This paper clarifies the relevance of vocational education to career education and higher education. Firstly, in Japan, vocational education as a fixed factor comprises three different systems: a broader, Japanese-style vocational education; a narrower system with specific training for each occupation; and a mixed type of system. Secondly, in regard to the relationship with career education, vocational education is positioned as the complete stage of general career education and as special career education which aim to train knowledge, skills and values for the specific vocational preparation. Thirdly, recently vocational education has developed from secondary to post-secondary and short-cycle non-university and moreover to university or to a different option to general university. In conclusion, vocational education or training, whether of a b roader or narrower type, aims to develop students’ human competencies through specific training for each occupation or industry.

【Objective】To investigate the relationship between body mass index （BMI） and the degree of improvement in activities of daily living （ADL）, and to determine the predictors of prognosis in patients admitted to integrated community care wards.【Methods】We performed a single-center retrospective cohort study of 314 patients, aged 65 years and older, admitted to integrated community care wards. Patient information was examined retrospectively from the medical records. Patients were placed into two groups based on BMI at admission, and statistical analysis was performed.【Result】The low BMI group showed a significant difference in functional independence measure （FIM） scores at admission, discharge and gain than did the non-low BMI group. In multiple regression analysis, BMI at admission was independently associated with FIM gain.【Conclusion】The low BMI group had lower FIM scores at admission, discharge and gain than those in the non-low BMI group, and BMI at admission was independently associated with FIM gain. Therefore, BMI as an indicator of nutritional status should be considered in the physical rehabilitation process in integrated community care wards.

This paper attempts to clarify the asymmetry of intersubjective understanding in humanities of “interface with child” by KUJIRAOKA Takashi. Kujiraoka calls a particular emotional relationship between two persons “Setsu-men” （interface）, the space in which they can understand each other. It is the key for Kujiraoka’s humanities of “interface with child” to understand intersubjectively between two persons. Sticking out the “tongue of emotion” is a metaphorical phrase expressing this particular intersubjective understanding between two people. However, in the relationship between a child and a child caregiver, it is emphasized and essential only for the latter to stick out his/her “tongue of emotion” toward the child. Kujiraoka does not refer to another aspect of intersubjective understanding: a child who is sticking out his/her “tongue of emotion” toward the child caregiver. There is asymmetry of understanding others or of the relationship between child and child caregivers: intersubjective understanding between the two is not intersubjective. After all, it is a huge mistake to think that we can perceive others’ emotions naturally and correctly by “tongue of emotion.”

It is necessary to analyze the work of long-term care staff and differentiate their functions according to their careers and specialties.

In this research, we focused on “life support technology” and created a qualification unit framework（draft）（hereinafter referred to as RQF） for long-term care and welfare professionals.

RQF was created by dividing from level １ to level 8.

As a result, it became clear that there was almost no difference in the educational content in the referenced materials, and that the educational content was not changed step by step in a consistent manner.