Japan nursing and elderly care labor shortages

Japan is implementing various educational and regional initiatives to address critical labor shortages in the nursing and elderly care sectors. To combat the trend of nursing graduates migrating to urban centers, the Public University of Hakodate plans to establish a new faculty of nursing by the 2030 academic year. This aligns with a national strategy by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to implement “regional quotas” at 41 universities starting in fiscal 2027, offering subsidies to students who commit to working in their local prefectures.

On a regional level, local governments are hosting recruitment events to bridge the gap between job openings and applicants. In Miyazaki Prefecture, job fairs have been organized to connect job seekers with nursing homes and disability support facilities. Meanwhile, Fukuoka Prefecture is promoting employment through events like ‘Fukuoka Care Festa 2026’, which showcases technological solutions to labor strain, including advanced care robots, AI smart glasses, and power-assist suits.