Studying Nursing in Japan: Are Career Opportunities Attractive?

Japan is facing an aging population, leading to a great demand for human resources in the nursing industry. This opens up many opportunities for Vietnamese international students with attractive salaries, support policies and long-term career prospects. So what? Nursing study in Japan Is it really a worthy option? Let's find out in detail in this article!

Overview of nursing industry in Japan

Japan is currently facing the world's most rapidly aging population, with more than 29% of its population over the age of 65. This is a major social challenge that is putting heavy pressure on the country's healthcare system. The demand for medical and nursing care is increasing, while domestic human resources are not enough to meet the demand. According to the latest data from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, by 2025, the country will have an alarming shortage of about 380.000 nurses.

In that context, studying nursing in Japan is becoming a trend that many international students, especially Vietnamese students, are interested in. Since 2017, the Japanese government has taken strategic steps to open the door to foreign workers in the nursing field through many programs such as EPA (Economic Partnership Agreement) and the specific technical internship program.

The nursing industry in Japan is organized in a professional and scientific manner. Nurses in Japan are not only caregivers but also play an important role in making medical decisions, coordinating with doctors in treatment and monitoring the health status of patients. They are well-trained in expertise, communication and behavioral skills, as well as proficient in the use of modern medical equipment.

Conditions for studying nursing in Japan

To pursue a nursing study abroad program in Japan, students need to meet certain conditions regarding education, language, finance and necessary documents.

• Academic level: High school graduate or higher.
• True love story: Minimum N4 or higher. If you want to have better job opportunities after graduation, you should achieve N2 level.
• Good health: Not suffering from infectious diseases or serious illnesses.
• Financial capability: Ensure sufficient ability to cover study abroad expenses during the study period.
• Eligibility for residency: No criminal record, eligible for Japanese student visa.

One important thing to note is that Japanese nursing study abroad programs often have a fairly strict admission process. In addition to reviewing applications, many schools also organize in-person or online interviews to assess candidates’ communication skills, thinking skills, and suitability for the nursing profession.

Cost of studying nursing in Japan

The cost of studying nursing in Japan depends on the school, training program and living area. Below are the basic expenses that international students need to prepare:

• Tuition: 600,000 – 1,500,000 yen/year depending on school.
• Admission fee: 50,000 – 200,000 yen (paid once upon admission).
• Dormitory or rent: 20,000 – 70,000 yen/month.
• Cost of living: 40,000 – 100,000 yen/month.
• Health Insurance: About 20,000 yen/year.
• Estimated total cost: 1,000,000 – 2,500,000 yen/year.

Nursing Study Abroad Scholarship in Japan

To reduce the financial burden of studying nursing in Japan, students can search and apply for various scholarship programs from many different sources. Below is detailed information about popular scholarships.

MEXT Scholarship

The Japanese Government Scholarship (MEXT) is one of the most prestigious and comprehensive scholarships. This scholarship includes full tuition exemption, round-trip airfare, and a monthly allowance of 143,000 to 144,000 yen depending on the region of residence. The recipients of the MEXT scholarship are mainly excellent students with good academic performance and high Japanese language proficiency. The application period is usually in April-May every year through the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam.

JASSO Scholarship

The JASSO (Japan Student Services Organization) scholarship is another popular option for international students. This scholarship provides a monthly allowance of 48,000 to 80,000 yen, depending on the region of residence. The scholarship is usually for 1 year and can be renewed based on academic performance. To receive a JASSO scholarship, students need to have a good GPA (usually 2.3/3.0 or higher) and a Japanese language certificate of N2 or higher.

Scholarships from universities

Many Japanese universities also offer scholarships specifically for international students, especially those studying nursing. For example, Osaka University offers a 50% tuition waiver scholarship for international students with excellent academic records. Tokyo Medical University even offers full scholarships to a limited number of outstanding nursing students. These scholarships usually require students to maintain good academic performance throughout the scholarship period.

Nursing Salary Review in Japan

One of the most attractive factors of studying nursing in Japan is the job prospects and competitive salaries in this industry. Information on specific salaries will help students have a realistic view of career opportunities after graduation.

