Innovative Caretech Contest 2025: Shaping the Future of Care for All

Care as an Innovation for Everyone

The Shinohara Yoshiko Memorial Foundation is organizing the Caretech Innovation Contest 2025, and it has received official support from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. This prestigious contest invites applications from December 18, 2025, allowing participants from elementary school students to researchers and startups, demonstrating that anyone can contribute innovative ideas to solve real-world care challenges.

Contest Overview

This open innovation contest is designed with inclusivity in mind, encouraging participation from people of diverse backgrounds, regardless of age or field of expertise. The contest views ‘care’ not just as a mechanism for elderly support, but as a multifaceted concept affecting anyone who has ever cared for or been cared for.

Key Details

- Deadline for Submissions: January 16, 2026, at 23:59
- Participants: Open to individuals and teams, including minors with parental consent. Ideas may touch on themes related to caregiving, medical support, education, disability, family, community, and work-life balance.

Application Categories

1. Ideas Category: Participants can submit conceptual ideas via a video of up to 3 minutes, starting from elementary students.
2. Prototype Category: Entries should include prototypes, proofs of concept, or research findings presented in up to 5 minutes. This category emphasizes proposals aimed at practical implementation.

Grants Available

Grants will be awarded up to:

- Prototype Category:

- University students & adults: Up to ¥20,000,000
- High school students: Up to ¥1,000,000
- Elementary & middle school students: Up to ¥800,000

- Ideas Category:

- University students & adults: Up to ¥1,000,000
- High school students: Up to ¥100,000
- Elementary & middle school students: Up to ¥50,000

Expert Judging Panel

The contest will be judged by a panel of six experts from various fields, including academia, venture capital, and real-world care environments. Each judge brings a unique perspective on how care can evolve for both caregivers and recipients.

- Ryo Okubo: CEO of Rehab for JAPAN, experienced in therapy and technology integration for improved care quality.
- Yuri Taihara: Director at Care Ritz and Partners, skilled in management and operational support within caregiving.
- Takashi Miyamoto: CEO of Zenko General Research Institute, focusing on enhancing quality and sustainability in care.

From academia, we have:

- Mitsuhiro Kano: A professor at Okayama University, leading interdisciplinary research in health and care.
- Yukie Majima: An academic who studies nursing and information sciences, raising practical care issues.

From venture capital:

- Koki Fukatsu: A venture capitalist with a law background, facilitating the practical application of healthcare innovations.

A Challenge Open to All

With the backing of the Ministry of Health, this contest represents a unique opportunity for citizens, researchers, and professionals to collaborate on redefining care. The Shinohara Foundation believes that with the right technological tools, it is possible to tackle challenges once deemed insurmountable. Director Katsunori Furuichi emphasizes the potential for these innovations to lead to genuine shifts in caregiving, improving well-being for all involved.

Future Schedule

- Submission Deadline: January 16, 2026, at 23:59
- First Round Notification: Mid-February 2026
- Final Judging and Awards Ceremony: March 22, 2026, at Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

For those interested in changing the landscape of care in Japan, the official website offers additional details and submission links.

As we transition to a society where care is paramount, be a part of driving innovation that can change lives.