Implementation Guidelines for the 2026 Medical Interpreter Training Program

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• Purpose and Objectives of the Project

There are 71,492 foreign residents living in Mie Prefecture. This figure increased by 4,601 people, or 6.9%, compared with the previous year, setting a new record high for the fourth consecutive year since 2022, according to data from Mie Prefecture as of December 31, 2025.

In addition, foreign residents account for 4.14% of the prefecture’s total population, the fourth-highest proportion among all prefectures in Japan, according to data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Sōmushō / 総務省, as of January 1, 2025.

Looking at the number of foreign residents in Mie Prefecture by nationality and region, Vietnamese residents total 15,254 people, representing 21.3% of the foreign population.

In particular, a large proportion of the Vietnamese population consists of young people of child-rearing age. As a result, demand for medical interpretation has increased in fields commonly used by younger patients, including obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and orthopedics.

Against this background, it is necessary to train people who can provide support regarding language barriers and differences in medical culture, thereby facilitating communication between foreign patients and healthcare institutions. This will allow foreign patients who do not have sufficient Japanese-language proficiency to receive medical care with peace of mind, while enabling healthcare institutions to provide consultations, treatment, and other services appropriately.

This training program aims to develop medical interpreters who have acquired knowledge of illnesses, injuries, and other conditions commonly seen among foreign residents in the prefecture, as well as interpreting techniques and professional ethics.

• Eligibility

Applicants must meet all of the following conditions:

(1) Have advanced conversational proficiency in Vietnamese.

(2) Be able to attend all four sessions.

(3) Be able to work as a medical interpreter within Mie Prefecture.

• Number of Participants Approximately 10 people

* Approximately the 10 applicants with the highest scores on the selection examination will be accepted.

• Venue

UST Tsu, 700 Hadokoro-cho, Tsu City

• Participation Fee

Free of charge

• How to Apply

Apply through the website of the Mie International Exchange Foundation, MIEF / Mie-ken Kokusai Kōryū Zaidan / 公益財団法人三重県国際交流財団, using Google Forms on a computer or smartphone, by Monday, August 17, 2026.

• Selection Examination

The selection examination will be held for all applicants on Saturday, August 22, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

For applicants who are unable to take the examination on Saturday, August 22, an alternative examination will be held on Monday, August 24, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

All applicants who take the selection examination will be notified by email of whether they have been accepted into the training program by Tuesday, September 1.

• Training Content and Instructors, Fiscal Year 2026

	Training Content / Instructor	Venue
Session 1 September 12, Sat. 10:00 a.m.-4:15 p.m. 5 hours	10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. “Ethics and Self-Management in Medical Interpretation” “Interpreting Techniques, Interpreting Practice, and Training Methods” Medical Support Section, Department of Medical and Pathological Management, Mie University, Mie Daigaku Igaku/Byōri Kanri-bu Iryō Shien-ka / 三重大学医学・病理管理部医療支援課 Medical interpreters: Maria Arauco, Haruna Ōkubo, and Takako Wakimoto	UST Tsu, 3rd floor, Exchange Space 9-11
	1:00 p.m.-1:20 p.m. “Current Situation of Foreign Residents in the Prefecture and Health-Related Initiatives” Diversity and Inclusive Society Promotion Division, Department of Environment and Social Affairs, Mie Prefecture, Mie-ken Kankyō Seikatsu-bu Diversity Shakai Suishin-ka / 三重県環境生活部ダイバーシティ社会推進課 1:25 p.m.-1:40 p.m. “About the Medical Partner System” Mie International Exchange Foundation, Mie-ken Kokusai Kōryū Zaidan / 公益財団法人三重県国際交流財団 1:45 p.m.-2:00 p.m. Participant introductions 2:15 p.m.-4:15 p.m. “How the Human Body Works” Instructor: Organization for the Development of Higher Education and Student Support, Mie University, Mie Daigaku Kyōiku Suishin/Gakusei Shien Kikō / 三重大学教育推進・学生支援機構 Professor: Yasuyoshi Taiki
Session 2 October 3, Sat. 10:00 a.m.-4:15 p.m. 5 hours	10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. “Basic Knowledge of Japan’s Medical System: Injuries and Childbirth” Instructor: Suzuka General Hospital, Suzuka Chūō Sōgō Byōin / 鈴鹿中央総合病院 Medical social worker: Shigeki Yabushita	UST Tsu, 3rd floor, Meeting Room B
	1:00 p.m.-4:15 p.m. Medical interpretation practice: “Review of Technical Terminology” “Simulated Interpretation in a Medical Care Setting,” in Vietnamese Instructor: National Association of Medical Interpreters, Zenkoku Iryō Tsūyakusha Kyōkai / 全国医療通訳者協会 / NAMI, Eri Miura
Session 3 October 24, Sat. 10:00 a.m.-4:15 p.m. 5 hours	10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Basic Medical Knowledge Lecture: “Obstetric and Gynecological Conditions” Instructor: Castle Bell Clinic / キャッスルベルクリニック Physician: Héctor Casanova	UST Tsu, 3rd floor, Meeting Room A
	1:00 p.m.-4:15 p.m. Medical interpretation practice: “Review of Technical Terminology” “Simulated Interpretation in a Medical Care Setting,” in Vietnamese Instructor: National Association of Medical Interpreters, Zenkoku Iryō Tsūyakusha Kyōkai / 全国医療通訳者協会 / NAMI, Eri Miura
Session 4 November 28, Sat. 10:00 a.m.-4:15 p.m. 5 hours	10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Basic Medical Knowledge Lecture: “Internal Medicine Conditions” Instructor: Department of General Medicine, Mie University Hospital, Mie Daigaku Igakubu Fuzoku Byōin Sōgō Shinryō-bu / 三重大学医学部附属病院総合診療部 Professor and department head: Norihiko Yamamoto	UST Tsu, 3rd floor, Meeting Room A
	1:00 p.m.-4:15 p.m. Medical interpretation practice: “Review of Technical Terminology” “Simulated Interpretation in a Medical Care Setting,” in Vietnamese Instructor: National Association of Medical Interpreters, Zenkoku Iryō Tsūyakusha Kyōkai / 全国医療通訳者協会 / NAMI, Eri Miura

• Registration Examination

Saturday, December 12, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. — Written examination and online interview

• Organizer

Mie Prefecture / 三重県

• Project Administration

Mie International Exchange Foundation, Mie-ken Kokusai Kōryū Zaidan / 公益財団法人三重県国際交流財団