The care gap and Japan's aging population

I read an article this morning via the Japan Times, which covered a recent nationwide survey by the Nippon Careservice Craft Union (NCCU) highlighting growing issues in Japan’s home care sector. Nearly 90% of providers have turned away clients due to chronic staff shortages, which is not only preventing elderly individuals from accessing care, but triggering revenue losses across the industry and forcing families to step in where professionals are unavailable.

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This crisis raises a pressing question of who will provide the hands-on support needed to care for Japan’s elderly population. For the international community here, this situation reinforces a truth that we are all likely aware of -- Japan’s future stability increasingly depends on its openness to skilled immigration. Recruiting and retaining trained care workers from abroad, including through targeted visa programs and proper integration support, is likely a key component to sustaining Japan’s long-term care system.

This article from 2024 notes that there were 8600 foreign nationals cleared to do home visits for elderly people, but it seems like that really needs to increase, and fast. 

How do you think Japan can incentivize more people to work in the aged care industry here, whether they are Japanese or international citizens?