MANILA — Filipino caregiver Stella Lelis trained in Japan for three years and speaks basic Japanese.
Like thousands of Filipino nurses and caregivers, the 28-year-old hopes to be among the first batch who will be allowed to care for Japan's seniors.
But notwithstanding the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement that entered into force last week, Lelis and other Filipino caregivers face a tough hurdle: They will have to take licensing exams in Japanese.