#Japan #Tokyo #Senior Support #Akari Guarantee

Inaugural Forum of the National Association for Lifetime Support Services

On April 15, 2026, the National Association for Lifetime Support Services (全終協), of which Akari Guarantee is a founding member, held its first-ever forum at the KDDI Hall in Tokyo. The event drew over 70 attendees on-site, with approximately 300 joining online, highlighting the significance of the occasion.

The forum served as a valuable platform for discussing various aspects of lifetime support services for the elderly. It featured a lineup of distinguished speakers, including a greeting from Yoshida Shin, Director of the Dementia Policies and Regional Care Promotion Division at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, alongside a keynote address by Kanae Sawamura, a Senior Specialist from the Japan Research Institute’s Innovation Strategies Center.

Significant Panel Discussions

The forum included a crucial panel discussion on the theme of supporting senior citizens without reliable family members—"Support for Elderly Individuals Without Dependents: Past and Future". Panelists included:

• - Ayano Kunimitsu, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and House of Representatives Member
• - Kanae Sawamura, Japan Research Institute
• - Junko Kobayashi, Director of Community Welfare Division, Toshima Ward Social Welfare Council
• - Fumino Kurosawa, President of the National Association for Lifetime Support Services

Growing Need for Support Services

The establishment of the association comes amidst a notable increase in the number of businesses providing lifetime support and guardianship services for the elderly, surpassing 400 across the nation. This rise correlates significantly with the growing number of elderly individuals living alone in Japan, which has reached over 9 million.

However, this proliferation of service providers has been paralleled by a concerning increase in consumer complaints. One particularly alarming case occurred in April 2016, when the Japan Life Association, which managed contracts for approximately 2,600 clients, misappropriated around 270 million yen in user deposits, leading to total liabilities of about 1.2 billion yen and its subsequent collapse.

In response to these escalating issues, the Guidelines for Lifetime Support Providers were established in June 2024 by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. These guidelines aim to streamline operations and protect consumers within the sector.

Challenges in Regulation and Oversight

Despite the introduction of these guidelines, significant challenges remain. Currently, there are no licensing or formal requirements in place for firms wishing to enter this sector, meaning that virtually anyone can start offering these services with little to no oversight. This lack of regulation places consumers at risk, making it difficult for them to discern which providers are reputable.

Contracts with lifetime support providers often involve substantial initial costs and commitments, emphasizing the critical need for consumer empowerment in selecting reliable services. Thus, the formation of the National Association for Lifetime Support Services marks a pivotal step towards addressing these deficiencies.

Founded by Akari Guarantee and six other providers, the association has set stricter admission criteria than those outlined in the government guidelines, aiming to ensure that only qualified organizations can become members. This initiative seeks to help consumers make informed decisions regarding their lifetime support services.

Akari Guarantee's Commitment to Excellence

Akari Guarantee is committed to offering high-quality services in collaboration with legal professionals such as lawyers and judicial scriveners, as well as healthcare experts like nurses and care managers. This approach enables the provision of comprehensive support tailored to each elderly individual’s unique needs, ensuring peace of mind and reliability in the services offered.

In addition, Akari Guarantee strictly adheres to the government’s guidelines, emphasizing transparency in service and pricing, alongside detailed explanations of important contractual matters provided by legal experts at the time of service initiation.

Ultimately, Akari Guarantee aims to realize a society where all elderly individuals can enjoy secure and supportive lives in their later years through their dedicated lifetime support and guardianship services.

Company Overview

• - Company Name: Akari Guarantee Co., Ltd.
• - Location: 4-3-18 Nishi-Tenma, Kita-ku, Osaka, 530-0047, Japan
• - CEO: Yuuki Shimizu
• - Capital: 100 million yen (including reserves)
• - Founded: July 8, 2024
• - Business Overview: Collaboration with trusted legal professionals and compliance with national guidelines to provide reliable lifetime support services, including debt guarantees and emergency responses.
• - Official Website: https://www.akarihosho.jp/