SUZUKI Ben Archives - THEPHILBIZNEWS

Ambassador of Japan graces opening of Tokyo Before/After photo exhibit

The Philippine Business and News — Tue, 20 May 2025 00:13:00 +0000

On 16 May 2025, Ambassador Kazuya Endo and Madame Akiko Endo attended the opening reception of the TOKYO Before/After, a traveling photography exhibition organized by the Japan Foundation Manila (JFM), with the support of JT International Philippines and the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines. JFM Director SUZUKI Ben, National Commission of Culture and Arts (NCCA) Chairperson Victorino Manalo, University of the Philippines Assistant Professor Szusza Velasco, and other distinguished guests, also graced the opening reception.

Ambassador ENDO delivered an insightful message during the event, expressing his delight to witness varying perspectives from the exhibition’s talents. In his remarks, he exclaimed that “From the cultural to the historical, we follow these artists’ works as they take us to a place where both past and present can converge, inspire, and delight.” He further added that through the exhibition, visitors will discover that “much like a Philippine city, Tokyo is a city that’s as alive and changing as the people that inhabit its charming confines.”

The TOKYO Before/After exhibition, consisting of more than eighty (80) carefully curated photographs, paints a visually striking portrayal of Tokyo’s ever-transforming scene. The collection of images intricately highlights a beautiful and thought-provoking contrast of the city between the 1930s-1940s and the post-2010 period. The said exhibition will run from May 17 until July 31, 2025 at the 3rd Floor of Estancia Mall in Pasig City. Admission to the exhibition is free.

Amb. ENDO graces Japanese Language Training for Filipino Nurses and Certified Careworker Candidates

The Philippine Business and News — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 06:37:00 +0000

On 5 November 2024, an opening ceremony was held to formally begin the Preparatory Japanese Language Training for the 17th Batch of Filipino candidates for nurse and certified careworker under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).

During his remarks, Ambassador ENDO Kazuya conveyed his gratitude to the candidates for selecting Japan as the destination for their future aspirations. He also stated that it would be a considerable honor for Japan to experience firsthand the warm professionalism and support of Filipino healthcare workers.
Also in attendance were Undersecretary for Foreign Employment and Welfare Services Felicitas Q. Bay of the Department of Migrant Workers, National Language Skills Center Administrator Mitzi G. Samson-Endriano of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Director SUZUKI Ben of the Japan Foundation, Manila, President Philip B. Sanvictores of the Nihongo Center Foundation, Inc., and Managing-Director, Board of Directors KATAOKA Yoshikazu of Japan International Corporation of Welfare Services.

The 238 candidates will undertake six months of education on Japanese language, culture, and society prior to their deployment to Japan. The training will be implemented online and onsite by the Japan Foundation, Manila and Nihongo Center Foundation, Inc. For the whole duration of the training, each candidate will receive daily living and internet allowances, and will be lent a tablet computer device.

When the candidates arrive in Japan, they will undergo an additional six months of Japanese language training prior to their respective assignments in hospitals and caregiving facilities. The candidates who eventually pass the Japanese national examination for nurse or certified caregiver can further their employment status in Japan beyond their initial number of years under the EPA program.

Interested applicants may visit the official Department of Migrant Workers website for future announcements regarding the program. https://www.dmw.gov.ph/

JPEPA Candidates successfully completed Japanese Language Training

The Philippine Business and News — Fri, 02 Jun 2023 04:35:51 +0000

The 15th Batch of Nurses and Certified Careworker passed Pre-Departure Training

On 1 June 2023, an online ceremony was held for the completion of the Preparatory Japanese Language Training (PJLT) in the Philippines for the 15th batch of Filipino candidates for nurse and certified careworkers bound for Japan under the Economic Partnership Agreement between Japan and the Philippines (JPEPA).

First Secretary and Labor Attaché KANNO Chihiro from the Embassy of Japan and Undersecretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac from the Department of Migrant Workers delivered their inspiring words for the candidates.

Messages were also shared by Mr. SUZUKI Ben of the Japan Foundation Manila, Mr. Philip B. Sanvictores of the Nihongo Center Foundation Inc., Mr. KATAOKA Yoshikazu of the Japan International Corporation of Welfare Services, Ms. Karen Melody Gonesto Kumazawa representing the candidates, and a compiled video presentation of messages from the lecturers.

The Japan Foundation Manila and the Nihongo Center Foundation Inc. conducted the training online, and onsite for a select few towards the training’s latter duration. All 231 candidates received daily living and internet allowances, and computer tablets were provided on loan.

Upon arrival in Japan, another 6 months of Japanese language training await the candidates prior to the work term in Japanese hospitals and caregiving facilities.

Japanese language training begins for 15th batch of JPEPA nurse, care worker candidates

THEPHILBIZNEWS Express — Sat, 19 Nov 2022 06:01:49 +0000

The 15^th Batch of candidate Filipino nurses and certified careworkers under the Economic Partnership Agreement between Japan and the Philippines (JPEPA) formally commenced their Preparatory Japanese Language Training on 16 November 2022.

To mark the occasion, a virtual opening ceremony was held on the same day. Economic Minister NIHEI Daisuke of the Embassy of Japan graced the ceremony, along with Undersecretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac and Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne M. Caunan of the Department of Migrant Workers. A recorded video message from Secretary Susan V. Ople of the Department of Migrant Workers was also presented. Also in attendance were Mr. SUZUKI Ben of the Japan Foundation, Manila, and Mr. Philip B. Sanvictores of the Nihongo Center Foundation Inc.

The 256 candidates will undergo a 6-month training on Japanese language, culture and society, prior to their deployment to Japan. The training will be implemented online by the Nihongo Center Foundation Inc. and The Japan Foundation, Manila. Daily living and internet allowances, and a tablet computer device are provided to the candidates, for the duration of the training.

Another six (6) months of onsite Japanese language training will be conducted for the candidates after their arrival in Japan, prior to their definite work term in hospitals and caregiving facilities. Once their initial work term is completed and upon passing the Japanese national examination, candidates may apply for further employment in Japan as nurses and certified careworkers.

In the ceremony, Minister NIHEI thanked the candidates for choosing Japan as their future work destination and for taking on the challenge of learning the Japanese language. He added that the program aims to help Filipinos succeed on their new career in the healthcare sector of Japan, further promoting the good bilateral relations between our countries.

For Interested applicants, visit the official Department of Migrant Workers website for announcements regarding the program. https://www.dmw.gov.ph/