Care & Nursing Market Updates: Japan and Singapore
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Singapore has officially become a "Super-Aged Society," prompting a shift toward community-based care and new support models. Meanwhile, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is pushing digital transformation by launching pilot programs for care technology as of May 20, 2026.
Care & Nursing Market Briefing: Japan and Singapore (May 27, 2026)
Japan Care & Nursing Market Trends
1. MHLW Launches Pilot Program for Care Tech Productivity On May 20, 2026, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) began accepting proposals from care providers and tech firms for projects aimed at improving productivity in nursing care. This is part of the "FY2026 Investigation and Effect Measurement Project for Productivity Improvement through Care Technology," with a goal to collect and analyze field data to shape future policies.
2. 2026 Care Remuneration Revision Set for June The industry is closely watching the temporary implementation of the 2026 care remuneration revision scheduled for June. Carecom, a firm specializing in nurse call systems, is actively guiding providers on these changes to ensure stable management and improved service quality.
3. Staffing Shortages: 2.4 Million Care Workers Needed by 2026 According to the Social Security Council’s committee report released on May 9, 2025, Japan will require approximately 2.4 million care workers in 2026—an increase of 250,000, or 63,000 annually. To address this, the government is simultaneously promoting the recruitment of foreign talent and the adoption of new technologies.
4. Preparing for 2027 Legislative Overhaul Discussions are underway regarding the simultaneous revision of care remuneration and the Long-Term Care Insurance Act in 2027. The Social Security Council is currently finalizing key topics for the next revision, with providers urged to proactively integrate these policy shifts into their business strategies.
Singapore Care & Nursing Market Trends
1. Super-Aged Society: Redefining Care Ministries As Singapore officially enters a "Super-Aged Society," there is a growing debate on the need to redefine how religious and community groups provide elder care. A May 25, 2026 report by Salt&Light suggests that since today's seniors differ significantly from previous generations, the methods and approaches to care must fundamentally evolve.
2. AIC Updates SMF Subsidy Criteria The Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) is using the 2025 Annual Value (AV) to determine 2026 subsidy levels for the Seniors' Mobility and Enabling Fund (SMF). Families and medical institutions can order subsidized home medical equipment via the "Vertis Health Marketplace."
3. Expansion of Respite Care Services The AIC continues to operate short-term Respite Care services to support caregivers, especially when gaps arise—such as when a Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) is on leave. Updated contact information for caregiver support networks is available as of March 2026.
4. 2026 Home Caregiving Grant (HCG) Guidelines The AIC announced that 2026 Home Caregiving Grant (HCG) subsidies will be based on 2025 Annual Values. For households with no income, the IRAS-calculated Annual Value of the property will be used to help ease the financial burden on family caregivers.
Policy and Market Implications
1. Shift Toward Community-Based Care Both nations are accelerating their move toward community-based care. Japan is focusing on state-led tech integration and labor recruitment, while Singapore is re-evaluating the role of community networks and private/volunteer resources.
2. Precision in Financial Support The Singaporean AIC is fine-tuning its financial schemes like SMF and HCG, while Japan is refining its remuneration structure through the 2026 temporary revision and upcoming 2027 legal changes. Both are focusing on maintaining fiscal sustainability while improving service accessibility.
3. Divergent Strategies for Labor and Tech Japan is leveraging government-backed tech pilot programs to combat its massive labor shortage (2.4 million needed). In contrast, Singapore is utilizing a "software" approach by tapping into community, religious, and volunteer networks. These differences reflect the distinct demographic and cultural landscapes of each country, offering valuable lessons for mutual policy benchmarking.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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