Some Filipino health workers turn backs on opportunities in Japan

Filipino caregivers Aira Ignacio (L) and Bernadette Villanueva are interviewed by Kyodo News in Manila on March 29, 2016. In 2011, they were admitted to a program under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement to learn the Japanese language and culture, undergo training in Japanese health facilities and then take the Japanese licensure exam to work as caregivers in Japan. Although they passed the exam in 2015, they decided to return to the Philippines because passing it did not lead to a significant increase in their pay, contrary to their expectations, coupled with personal reasons. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo