Forward-Thinking Hokkaidō Initiative Meeting Eldercare Needs with Global Talent

Nukumori no Ie En is operated by a social welfare corporation called Satsuki-kai, which currently has six foreign staff members. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

Tamang claps as Sam, standing, helps players locate cards in a game of karuta. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

“They work very hard, even though they’re far from home,” notes Miyamoto Teruko. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

Sam recounts the reasons for choosing to work in Hokkaidō. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

A class on providing bathing assistance. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

Itō Yoshiaki, standing at the head of the bath, instructs students on bathing techniques. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

Students practice helping people move from their wheelchairs. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

The Asahikawa Welfare Professional Training College’s main building, with its iconic white tower. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

Hirato Shigeru played an instrumental role in establishing the council to train foreign care workers. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

Kim makes a purchase with a Higashikawa Universal Card. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

Kim video chats with his mother. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

Students write their names using brush and ink during kakizome, the first calligraphy of the New Year. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

Students display their finished works. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

Students from Southeast Asia enjoy the outdoors of Higashikawa. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

Students caring for the elderly ponies that belong to the school’s department of nursing care and social welfare. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

A Japanese language class at the training college. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)

Behind the white tower of the Asahikawa Welfare Professional Training College lie Mount Asahi, right, and other peaks in the Daisetsu Mountains. (© Ōnishi Naruaki)