[Education and training for nursing students and other health professionals on communication with individuals with limited Japanese proficiency in health settings].

Objectives　The growing number of foreign residents in Japan has increased linguistic and cultural diversity. Communication with individuals with limited Japanese proficiency has become an essential skill for health professionals; however, systematic educational approaches remain insufficient. This report aims to summarize the educational and training activities conducted by the authors and inform future evaluations and dissemination.Methods　Existing documents were reviewed to identify the advantages and challenges of communication methods for individuals with limited Japanese proficiency in health settings. Experiences from lectures and exercises on Plain Japanese (Yasashii Nihongo) were summarized by setting. A newly introduced practicum, the Multicultural Health Support Practicum, was described.Results　Six communication approaches were identified to support individuals with limited Japanese proficiency; medical interpretation, automatic translation, ad hoc interpretation by family members or others, translated documents, English language, and Yasashii Nihongo. Key challenges include the limited availability of medical interpreters, ethical and confidentiality concerns associated with ad hoc interpretation, and the limited role of English as a common language. Lectures and exercises on Yasashii Nihongo, conducted for 80-90 min, were implemented in multiple settings using public guidelines as teaching materials. After the introductory lecture, the participants rewrote words, short sentences, and longer texts individually or in groups, followed by presentations and peer feedback. Sessions were conducted with varying group sizes and delivered in-person and online. Additionally, a compulsory two-week Multicultural Health Support Practicum, involving hospital visits, roleplay exercises using simulated patients, visits to international centers with special lectures, community placements, and reflection sessions, was established for fourth-year nursing students, with preparatory lectures in the first and fourth years. Its components provide learning opportunities for health support within and outside medical institutions.Conclusion　For communication with individuals with limited Japanese proficiency in health settings, a balanced and appropriate strategy combining Yasashii Nihongo, automatic translation, and translated documents and using medical interpreters if necessary is required. Yasashii Nihongo lectures and exercises suggest that using publicly available materials, such training can be introduced with limited burden and implemented flexibly. Furthermore, the Multicultural Health Support Practicum presents an educational framework that enables stepwise learning through exposure to practices within and outside health settings. Collectively, these initiatives provide insights into educational approaches that will enhance learning in communication and health support skills and improve intercultural society.