Y. K. (asker) Mar 16, 2015:

Thank you for your informative discussion, mmb42 and Port City. It was very helpful.

Marc Brunet Mar 16, 2015:

Thanks for your try, David, but Port City's link points to the opposite:
- Level 2 requires 130 course hrs (now the entry level, since Level3 is no longer offered but required only 50 course hrs, qualifying the diplomate for 'helping work' only, i.e. no direct relief support to patient)
- Level 1 requires 230 course hrs.
Read the link. Very informative... Cheers and thanks.

Port City Mar 16, 2015:

Please see the table in the following wiki page on 訪問介護員.
http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/訪問介護員

Marc Brunet Mar 16, 2015:

Discussing the proper syntax for Level 2/ the 2nd level, etc... is fine, but would the specialists of this field confirm :
Q1: which is the entry level ? : Level 2 or Level 1?
From Port City's comment, it looks like it's Level 2. Now, do I read it correctly? and does everyone agree?
Q2: Is this the general grading rule in Japan, or is this level ranking likely to vary from field to field?
Grateful for your views, dear colleagues :-)