Addressing the 570,000 Nursing Staff Shortage by 2040: BSCode and Prof. Kodaira of Toyama College Launch Joint Research to Train Foreign Caregivers via NASGlass Smart Glasses

Addressing the 570,000 Nursing Staff Shortage by 2040

It is estimated that Japan will face a shortage of approximately 570,000 nursing care workers by 2040 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare). While the need for foreign personnel is increasing, 'language barriers' and the 'cost of practical training' hinder them from becoming immediately productive in the field.

Overview of the Joint Research

BSCode Inc. (Minato-ku, Tokyo), developer of the nursing care documentation system 'NASRECO' and the smart AI glasses 'NASGlass,' has launched a joint research project with Professor Tatsuo Kodaira of the Department of Health and Welfare at Toyama College. This research aims to build a practical educational model for nursing students and prospective workers prior to their arrival in Japan, utilizing NASGlass and NASRECO.

Background and Objectives

Expanding the intake of foreign staff is an urgent task. However, post-arrival language communication difficulties and training costs impose a heavy burden on both facilities and staff.

BSCode believes that features implemented in NASRECO and NASGlass—including voice recognition, foreign language input, real-time translation, and AI assistant capabilities—can solve these issues. By allowing candidates to experience and learn tasks before they arrive, rather than relying solely on on-the-job training (OJT) in Japan, the company aims to significantly accelerate their readiness.

Future Outlook

This model is versatile and applicable to collaborations with overseas nursing agencies and the promotion of Japanese-style care. Moving forward, the company plans to pursue international academic presentations and accumulate global evidence.

Comment from Director Utagawa

"We want to feed academic insights back into our products to contribute to an environment where both Japanese and foreign staff can work with peace of mind. When technology removes barriers, the nursing field will change dramatically."

Recent Activities

On May 23, 2026, BSCode participated as a guest speaker at a developers' salon hosted by Rokid, presenting case studies on the use of smart glasses in the nursing and agricultural sectors.