05 Panel Discussion
Panelists
Fumiji Inoue (Principal of I-Helper School (now Yoko Care College))
Chizuko Kawamura (Professor, Faculty of Environmental Creation, Daito Bunka University)
Natsuko Minamino (Full-time Lecturer, Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Showa Women's University)
Yoshiaki Noro (Professor, Faculty of Sociology, Rikkyo University)
coordinator
Tetsuo Mizukami
commentator
Mr. Ivy Miravalles and Mr. Sulistyowati Irianto
17:05-17:15 Summary and closing remarks
Jotaro Kato (Representative Director, ASIAN PEOPLE'S FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY, a specified non-profit organization)
Organizer: ASIAN PEOPLE'S FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY (APFS), a specified non-profit organization.
Co-sponsored by the specified non-profit organization ASIAN COMMUNITY TAKASHIMADAIRA (Takashimadaira ACT)
Sponsored by Rikkyo University Institute for Global Urban Studies and Rikkyo University Institute for Peace and Community Studies
Grant provided by the Japan Welfare and Medical Service Agency, Social Welfare Promotion Grant Program.
Supported by Toshima Ward, Japan Association of Certified Social Workers, and Tokyo Metropolitan Council of Social Welfare