Can "India" Become the Next Source of Caregiving Personnel? New Possibilities and Challenges in Human Resource Acquisition and Acceptance Revealed Through On-Site Matching Event Observations: Management Research Report

Overview

This report published by NTT DATA Institute of Management Consulting analyzes the possibilities and challenges of accepting caregiving personnel from India to address Japan's severe shortage of care workers, based on on-site observations. ## Key Points ### 1. Report Overview - **Publisher**: NTT DATA Institute of Management Consulting - **Publication Date**: July 1, 2025 (announced June 30) - **Research Method**: On-site matching event observations in India, visits to related organizations - **Main Theme**: Potential of Indian caregiving personnel and building acceptance systems ### 2. Current State of Japan's Caregiving Personnel Shortage - **FY2023**: Approximately 2.33 million needed (shortage of about 220,000) - **FY2025**: Approximately 2.43 million needed (expected shortage of 320,000-380,000) - **FY2040**: Approximately 2.80 million needed (projected shortage of about 690,000) - **Foreign Caregiving Personnel**: Currently about 40,000-50,000 employed - Specified Skilled Workers: 28,400 (December 2023) - Technical Intern Training: 15,011 - EPA: 11,610 - "Care Work" Residence Status: 8,093 ### 3. Background for Focus on India - **Intergovernmental Agreements**: - 2021: Memorandum of Cooperation on Specified Skilled Workers - 2017: Memorandum of Cooperation on Technical Intern Training - **"Indo-Pacific Health Strategy"**: Strengthening cooperation in health, medical, and caregiving fields - **Quality of Personnel**: Targeting nursing college and vocational school graduates - **Pro-Japanese Environment**: Influence of anime culture, high evaluation of Japan's safety ### 4. Details of On-Site Matching Events - **Organizer**: NSDCI (National Skill Development Corporation International Division) - **Location**: NSDCI Training Center in Delhi - **Visited Sites**: - NSDCI Headquarters - Embassy of Japan in India - Universities and nursing schools in Manipur State - **Participants**: Japanese care facilities, staffing companies, Indian educational institutions ### 5. Training Program Content - **Basic Education Period**: 9 months (full boarding Japanese language training center) - **Additional Training After Job Offer**: 3 months (advanced Japanese language acquisition) - **Qualification Requirements**: - Japanese Language Proficiency Test N4 level - Pass caregiving skills evaluation test - **Training Content**: Japanese language, caregiving techniques, Japanese culture and customs ### 6. Characteristics and Strengths of Indian Personnel - **Language Acquisition Ability**: High adaptability from multilingual environment - **Education Level**: Professional expertise from nursing education - **Cultural Affinity**: Values that emphasize family importance - **Career Consciousness**: High motivation and learning desire - **Young Population**: Abundant talent pool ### 7. Need for Cultural and Religious Considerations - **Hindus (80% of population)**: - Beef is religiously taboo - Many vegetarians - Alcohol is one of the five major sins - **Muslims (approximately 160 million)**: - Pork and alcohol taboo - Five daily prayers (3 PM and 6 PM during work hours) - Consideration for Friday congregational prayers - **Required Accommodations**: - Prayer room setup - Dietary menu considerations - Understanding of religious holidays ### 8. Challenges and Countermeasures for Receiving Side - **Workplace Environment Preparation**: - Creating multicultural workplaces - Cross-cultural understanding training for Japanese staff - Introduction of mentor systems - **Communication Support**: - Multilingual support for technical terms - Daily conversation support system - Cooperation with hometown communities - **Living Support**: - Securing housing and living environment setup - Shopping and medical facility usage support - Bridge to local communities ### 9. Success Factors and Recommended Measures - **Long-term Perspective**: - Developing as partners, not just labor - Clarification of career paths - Support for certified care worker qualification - **Organizational Support**: - Management commitment - Systematization of acceptance structure - Continuous improvement system - **Regional Cooperation**: - Building cooperative relationships with local governments - Promoting understanding among local residents - Formation of support networks ### 10. Key Points for Improving Retention Rates - **Motivation**: Providing value beyond "just for money" - **Growth Opportunities**: Clear paths for skill development and promotion - **Sense of Belonging**: Feeling like a team member - **Cultural Respect**: Respecting religious and cultural identity - **Family Support**: Utilizing family invitation system ### 11. Policy Outlook - **Acceptance Target**: Approximately 135,000 foreign care workers from 2025-2030 - **Diversification of Sending Countries**: Making India a new major partner - **System Improvements**: - Enabling work in home care from April 2025 - Considering relaxation of family accompaniment requirements - Flexibility in residence status ### 12. Future Development and Recommendations - **Pilot Projects**: - Creating and sharing success stories - Establishing best practices - Early detection and response to challenges - **Support System Construction**: - Guidelines for receiving facilities - Establishment of consultation desks - Information sharing platforms - **Sustainability**: - Building win-win relationships - Circular human resource development model - Contributing to development of both countries This report shows that while India has great potential as a new option for solving Japan's caregiving personnel shortage, success requires deep understanding of culture and religion and the construction of comprehensive acceptance systems. Rather than simply addressing labor shortages, a strategic approach is needed that leads to the realization of a multicultural society and improvement in the quality of care.