Care Market Trends: 일본 및 싱가포르 Briefing
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Japan is easing staffing standards in depopulated areas to maintain care services, while Singapore is improving its long-term care system by establishing one-stop integrated access points for seniors.
Japan and Singapore Care Market News Briefing — 2026-06-14
Japan Care & Nursing Market Trends
1. Easing staffing standards to maintain care in depopulated areas
A new system aimed at maintaining care services in depopulated areas is becoming a key issue in the revision of the Long-Term Care Insurance Act currently under deliberation in the Diet. Discussions are underway to ease staffing requirements for providers, while exploring cooperation with municipal governments in cases where services remain difficult to provide. However, concerns regarding a potential decline in service quality have also been raised.
2. 77% of population yet to use non-insurance care services, 61% see future need
According to a survey by the Care Marketing Research Institute under Shogakukan, 77% of the population does not currently use services outside of long-term care insurance, yet 61% expressed a need for them in the future. This suggests significant expansion potential for the non-insurance care service market.
3. Expansion of local cooperation models for care worker support
Several regions in Japan are implementing cooperative projects to improve working conditions for care staff while revitalizing the local economy. A case in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, highlighted a former care worker starting a new business in a local shopping district, demonstrating the potential for local labor circulation models.
4. Increase in the active old-age pension system threshold (April 2026)
Starting April 2026, the Japanese government is raising the threshold for the active old-age pension system to encourage elderly labor participation. This measure reflects the trend of more seniors remaining in the workforce due to rising life expectancy and "healthy life expectancy."
Singapore Care & Nursing Market Trends
1. Establishing a one-stop integrated access point for long-term care
Singapore is implementing a policy to provide seniors in need of long-term care with access to seamless, coordinated services through a "one-stop common touchpoint." This is a measure designed to strengthen coordination among various care service providers.
2. Deepening trend of elderly caring for the elderly
As Singapore's population ages, the phenomenon of seniors caring for other seniors is increasing. This highlights the practical challenges of addressing the shortage of care workers and raises concerns regarding the health and quality of life of the caregivers themselves.
3. TPG enters Singapore and Malaysia elderly health management market
Major U.S. asset management firm TPG has established a senior healthcare subsidiary in Singapore and Malaysia, beginning operations across 16 nursing facilities and medical transportation services such as ambulances. This reflects the interest of global capital in the Southeast Asian elderly care market.
4. Expansion of AIC home care support programs — 2026 subsidy criteria update
Singapore’s Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) is updating subsidy levels for various financial support policies—including the Home Caregiving Grant (HCG), the Interim Disability Assistance Programme for the Elderly (IDAPE), and the Seniors' Mobility and Enabling Fund (SMF)—based on the 2025 Annual Value (AV).
Policy and Market Implications
1. Divergent strategies for resolving labor shortages
Japan is focusing on maintaining existing facilities by easing standards, while Singapore is prioritizing market expansion through the influx of global capital and reinforced public support. Japan’s approach prioritizes short-term sustainability, whereas Singapore’s approach targets long-term market growth.
2. Growing trend of elderly caregivers
The "elderly caring for the elderly" phenomenon observed in Singapore is highly likely to intensify in Japan as well. This suggests that strengthening health and social support for caregivers is a vital task for both nations.
3. Importance of public-private mixed investment models
Singapore’s TPG entry and integrated care platform, along with Japan’s push to expand the non-insurance care service market, reflect both countries’ strategic choices to supplement the limitations of public systems with private capital and market innovation.
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