In Japan, "nurse-related professions" include four types of licenses: registered nurse (General), public health nurse, midwife, and practical nurse. Basic nursing education is a three-year program. Most applicants for nursing attend three-year technical schools, junior colleges, or fouryear universities. The number of universities has increased to 274 in the past two decades, with the reduced number of technical schools and junior colleges. Post-licensure certifications include certified nurse specialists, certified nurses, and training system for nurses to perform specific medical interventions. The requirements for applicants of the post-licensure certifications include: years of clinical experience, graduation from a recognized educational institution, pass of a post-graduation national examination, and the legitimacy to renew certification every five years. The applicant must graduate from a master's program in order to become a certified nurse specialist. Various career paths are available for nurses in their career development. It is necessary for policymakers and nursing educators to develop effective linkages between basic nursing education and post-licensure education in order for students to have an awareness of their career plans from the very beginning of their professional journey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]