#Japan #Tokyo #Nurse Retention #healthcare survey #Nurse Recruitment

Overview of the Nursing Workplace Survey 2026

In March 2026, SMS Co., Ltd., headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, conducted an extensive survey focusing on the working conditions of nurses across Japan. This study, targeting human resource managers from hospitals, clinics, home care stations, and nursing facilities, collected responses from 577 participants. It aimed to explore key aspects of nurse recruitment and retention, marking the second iteration of such research.

Key Findings

• - More than 60% of the surveyed organizations are planning wage increases, with over 30% considering raises in basic salaries and allowances.
• - The most common wage increase range is 1.0%-1.5%, reported by 15.4% of respondents.
• - 77.3% of organizations report feeling a shortage of nurses, a figure that has remained stable compared to last year.
• - Approximately 50% of organizations have yet to initiate reform activities aimed at improving working conditions for nurses.
• - The average overtime reported was between 1 to 5 hours, with a secondary group noting 5 to 10 hours.
• - The most effective strategy for promoting work reform and retention was found to be reducing overtime hours.
• - About 50% of organizations have successfully deployed nursing and care assistants.
• - Over 60% of healthcare organizations are leveraging nurses aged 60 and above.
• - The most frequently reported type of harassment in the past year was patient harassment, indicating ongoing safety concerns for nursing staff.
• - Regarding digital transformation, 38.5% of organizations have filed for benefits associated with loosening work processes.
• - The top desired digital tools to reduce administrative burdens include summarizing minutes from meetings.

Commentary on Effective Strategies

The survey highlights that implementing Digital Transformation (DX) has significantly helped in re-evaluating and standardizing work processes, minimizing errors, and enhancing operational efficiency. As a direct consequence, these changes led to a marked reduction in overtime, allowing nurses more time to focus on patient care.

Furthermore, some facilities have adopted an area buddy system in patient wards, ensuring that both new and seasoned nurses are never isolated in challenging situations, thereby fostering a collaborative environment. This team-based approach has contributed to a decrease in working hours, making it easier for nurses to share responsibilities and support each other during busy periods.

Another method showing promise was task-shifting non-clinical duties to nursing assistants and integrating AI to handle nursing summaries. Such strategies are gradually leading to reduced overtime hours, promoting a healthier work-life balance for nursing professionals.

Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

Despite promising plans for wage increases, the figures still reveal that approximately 50% of organizations have not yet launched any initiatives toward workplace reforms or staff retention. This hesitancy underscores a formidable challenge as health sectors cope with workforce shortages and strive for improved employee satisfaction. Additionally, recent data suggests the most common form of harassment reported, patient harassment, remains a significant concern, adding to the stressful conditions nurses face.

Conclusion

This survey not only sheds light on the urgent need for wage adjustments but also emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive approach to improving working conditions for nurses. As we advance towards a higher demanding healthcare landscape in 2026, organizations must prioritize strategies aimed at enhancing nurse retention and satisfaction.

SMS Co., Ltd. remains committed to providing insights and support to medical institutions and care facilities in their efforts to foster a nurturing work environment for nurses, ensuring they feel valued and motivated in their critical roles.

About SMS Co., Ltd.

Founded in 2003, SMS Co., Ltd. transitioned to the Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2022. The company focuses on developing over 40 services targeting needs within the aging society, contributing positively to quality of life. For more information, visit SMS Co., Ltd..