Japan holds regional events to address nursing care labor shortages

Regional initiatives are underway in Japan to address critical labor shortages in the nursing care and welfare sectors. In Nobeoka, Miyazaki Prefecture, a job fair was held on October 21 to coincide with ‘Care Day’ on November 11. The event featured 20 organizations, including nursing homes and disability support facilities, providing information on job duties and benefits to job seekers and high school students.

As of August, the job-to-applicant ratio for nursing care workers stood at 2.93, indicating that job openings significantly outnumber available workers. To combat this, Fukuoka Prefecture has announced the ‘Fukuoka Care Festa 2026’ for November 3. This large-scale event aims to deepen understanding of nursing care insurance and promote employment through interactive experiences, such as demonstrations of advanced care robots, AI smart glasses, and power-assist suits designed to reduce physical strain on workers.