Yamashita (Shanghai) Elderly Care Services Co., Ltd. (Representative: General Manager Nagai Shin, Shanghai, China), a subsidiary of Yamashita Co., Ltd. that oversees its operations in China and provides rental and sales of nursing care products (welfare equipment), established a new company, "Yamashita Fukushi (Wuxi) Health Management Co., Ltd.," in Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province, China, in April 2026. In Wuxi City, a public subsidy system for nursing care product rentals began in April 2026. Yamashita Fukushi (Wuxi) has been selected as a service provider in four out of the city's five administrative districts and has commenced its nursing care product rental business. In addition, Wuxi City also features stores for the nursing care product sales brand "Sangetsurinshu," allowing for business development through both rental and sales. This marks Yamashita's fourth business base in China, following Shanghai, Tianjin, and Chengdu.
A sales store for nursing care products, "Sangetsurinshu," in Wuxi. In addition to sales functions, it also operates as a showroom for rental nursing care products.
Responding to the Rapidly Growing Demand for Home-Based Nursing Care in China
In China, the aging population has accelerated in recent years due to reasons such as the "one-child policy" implemented from 1979 to 2014. As of 2022, individuals aged 65 and over accounted for approximately 15% of the total population. In Shanghai, China's largest city, the proportion of elderly individuals is as high as approximately 28%. (※1)
Amidst this situation, the Chinese government elevated its response to an aging society to a "national strategy" in March 2021. Furthermore, in the government work report presented at the 3rd session of the 14th National People's Congress on March 5, 2025, an expansion of support for the purchase and rental of nursing care products was indicated as a specific item to enhance social security and service policies (※2). Against this policy backdrop, preparations are underway across China for the nationwide implementation of long-term care insurance systems, accelerating the promotion of home-based nursing care and the expansion of public support for nursing care product rentals.
※1 Source: JETRO, "Shanghai's population aged 60 and over exceeded 5.53 million in 2022, with life expectancy reaching 83.18 years."
※2 Source: Government Work Report at the 3rd session of the 14th National People's Congress
https://www.gov.cn/yaowen/liebiao/202503/content_7013163.htm
Business in Wuxi City
In Wuxi City, a public subsidy system for nursing care product rentals commenced in April 2026, subsidizing 50% of rental costs for elderly individuals aged 80 and over and those requiring care. For low-income households, subsidies of up to 70% are applied. Yamashita Fukushi (Wuxi) has been selected as a service provider in four of the city's five administrative districts and will offer nursing care product rental services in these areas.
Furthermore, in May 2026, a sales store for nursing care products, "Sangetsurinshu Silver Hair (Silver) Life Experience Hall," also opened. This store, in addition to selling nursing care products, is equipped with showroom functions for displaying, experiencing, and consulting on rental products, serving as a hub to promote the use and awareness of rental services.
A sales store for nursing care products in Wuxi City, "Sangetsurinshu Silver Hair Mall Wuxi Jiangxi Store."
About Wuxi City
Wuxi City is a core city (prefecture-level city) in southern Jiangsu Province, located in eastern China, approximately 130 km west of Shanghai. It comprises five administrative districts (Liangxi District, Xishan District, Huishan District, Binhu District, and Xinwu District) and has a permanent resident population of approximately 7.5 million. Jiangsu Province, where Wuxi City is located, has a high aging rate, with the proportion of the population aged 65 and over estimated to be between 15% and 18%. This is a higher level compared to China as a whole (15% aged 65 and over), indicating an anticipated increase in demand for nursing care.
Yamashita's Expansion in China
Yamashita has been operating a rental business for nursing care products and welfare equipment since 1986, prior to the start of the nursing care insurance system in Japan. Currently, it operates over 80 locations nationwide, making it a leading provider of nursing care product rentals. Leveraging its expertise in product management, hygiene control, user assessment, and delivery/collection cultivated in Japan, Yamashita is working to develop the home-based nursing care infrastructure in China.
Since starting operations in Shanghai in 2020, Yamashita has been involved in nursing care product rentals, nursing care renovations, and showroom operations. In 2024, it established "Yamashita (Shanghai) Elderly Care Services Co., Ltd." to oversee its China operations. In 2025, it established "Yamashita Weilefan (Shanghai) Industrial Development Co., Ltd." for nursing care product sales in China in partnership with Wel-Fan Co., Ltd., a major wholesaler of nursing care products. By leveraging its network with Japanese manufacturers, Yamashita is promoting the adoption of Japanese-style nursing care services in the Chinese market.
Furthermore, in 2025, Yamashita established "Yamashita Fukushi (Chengdu) Health Management Co., Ltd." in Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, and is accelerating its business expansion in the Chinese market by participating in a pilot project for welfare equipment rental services conducted by the Sichuan Provincial Civil Affairs Department.
In addition, in February 2026, as part of the initiatives of Yamashita Weilefan (Shanghai) Industrial Development Co., Ltd., the company began developing nursing care product sales stores called "Sangetsurinshu Silver Hair (Silver) Life Experience Hall." Currently, six stores are operating nationwide in China (Chengdu Main Store, Chengdu Ito-Yokado Store, Shanghai Silver Hair Convenience Store, Shanghai Wanhui Plaza Store, Silver Hair Mall Wuxi Jiangxi Store, and Zhejiang Shaoxing Store).
Overview of the New Company "Yamashita Fukushi (Wuxi) Health Management Co., Ltd."
Company Name: Yamashita Fukushi (Wuxi) Health Management Co., Ltd.
Representative: Chairman Nagai Shin
Business Activities: Rental and sales of nursing care products
Establishment: April 17, 2026
Investment Ratio: Yamashita (Shanghai) Elderly Care Services Co., Ltd. 100%
About Yamashita Co., Ltd.
Since its founding in 1963, Yamashita has upheld the corporate philosophy of "Living Rightly, Living Richly" and has established a leading position in the industry through both its linen supply and nursing care product rental/sales businesses. With the strength of creating a virtuous cycle that mutually enhances job satisfaction for all employees and customer experience value, the company has set a sales target of 85 billion yen by 2030. Yamashita is also focusing on DX, improving service quality and productivity through the integration of existing businesses and technology, while expanding into adjacent business areas and overseas markets. By challenging industry consolidation and value enhancement, the company aims for discontinuous growth, targeting sales of 1 trillion yen by 2050.
(Company Profile)
Location: Headquarters: 737 Nakagawa, Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Tokyo Headquarters: 8th Floor, Shinagawa Intercity C Building, 2-15-3 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Establishment: March 6, 1963
Representative: Representative Director and President Kazunori Yamashita
Business Activities: Rental and sales of welfare equipment, linen supply business, etc.
Sales: 37.32 billion yen (Fiscal Year Ending March 2026)
Number of Employees: 2,979 (As of the end of March 2026)
"Yamashita" Corporate Site: https://www.yco.co.jp/
Yamashita Hotel Linen Supply: https://www.yco.co.jp/hotel/
Nursing Care Products and Welfare Equipment Introduction Site "Yamashita Sukukita": https://www.ycota.jp/
Comprehensive Mail Order Site for Nursing Care Products and Welfare Equipment "Yamashita Online Store": https://caretaro.com/
FACT BOX
- Source: PR TIMES
- Category: 企業動向