Characteristics and needs of Vietnamese technical intern trainees (care workers) in Japan: A qualitative study

Background Foreign caregivers are assuming increasing importance in Japan due to a significant shortage of caregivers. To secure and train stable human resources, it is important to understand the needs and challenges of foreign caregivers. Objective To identify the needs and challenges of Vietnamese technical interns, the largest group of foreign caregivers in Japan, to facilitate system reforms for foreign caregivers and a more efficient recruitment process. Methods A semi-structured interview survey was conducted with 27 Vietnamese technical interns (caregivers). Interview items included reasons for choosing technical internship in Japan, desired length of stay, and expectations in Japan, as well as career advancement after returning home. Descriptive statistics and k-means clustering were used to analyze the data. Results Survey results showed that all respondents had made their own decision to come to Japan and wanted to pursue caregiver certification; 44% had also considered other countries apart from Japan; most wanted to stay in Japan for as long as possible; 37% wanted to live in Japan permanently. The k-means method revealed three clusters: Japanophile cluster or those who preferred Japan for its landscape, culture, and national character; Word-of-mouth cluster or those influenced by personal referrals; and Intellectual cluster or those influenced by Japan’s economic development and care levels. Conclusions Vietnamese technical interns hoped to study advanced Japanese, become certified care workers, and work in the nursing field after returning to their home country. They also tended to want to stay in Japan for a longer period than that assumed for technical internship programs. Our findings indicate that support for obtaining qualifications, Japanese language skills, and caregiving skills are important to secure stable foreign caregivers. Since each cluster had different backgrounds and reasons, motives, and assumptions for coming to Japan, it is necessary to tailor recruitment, training, and support for each cluster. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. ### Funding Statement Yes ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: This survey was conducted with the approval of the Yokohama City University Ethics Committee (reference number: 2023-18). During the interview survey, the survey outline was explained to the participants who signed the survey consent form. I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are not publicly available because of individual privacy but are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.