With an eye on the future of Japan’s world-renowned long-term care insurance system and social welfare, KAiGO PRiDE is now launching a new initiative: the “KAiGO Ecosystem.”
■ International KAiGO Festival 2025 – Event Report
Two Events Launched Toward Building the “KAiGO Ecosystem”
In February 2025, KAiGO PRiDE hosted the inaugural “International KAiGO Festival” and “KAiGO DESIGN AWARD” as part of its commitment to building the KAiGO Ecosystem.
Moving forward, KAiGO PRiDE will continue to expand these two events while also launching a new initiative: the “KAiGOpreneurship Community”―a network of next-generation leaders with a venture mindset. Together, these efforts will drive the full-scale development of the KAiGO Ecosystem.
KAiGOpreneurship Community
A community designed to cultivate innovative solutions led by next-generation leaders with a venture mindset, who envision the future of Japan’s globally respected nursing care and welfare systems.
■ About International KAiGO Festival 2025
KAiGO PRiDE, a general incorporated association dedicated to enhancing the appeal and solving challenges in Japan’s care industry, organized the large-scale conference “International KAiGO Festival 2025” (IKF). The event brought together stakeholders from government, business, and society to explore how Japan’s nursing care can drive social and business transformation.
Event Dates: February 20 (Thu) – 21 (Fri), 2025
Venue: Le Hall Togo @ Harajuku (1-4-20 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo – Park Court Jingumae)
■ Background and Significance
Japan is facing a rapid aging crisis, with one in three people aged 65 or older. This demographic shift demands transformation across all sectors―including healthcare, workforce, daily services, and infrastructure.
Notably:
There is a reported shortage of 570,000 care workers, and over 2 million people are at risk of becoming “care refugees” in the near future.
The country will require 3.18 million business caregivers by 2030, and the projected economic loss due to care-related challenges could reach 9 trillion yen.
Amid this landscape, the Silver Economy is projected to grow into a 100-trillion-yen market. For businesses, strengthening well-being and driving innovation in care and welfare is essential―not only for sustainability but also for economic growth. This requires active engagement from both the public and private sectors.
■ Purpose of IKF
To address these pressing issues, International KAiGO Festival (IKF) was launched as a platform that brings together startups, corporations, policymakers, investors, and care professionals. The event aims to foster next-generation business models, accelerate technological innovation, and facilitate cross-sector collaboration.
Through this network of diverse stakeholders, the festival promotes an ecosystem-wide approach to innovation in nursing care.
■ A Platform for Innovation and Incubation
As an incubation hub, IKF also serves as a space to gather global ideas, support startups, and generate new businesses. By fully leveraging the potential of the Silver Economy, IKF is paving the way for sustainable, scalable business models that will underpin the future of corporate growth.
■ Event Summary
A global conference from Japan, a leader in care innovation―reimagining society and business through nursing care.
Government, business, and social leaders―including the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare―joined forces to envision the future of care.
→ Special Website:https://kaigopride.jp/ikf2025
Opening Session
On Day 1, February 20, the opening session featured key speakers including Yutaka Yokomizo, Assistant Director of the Office for Securing Welfare Human Resources at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
The session began with opening remarks from Manjot Bedi, the representative of KAiGO PRiDE, who shared his vision for the silver market. Junya Ishimoto, a board member, spoke about the project’s mission, emphasizing the need to reshape public perceptions of care work.
Mr. Yokomizo highlighted the challenges related to career development for care professionals and stressed the importance of promoting the value and appeal of welfare and nursing care professions.
The first talk session, themed “The Evolution of Aging”, was facilitated by Takeshi Higuchi, Executive Officer at Renaissance Inc.
Speakers from the Healthcare Industries Division, Commerce and Service Group, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry—Reisei Mizuguchi and Shunto Numazawa—shared notable examples:
A public-private partnership in Toyoake City, Aichi Prefecture, where collaboration with private businesses and non-insurance services led to increased customer spending in local retail.
The “Orange Innovation Project,” where people living with dementia were involved in product development processes.
They also reframed Japan’s 7 million individuals requiring care/support and 10 million with dementia or mild cognitive impairment as an untapped market and capital base, underscoring the potential for new value creation in the care sector.
Talk Session Vol.2: “KAiGO X INVESTMENT”
In the session titled “KAiGO X INVESTMENT,”
Hideki Yoshimura, Managing Partner of MIDAS Capital, and Junnosuke Isshiki, CEO of Zest, Inc., emphasized that “other companies are not competitors, but allies.”
They shared insights into other industry-leading players and expressed high expectations for new entrants into the field.
The session reframed aging as an opportunity―not only to solve challenges in the care and welfare sectors, but also to drive business growth.
With diverse perspectives brought by guests from various sectors in the following talk sessions, the event offered a glimpse of Japan’s potential to become a global leader in the silver economy.
