With language being one of the biggest barriers to working abroad, the local government of Marikina has launched a free six-month Nihongo training program to help students and fresh graduates get global job opportunities.

The program was launched in partnership with Sakai Town, Japan and Onodera User Run at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina (PLMAR) on Monday, July 14.

Marikina City Mayor Marjorie Ann “Maan” Teodoro invited fresh graduates to join the program. The Onodera User Run (OUR) Blooming Academy learning center in Marikina is now open.

“These learning centers that offer free language training can open better and bigger opportunities for our students,” the mayor said.

Teodoro said offering the free program removes a critical barrier for Filipinos aiming to work in Japan.

“It is significant because it removes a major barrier—accessibility. Language is often the biggest hurdle for Filipinos hoping to work in Japan,” she explained.

“By offering this for free, we are democratizing opportunity. This is also a symbol of our continuing partnership with Sakai Town and Japan, showing how people-to-people cooperation creates real value for communities,” she added.

Teodoro also said that the program is designed not just for general communication, but for real-world industries like caregiving, hotel accommodation, and food service, where language skills are needed to work abroad.

She also noted that the program is intended not just to help job seekers meet Japan’s basic language requirements but to prepare them for long-term integration and success overseas.

“Language is not just a requirement—it’s a gateway to integration, career success, and daily life in Japan,” she said.

The mayor said that by providing early, localized, and free access to Japanese language training, they are removing one of the biggest barriers for the people and empowering them to take the first step with confidence.

“We’ve already seen this work—PLMar has produced educators who are now successfully working and living in Japan through similar initiatives,” she emphasized.

Even after the first batch of enrollees completes the program, Teodoro said they are committed to sustaining it over the long run.

“The city is committed to providing facilities, utilities, and local support to ensure this program’s continuity. We are also working closely with PLMar and the private sector to integrate this into our broader workforce development agenda. Our goal is to make this a permanent pathway, not just a one-time initiative,” she stated.

“What makes this program exciting is that we are expanding beyond educators. This time, we are preparing Marikeños for other key sectors such as hospitality, caregiving, and service, where Marikina has long been a proud source of quality talent—locally and globally,” she continued.

Students were also assured of safe recruitment, as the local government is partnering with a trusted and reputable organization like Onodera User Run Ltd., which provides end-to-end support, from training to job placement and even daily life assistance in Japan.

Teodoro hopes the program will increase the number of skilled and job-ready individuals from Marikina pursuing opportunities in Japan and, more importantly, serve as a model for other local governments across the Philippines.

She thanked their sister city, Sakai, for playing a key role in making the initiative possible.

“We humbly look to this sisterhood in Sakai, not only as a source of inspiration, but also as a possible partner in bringing some of these dreams to life… Let us work on projects that benefit our people—from cultural exchanges to sustainable development,” she said.

Sakai Mayor Masahiro Hashimoto, who was also present at the event, reaffirmed the Japanese city’s commitment to deepening its friendship with Marikina through education and cooperation.

“We will make more efforts in developing and promoting Japanese education [in Marikina],” Hashimoto said.

Also present at the event were PLMAR University President Dr. Franklin E. Ayuson, Mr. Naobumi Yokota of the Embassy of Japan, Mr. Jun Kato of Onodera User Run, and officials from the Institute of Global Business Strategies and JETRO Manila.