Call for Entries Begins for the 6th Japan Service Awards 2023

6th Japan Service Awards Now Open for Applications

The Japan Productivity Center (JPC), through its Service Industry Productivity Council (SPRING), has officially opened the application period for the 6th Japan Service Awards. Running from September 14, 2023, to October 29, 2023, this prestigious event aims to recognize innovative and outstanding services across various regions, scales, and industries. Winners will be celebrated in the winter of 2027, highlighting the contributions of organizations, including startups and local businesses, that address social challenges and create new value.

Awards Overview

The Japan Service Awards are designed to honor exceptional services provided by private entities in Japan without restrictions on region, scale, or industry (excluding governmental services). Since its inception, the awards have highlighted 142 outstanding services over five editions, celebrating initiatives from large corporations, SMEs, startups, and local enterprises.

Who Can Apply?

Any business offering services is eligible to enter, covering all aspects of productivity improvement in the service sector, except for public administration. Categories for the awards include:

- Prime Minister’s Award
- Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award
- Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Award
- Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Award
- (Planned) Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award
- Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Award
- Minister of Regional Revitalization Award
- Excellence Awards
- Special Jury Awards

Schedule

- Application Period: September 14, 2023 – October 29, 2023
- First Document Screening: November – December 2023
- Second Document Screening: December 2023 – April 2024
- On-Site Evaluation: Starting April 2024
- Announcement & Awards Ceremony: Winter 2027

To submit an application, participants must fill out the designated entry format and submit it via the awards website: Japan Service Awards Website. Participation in the application and evaluation process incurs no fees.

Free Consultation Sessions

To assist potential applicants, a series of free online consultation sessions will run from September 2, 2023, through October 23, 2023. This initiative aims to address inquiries regarding eligibility and to provide guidance on completing the required application documents. Interested parties can reserve a consultation slot via the following link: Consultation Details.

Previous Winners

5th Prime Minister’s Award Winner

Service: Japan Travel by NAVITIME
Company: NAVITIME Japan
Overview: This multilingual navigation app advanced inbound tourism by facilitating smooth transportation and promoting local attractions.

5th Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Award Winner

Service: Akippa (Parking Share Service)
Company: Akippa Inc.
Overview: This innovative service allows the reservation of private parking spots through an app, addressing local parking shortages and congestion.

5th Excellence Award Winner

Service: Nursery School Study Abroad
Company: Kitchenhike Inc.
Overview: This program connects urban parenting families with regional support, allowing parents and children to experience childcare in local communities while addressing urban challenges.

About the Japan Productivity Center

Established in 1955, the Japan Productivity Center is a private organization committed to enhancing productivity in Japanese industries. It has played a crucial role in supporting Japan’s post-war economic recovery and continuous growth through collaboration among industry, labor, and academic experts.

The Service Industry Productivity Council, founded in 2007, aims to elevate service sector productivity for sustainable economic growth in Japan. Through recognizing innovative services, the Japan Service Awards play a vital role in fostering improvement and progress in the sector.

For additional information and to submit applications, visit the Japan Service Awards Website.