The 15th All Japan Care Contest: Transforming Nursing Care Through Skills Development

On October 4, 2025, the All Japan Care Contest Committee (AJCC) will host the 15th All Japan Care Contest at Tokyo Big Sight, West Hall 3. This unique event in Japan is dedicated to enhancing the quality of nursing care and strengthening community ties. It aims not just to improve the knowledge and skills of caregivers but also to provide a platform for professionals to reflect on their practices and contemplate the future of nursing care.

What is the All Japan Care Contest (AJCC)?

The AJCC is not merely a competitive event; it is designed to foster personal growth and understanding among participants. Caregivers with practical experience will demonstrate their skills in various categories, including “dementia care,” “end-of-life care,” “oral care,” “bathing,” “nutrition,” “excretion,” and “foreign caregiving staff.” There will also be a video submission category aimed at nursing schools. Competitors will perform for approximately 10 minutes with elderly role-players, evaluated by experts in each field. Participants receive feedback post-demonstration, effectively enhancing their skills through practical experience.

Since its inaugural event in 2010, the contest has seen over 1,400 participants, serving as a platform for the workforce in nursing care to sharpen their skills and promote mutual understanding. It has contributed to elevating the social status of nursing jobs by showcasing the exceptional skills involved in caregiving. All attendees, not just competitors, will engage in an educational journey to understand what caregiving truly encompasses, fostering an environment supportive of nursing care.

Impact of the All Japan Care Contest

Data from last year’s 14th contest demonstrated the event's considerable impact. With approximately 1,500 visitors and 138 practical event participants (among 156 entries) as well as 38 participants in the video submission category, the results were compelling. An analytical report from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare highlighted that 94.7% of participants experienced an improvement in their skills, and 92.1% expressed increased motivation to continue learning. These findings reflect a significant positive impact on those working in the field, with feedback from supporters and facility managers indicating improved team awareness and useful applications of training in their workplaces.

Additionally, the visibility of skills demonstrated through the event helps participants to objectively reassess their own practices, thereby enhancing the quality of care in their settings. Observing the skills of others creates a motivational feedback loop, encouraging participants to leverage their learning back at their workplaces.

Night Festival: Building Team Spirit and Motivation

In continuity with previous events, this year will also see a Night Festival allowing interaction among participants and advisors. This pre-event gathering will facilitate casual discussions, enabling contestants to bond as they prepare for the main competition. An earlier survey revealed that participants are eager to utilize their knowledge and skills for personal growth, and many expressed a desire to learn from each other’s exemplary care techniques to bring valuable insights back to their workplaces.

The nursing industry faces significant workforce shortages, estimated to reach around 320,000 fewer workers by 2025 and approximately 690,000 by 2040. The need for caregiving services is likely to escalate as the population ages. As of 2021, approximately 6.9 million individuals were certified as requiring some form of care, marking a 1.1% increase from the previous year.

The All Japan Care Contest Committee aims to improve the skills and motivation of caregivers through national-level competitions while enhancing public understanding and knowledge about nursing care.

Event Details for the 15th All Japan Care Contest

- Date: October 4, 2025 (Night Festival: October 3)
- Schedule (tentative): Opening Ceremony 8:45 AM, Practical Skills from 9:30 AM - 2:10 PM, Awards Ceremony from 2:50 PM - 4:00 PM.
- Venue: Tokyo Big Sight, West Hall 3.
- Practical Categories: “Dementia,” “End-of-life,” “Nutrition,” “Bathing,” “Excretion,” “Oral Care,” “Foreign Care Staff.”
- Video Submission: Exclusively for students in caregiving training programs.
- Eligibility: Practicing caregivers employed in home care or facilities, including foreign nationals working under specific visa statuses related to caregiving. Nursing students are also allowed to submit video entries.
- Application Method: AJCC Participation
- Deadline: August 15, 2025.
- Admission: Free for visitors.
- Contact: contest@ajcc.info (AJCC Office)