Sompo Care Opens Training Facility in India to Address Japan's Caregiver Shortage
In response to Japan's growing need for caregivers, Sompo Care Inc., a subsidiary of Sompo Holdings Inc., has opened a training facility near New Delhi, India. This marks the first time a Japanese nursing care provider has established a training center abroad.
The program, lasting nine months, combines online classes on Japanese caregiving and language techniques with practical training using equipment in a simulated nursing care environment. Additionally, the program covers cultural differences and essential information for living in Japan.
Upon completion, trainees will take a test to obtain a "specified skilled worker" visa, allowing them to work in Japan. They will then be assigned as fully trained staff in Sompo Care's nursing homes and other facilities.
This initiative aims to address the severe labor shortage in Japan's nursing care industry, driven by low wages and other factors. Estimates suggest a need for roughly 2.72 million caregivers by 2040, with a potential shortage of 570,000 workers if the current trend continues.
Sompo Care plans to train and employ over 140 caregivers from the Indian facility by 2026, adding to their existing workforce of around 240 foreign caregivers from Southeast Asia. This initiative could encourage other companies in the industry to explore similar recruitment strategies.