94.3% of Participants Show Increased Motivation; "16th All Japan Care Contest" to Be Held on November 28, Enhancing Skills in Caregiving

The All Japan Care Contest Executive Committee will hold the "16th All Japan Care Contest (AJCC)," a caregiving skills evaluation contest aimed at improving the quality of care and fostering community connections, on November 28, 2026 (Saturday) (Pre-contest reception: November 27) at Tokyo Big Sight West Hall 3. In conjunction with this, applications for participants, targeting care workers employed in medical, caregiving, and welfare fields nationwide, as well as students studying welfare, will open in July 2026.

What is the All Japan Care Contest (AJCC)?

The caregiving industry continues to face a labor shortage, with an estimated need for approximately 250,000 care workers in 2026 and about 570,000 in 2040*1. Meanwhile, the number of elderly individuals requiring care is expected to increase.

The All Japan Care Contest (AJCC) was established in 2010 with the aim of making the professionalism of caregiving visible through practical skills in a public setting, and broadly communicating its significance and value to society. Its primary objective is not to compete for rankings, but to promote self-improvement and mutual understanding among participants. To date, over 1,500 contestants have participated.

Live practical skills at the venue will be conducted primarily by current care workers, divided into categories such as "Dementia," "End-of-Life Care," "Oral Care," "Bathing," "Mealtime," "Toileting," and "Foreign Care Workers." Participants will tackle assigned tasks for approximately 10 minutes with an elderly role-player, and their performance will be evaluated by advisors. (Students from training schools will be evaluated via video submission.)

Starting with this year's contest, the competition categories will be reviewed based on the experience and skill improvement of foreign care workers. Some categories will be integrated with those for Japanese staff, allowing individuals to enhance their skills on the same stage regardless of nationality. Furthermore, with the full cooperation of the Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Japan Care Worker Association, advisors will include those holding the advanced qualification of "Certified Care Worker."

Additionally, continuing from the previous event, a pre-contest reception will be held to facilitate interaction between participants and advisors. This reception will provide an opportunity for participants to deepen their connections by freely exchanging opinions with fellow contestants and advisors in preparation for the main contest.

*1 Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: Regarding the number of care workers required based on the 9th Phase Long-Term Care Insurance Project Plan

"Effects of the All Japan Care Contest on Workplaces" Revealed by Survey Analysis

The 15th contest held last year saw 148 participants from 69 organizations nationwide, with 35 students participating in the video submission category.

Furthermore, an analysis of effects from a research project conducted as part of a Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare program for the promotion of health and welfare for the elderly (FY2025 Report) has revealed specific ripple effects on participants and their workplaces.*2

● Motivation Improvement for Participating Contestants: 94.3%

● Acquisition of New Perspectives and Knowledge by Organizations/Businesses: 94.3%

● Satisfaction Level of Organizations/Businesses: 91.5%

● Improvement in Caregiving Techniques and Skills of Participating Contestants: 88.6%

● Ripple Effect of Learning to Other Staff Members: 85.7%

The practical training and case analysis during the contest preparation, along with the feedback from advisors after the practical sessions, contribute to increased motivation among on-site staff and function as practical learning opportunities that promote organizational human resource development.

*2 Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Elderly Health Promotion and Improvement Project: Research Project Report on the Analysis of the Effects of Contests Aimed at Improving Caregiving Skills

16th All Japan Care Contest Overview

Date: November 28, 2026 (Saturday) (Pre-contest reception: November 27, Friday)

Venue: Tokyo Big Sight West Hall 3 (Koto-ku, Tokyo)

Pre-contest Reception Venue: Tokyo Bay Ariake Washington Hotel, 3rd Floor Iris

[Live Practical Skills] Application Limit: 150 participants total

"Dementia," "End-of-Life Care," "Oral Care," "Bathing," "Mealtime," "Toileting"

"Foreign Care Workers" *Groups will be divided based on years of experience.

Eligibility:

Care workers with practical experience, employed in facilities such as medical, caregiving, or disability welfare.

Foreign care workers engaged in caregiving duties under EPA, Technical Intern Training Program, Specified Skilled Worker, or residency status "Caregiving."

[Video Submission] Students studying at care worker training schools.

Contest Format (Live Practical Skills):

One session duration: 20 minutes (10 minutes practical, 7 minutes feedback, 3 minutes preparation)

Assigned tasks will be changed between morning and afternoon sessions to ensure opportunities for participants to observe and learn from each other.

Refer to the filming manual for video submissions.

Awards:

[Live Practical Skills] Best awards will be selected for each category and group.

[Video Submission] Excellence awards will be selected.

Special Booth Exhibition:

Information exhibition by the Japan Care Worker Association within the venue.

Exhibition booth for practical demonstrations of video submissions.

Exhibition booth for "Musubona AI" by Yasashii Te Co., Ltd. (planned)

Application Method: Apply via the official website ( https://ajcc.info/ )

Application Deadline: Until September 30, 2026 (Wednesday)

Participation Fee: Contestant participation fee: 15,000 yen/person; Pre-contest reception fee: 5,000 yen for contestants, 10,000 yen for general attendees.

Viewing of Live Practical Skills: Free admission.

Organizing Bodies: Kouhouen Social Welfare Corporation, Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Japan Care Worker Association, SOMPO Care Inc., Yasashii Te Co., Ltd., Tokyo Royal Co., Ltd., Nagaoka Welfare Association Social Welfare Corporation (in no particular order)