Zero Elderly Unable to Walk Due to Nail Issues: Transforming Nail Care from 'Beauty' to 'Preventive Care'

We support the 'April Dream' project, which aims to make April 1st a day to share dreams. This press release is the dream of Ichigu Co., Ltd.

'We want to reduce the number of elderly people who cannot walk due to nail issues to zero.'

This challenge began with that thought.

Nail care is not just for fashion. By grooming hand and foot nails, walking becomes stable, outings increase, and the person's life itself changes.

Ichigu Co., Ltd. (Osaka, Representative: Yuka Ishikawa) declares through April Dream that it will implement 'Nail Care for Health' as a Japanese culture.

Our Dream We will realize the following future by 2030: - A society where 'nail care' is standard in all welfare facilities nationwide. - A future where nail care collaborates with medical and nursing care to become an essential health infrastructure. - Establishment of a work style where one can be independent through 'care skills' regardless of age. - A world where 'Cure Nailists®' who are chosen even without applying color become the norm. - Japan where hand and foot care is established as a culture that supports the 'power to live'.

Why this dream? Actually, a single nail condition can make someone 'unable to walk'.

'Unable to walk due to nails' This fact is not yet widely known.

Japan is now entering a super-aging society. Overlooked in this is the reality that foot and nail problems make walking difficult, leading to giving up on outings and a decline in quality of life (QOL).

Originally, nail care is 'preventive care' that directly leads to fall prevention and independence support. However, currently, nail care remains in the 'beauty' domain, and this value is not sufficiently recognized by society.

Changes already happening Elderly people who have received nail care are already experiencing changes such as: - 'Pain has decreased, and walking has become easier.' - 'The number of times I go out has increased.' - 'I look forward to meeting people.'

A simple care of grooming nails is affecting not only physical functions but also people's motivation and their lives themselves.

To make the dream a reality We are working on training 'Cure Nailists®', professionals who support health through hand and foot nail care. Currently, about 80 graduates nationwide are active as 'Cure Nailists®' in welfare facilities, home care, and salons. Beyond the framework of beauty, their role as 'care personnel who support daily life' is beginning to expand.

Representative Yuka Ishikawa's Comment Nail care is not just about making things look beautiful. Hand and foot care becomes a power that supports people to 'live on their own feet'. Care is not a special talent. If you have the passion, you can make it a profession. The 80 colleagues currently active have already proven its value. By spreading the work of 'Nailists who do not apply color', we will change the lives of women who take on challenges and make this job a standard in Japan. And in 2030, we will create a society where nail care is standard in elderly facilities all over Japan.

'April Dream' is a project by PR TIMES where companies share the dreams they want to achieve someday on April 1st. We are seriously aiming to realize this dream.