The salary of nurses in Japan depends largely on work experience. For newly graduated nurses, the starting salary ranges from 220,000 to 250,000 yen/month (about 41-47 million VND). After 3-5 years of experience, the salary can increase to 280,000 - 350,000 yen/month (about 52-65 million VND). Nurses with a lot of experience (10 years or more) or holding the position of head nurse can receive a salary of 400,000 to 500,000 yen/month (about 75-93 million VND).

Benefits are an important part of the total income of nurses in Japan. Most hospitals and medical facilities provide full health and social insurance for their employees. Many places also have housing subsidies, especially hospitals in rural areas, to attract workers. Nurses in Japan also receive bonuses twice a year (usually in summer and winter), with each bonus usually equal to 2-2 months' salary. They also enjoy paid leave and have clear opportunities for career advancement.

Top 5 Nursing Schools in Japan

Choosing the right school is an important factor in determining the quality of training and job opportunities after graduation. Below is detailed information about the top 5 nursing schools in Japan.

Asahikawa University of Medicine

Located in Hokkaido, one of the top medical schools in Japan, Asahikawa Medical University is famous for its high-quality nursing training program. As a public school, Asahikawa has affordable tuition fees, around 100 - 120 million/year. The school's strengths are modern facilities, equipped with advanced medical equipment for students to practice. The low teacher/student ratio (1:8) ensures that each student receives personal guidance from the lecturer. The school has a high national nursing exam pass rate of up to 98%. However, the entrance requirements are quite high with a JLPT N2 certificate or higher and a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0.

• Address: 1-1-1 Midorigaoka Higashi 2 Jo, Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Prefecture 078-8510
• Phone: +81 166-48-3121
• Website: https://www.asahikawa-u.ac.jp/

Osaka University

Osaka University is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Japan, with the Nursing Department of the School of Medicine highly regarded worldwide. As a public university, tuition is about 120 million/year, quite reasonable compared to the quality of training. The school has advanced laboratories and simulation rooms, helping students study in the most realistic environment. Students have the opportunity to intern at leading hospitals in Japan and participate in the most modern medical research programs.

• Address: 1-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
• Phone number: +81 6-6877-5111
• Website: https://www.osaka-u.ac.jp/en

Okayama University

Okayama University has a nursing program ranked in the top 5 in Japan, with many incentives for international students. Tuition fees for studying nursing at Okayama University are usually around 135 - 150 million/year. The school is famous for many scholarships specifically for nursing students, including scholarships that waive 30-100% of tuition fees for students with excellent achievements. The practical program at Okayama is very rich, with internships at Okayama University Hospital - one of the leading research hospitals in Japan. 

• Address: 1 Chome-1-1 Tsushima Naka, Kita Ward, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan
• Website: okayama-u.ac.jp

University of Tsukuba

Tsukuba University, located in Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture, is one of Japan's leading universities with a history of over 150 years. The school is known for its excellent education quality and modern research environment. Internships at prestigious medical facilities help students at Tsukuba University hone their expertise and gain necessary experience.

• Address: Chome-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
• Website: https://www.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/

Heisei Medical College

Heisei Medical College was established by the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare. The tuition fee of Heisei Medical College is around 128 million/year, with a practical, high-quality teaching program. Students here have internships at large hospitals and health care centers, helping them gain experience while still in school.

• Address: 7 Chome-7-18 Toyosaki, Kita ward, Osaka, 531-0072, Japan
• Phone number: +81 6-6375-7773
• Website: http://www.heisei-iryo-gakuen.jp/jp/vi/

Studying nursing in Japan offers many attractive opportunities, from studying in an advanced educational environment to stable career opportunities with high salaries. However, to be successful, you need to be well prepared in terms of finance, language and professional skills. If you have a clear plan and determination, nursing in Japan will be a promising direction for your future.

If you are going to be a nursing student in Japan and are looking for a reliable telecommunication service provider, T-connect is the ideal choice for you. Our 100% Vietnamese team is always ready to support you with many attractive promotions, including free shipping on all orders throughout Japan.

T-connect is committed to providing effective telecommunication solutions, helping you easily connect with family and friends back home during your studies and practice. We offer a variety of flexible services, from mobile packages to fixed-line internet, to suit the needs of each international nursing student. Come to T-connect to experience professional and high-class services, helping you always feel close and confident during your study journey in Japan!