#Japan #Tokyo #Childcare Tech #Unifa #Lookmee

Unifa Introduces Enhanced Childcare Management Solutions with Lookmee

Unifa Corporation, headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo and led by CEO Yasuyuki Toki, has recently announced that its comprehensive ICT service, Lookmee, will integrate with the newly established Childcare Business Facility Management Platform and Childcare Information Coordination Foundation, initiated by the Children and Family Agency. This move aims to streamline essential paperwork and reduce manual processes for parents engaged in childcare activities, contributing to the realization of a child-centered society. Additionally, Lookmee qualifies as a service that meets the requirements for the new Childcare ICT Promotion Addition, which is set to be implemented in 2026. This addition aims to promote technology utilization in childcare settings and alleviate operational burdens.

Background of the Initiative

The childcare sector faces a critical shortage of qualified childcare workers, with Tokyo’s effective job openings for childcare positions reaching a staggering 4.28 times the average across all professions in 2025. Approximately 50% of childcare facilities are reportedly limiting their intake of children due to staffing shortages, making this a significant issue in addressing Japan's declining birth rate. The rise of dual-income households has increased the challenges related to childcare initiatives, requiring parents to handle extensive documentation and manual information gathering, which places an additional burden on their work-life balance.

In light of these pressing issues, the Children and Family Agency is spearheading the establishment of a digital foundation essential for the advancement of childcare transformation (DX).

This integration of Lookmee with the Childcare Business Facility Management Platform and the Childcare Information Coordination Foundation will strengthen the collaboration among parents, childcare facilities, and municipalities. By leveraging technology, the goal is to lighten the administrative load in childcare settings, allowing educators to dedicate more time to individual children while contributing to a more supportive environment for all families in their childcare journey.

Overview of the New Platforms

Childcare Business Facility Management Platform

This platform aims to implement a 'once-only' information submission principle, allowing childcare facilities to conduct online procedures with local governments without the need to resubmit information already provided. By transitioning from paper-based processes to electronic submissions, the platform will facilitate automatic calculation of subsidy information and audits, significantly reducing the workload for both municipalities and childcare institutions. The Lookmee system is being positioned to support significant operational efficiencies through API integrations, streamlining workflows in various childcare settings.

Childcare Information Coordination Foundation

This nation-wide foundation aims to simplify the entire childcare process—from facility searches and visit scheduling to issuing employment certificates—by connecting parents, childcare institutions, employers, and local governments with the necessary information. With this foundation in place, parents will have the flexibility to book facility visits and manage applications online at any time, dramatically reducing both time and psychological burdens associated with childcare activities.

Introduction of the Childcare ICT Promotion Addition

The Childcare ICT Promotion Addition is a new initiative designed to reward facilities that effectively use technology to enhance work processes, improve operational efficiency, and elevate the quality of education and care. Facilities seeking to obtain this addition will need to fulfill three primary requirements, including utilizing a multifunctional ICT system that addresses attendance, parent communication, plan documentation, and cashless payment functionalities.

By incorporating these platforms into Lookmee’s existing services, the platform will enable facilities to seamlessly meet the requirements for the Childcare ICT Promotion Addition.

Future Developments

By collaborating with the Childcare Business Facility Management Platform and Childcare Information Coordination Foundation, Lookmee aims to address issues faced by childcare institutions and parents alike. Through advanced technology, the platform will shorten administrative times, allowing educators to focus on providing quality care tailored to the needs of each child. This endeavor emphasizes the commitment of Unifa to foster an environment that supports high-quality childcare.

• - Preventing Duplicate Data Entry in Subsidy and Audit Operations: By facilitating seamless data integration with the Childcare Business Facility Management Platform, Lookmee will eliminate the need for repeated submission of information from childcare facilities to local governments, significantly enhancing overall efficiency.

• - Reducing the Burden of Facility Visit Reservations for Parents: Through the Childcare Information Coordination Foundation and interconnected systems, parents will be able to track visit reservations and cancellations efficiently within Lookmee, reducing the reliance on phone communications and physical paperwork. This will alleviate the workload for educators, allowing greater focus on delivering high-quality childcare.

About Lookmee and Unifa Corporation

Comprehensive ICT Service Lookmee

Lookmee Website
Lookmee’s features encompass the management of children's attendance, rest monitoring, care diaries, and documentation required by parents and local governments, among other tasks. The Lookmee series automatically aggregates various data, such as health and daily reports, and enables efficient management of childcare needs. With over 20,000 implementations and services delivered to approximately 70 municipalities thus far, Lookmee is redefining the operational standards for childcare management.

About Unifa Corporation

Unifa Website
Unifa is a startup dedicated to resolving societal challenges related to childcare and parenting within the 'Childcare-Tech' sector. With the mission to create a new societal infrastructure that nurtures family happiness worldwide, Unifa develops and provides the Lookmee ICT service powered by childcare AI technology. The company aims to enhance the balance of working and family life by contributing to sustainable social environments for families, achieving recognition as the first champion of Startup World Cup and receiving multiple awards in recent years.

With these technological advancements, Unifa is committed to continuing its support for childcare facilities and enhancing the welfare of families across Japan.