Key Facts
• Prime Minister Takaiichi announced measures to improve the caregiving sector.
• Expert Tomoya Sudo expressed optimism about advancing the revision timeline.
• Rising costs and wages have strained small caregiving businesses.
• Caregiving fees were last increased by 1.59% in the previous revision.
• Supplemental budget approval in January 2025 could enable subsidies by February–March 2025.
• Government plans to consider early revision of caregiving fees in fiscal year 2026.
• Current system limits price adjustments due to fixed public pricing.
• Next official caregiving fee revision is scheduled for 2027.
Summary
Prime Minister Takaiichi’s proposed improvements to the caregiving sector aim to address challenges faced by small caregiving businesses amid rising costs and wages. Expert Tomoya Sudo highlighted the potential benefits of advancing the revision timeline, which could alleviate financial pressures. The last caregiving fee increase of 1.59% occurred during the previous revision, and the next official update is set for 2027. However, the government is considering an early revision in fiscal year 2026. If the supplemental budget is approved in January 2025, subsidies could begin as early as February–March 2025. The current system, which relies on fixed public pricing, complicates the ability to adjust service fees. These measures reflect the government’s commitment to supporting the caregiving sector during challenging economic conditions.