DAY 2 – February 21, 2025
On February 21, speakers included Satoshi Ono from the Healthcare Industries Division, Commerce and Service Group, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Mr. Ono discussed the economic impact of family caregiving, the importance of supporting the balance between work and caregiving, and the growing potential of the Silver Economy.
The day’s talk sessions began with a keynote by Masataka Uo, Representative Director of the Japan Fundraising Association, a certified non-profit organization.
His session, titled “Fundraising for Uncompromising Welfare: A Future Born from Empathy,” explored the role of empathy in generating funding and solutions, emphasizing the importance of “empathy × action.”
He spoke about the transformative power of empathy-based giving―not only enriching the lives of care recipients, but also bringing happiness to those who support them.
The session concluded with a compelling message: a future where caregivers and their supporters alike can find joy through connection.
In the session led by Takashi Yuki, CEO of Monakaya Inc.,
he shared successful case studies on how care DX (digital transformation) has improved operations and created more time for direct caregiving.
He also discussed the future of services aimed at visualizing care sites, preventing hospitalizations, and supporting early discharge.
The closing session featured the official announcement of the launch of the “KAiGOpreneurship Community.”
The event concluded on a high note with a vibrant collaboration between “LiNK WALK,” a fashion walk featuring care workers and seniors, and the “KIDS RUNWAY.”
Including the other talk sessions, the event as a whole showcased a strong sense of hope from Japan―standing at the forefront of a super-aged society and drawing global attention.
The “KAiGO DESIGN AWARD 2025” was held to recognize businesses transforming the future of care.
KAiGO DESIGN AWARD 2025
The KAiGO DESIGN AWARD 2025, a business pitch contest recognizing innovations that aim to transform the future of care, was held for the first time.
The award ceremony took place during the International KAiGO Festival 2025, held on February 20–21, 2025, a conference dedicated to reimagining society and business through the lens of care.
The contest called for submissions nationwide, inviting entries in four categories that reflect the diverse aspects of care:
Product Design
Business Ideas
Creative Content
Fashion & Makeup
A total of 55 entries were received from across Japan. On February 21, three finalists in the Business Ideas category delivered their final pitches on stage at the International KAiGO Festival 2025.
After the final judging, the Best Awards and Excellence Awards in each category were announced, followed by a formal award ceremony and prize presentation.
Award-Winning Ideas by Category
▶︎ Product Design Category
Best Award
Magic Shields Inc.
“No More Fractures from Falls!? A Safer Future with ‘Koroyawa’ – The Magical Flooring”
― Hiroshi Shimomura, CEO
Excellence Award
Dentsu Inc.
“VOICE WATCH”
― Kazuhiro Shimura, 4th CR Planning Division
Hiroshi Shimomura, CEO, Magic Shields Inc.
Kazuhiro Shimura, Dentsu Inc.
Business Ideas Category
Best Award
Masaki Shimizu, Representative, Travel Care Fukuoka LLC
“A Guided Travel Service with Dementia-Friendly Support – Led by Those Living with Dementia”
Excellence Award
Nozomi Tanabe, Representative Director, General Incorporated Association vitamin G
“Totonoya: A Farmhouse Inn Where Guests Discover ‘Rehabilitation for Enjoyment’”
Special Award
Daijiro Ryu, CEO, Ryu Cleaning Co., Ltd.
“From Staffed to Unstaffed: A New Era of 24/7, Fully Automated Cleaning Service Counters”
Masaki Shimizu, Representative, Travel Care Fukuoka LLC
Nozomi Tanabe, Representative Director, General Incorporated Association vitamin G
Daijiro Ryu, CEO, Ryu Cleaning Co., Ltd.
Creative Content Category
Best Award
Rin Miura
“Rin Acces”: Eye-Gaze-Controlled Art Design Accessories
[Features Article – Iwate Nippo]
Excellence Award
Shuhei Nezu
Photo Exhibition: “The Elderly and the Dahlia”
Fashion & Makeup Category
Best Award
Fuji Knit Co., Ltd.
“keamu”: Carewear Woven from a Mother’s Smile
Rin Miura
Shuhei Nezu
Yoko Kiyohara, Fuji Knit Co., Ltd.
Comments from the Jury
Manjot Bedi
Representative Director, General Incorporated Association KAiGO PRiDE
We are truly honored and delighted to have received so many submissions from across Japan for our very first award recognizing products, services, and ideas that aim to transform the world of care.
This award was born from our desire to shine a spotlight on those who are taking bold steps to answer a fundamental question:
“How can we help people live in a way that’s true to themselves?”
We believe Japan’s world-class care and welfare systems can serve as a powerful starting point for innovation.
To all the winners―congratulations!
Your bold ideas are not only inspiring, but also have the potential to become catalysts for a new kind of economy.
The KAiGO DESIGN AWARD, launched this year, will continue to grow and evolve in the years ahead.
Through this award, we hope to see even more challengers emerge in Japan―and around the world.