Publication of the Shiseido Child Welfare Foundation's '50th (2025) Shiseido Child Welfare Overseas Training Report'

The Shiseido Child Welfare Foundation (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation, located in Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President: Yoshihiro Shiojima; hereinafter 'Shiseido Child Welfare Foundation') has published a report on the '50th Shiseido Child Welfare Overseas Training' conducted in November 2025, and made it available on its official website.

This training program provides opportunities for practitioners working in child welfare facilities in Japan to learn about advanced child welfare systems and practices around the world. A total of 750 participants have joined the training so far, producing many leaders driving the child welfare sector in Japan. For the 50th iteration in fiscal 2025, the team visited Quebec, Canada, for the first time in 20 years.

■ Overview of the 50th (2025) Shiseido Child Welfare Overseas Training

Training Location
Quebec, Canada

Training Participants
10 people: 1 Head of Delegation (University Hospital Doctor), 1 Special Lecturer (Lawyer), 8 Delegation Members working in child welfare facilities (3 from children's homes, 2 from child self-reliance support facilities, 1 from child psychological treatment facility, 2 from child and family support centers)

Training Period
① Travel Training: November 1 (Sat) - 9 (Sun), 2025
② Remote Training: November 17 (Mon), 2025

Training Themes
① Practices and challenges in protecting children's rights
② Realities of preventative support through multi-sector collaboration
③ Systems and practices of social care

■ Main Topics of the Report: Learning 'The Best Interests of the Child' from Quebec
In this training, we delved into the systems and practices of Quebec, which has built a comprehensive support structure integrating health and welfare, centered on children's rights and 'stability' (stabilité).

Support for youth independence and social participation: Observed support hubs that youth can use for free without an appointment. Examined support models that respect the autonomy of the parties involved, such as the 'Youth Committee' system where youth are involved in management.

One-stop support for children victims of sexual abuse: Observed a support site where police, medical, and welfare services are provided within the same facility. Reported on scientifically-based programs that prevent secondary victimization for supporters and support children's recovery.

Operation of the Joint Custody System* and reflecting children's will: Trained on the joint custody system, which has been legislated since 1977. Introduced the criteria used to determine how a child's intentions are reflected in trials and support policy decisions. (*Scheduled for introduction in Japan in 2026)

Social care according to care needs: Practical reports on accompaniment support by multi-disciplinary teams in diverse living environments, ranging from group homes to advanced treatment units.

■ Voices of Training Participants
Passionate thoughts have been received from the training participants, such as:
'Through dialogue with professionals active in the field, it became a valuable opportunity to reconsider our very "gaze" towards children and families.'
'I reaffirmed the importance of systems that continue to provide support within the community.'

■ Structure and Access Method of the Report
2025 50th Shiseido Child Welfare Overseas Training Report ~Quebec, Canada Report~

Chapter I: Training Report by Head of Delegation and Special Lecturer
Proposals regarding the collaboration of medicine and welfare by Dr. Hiroshi Yamashita (Project Associate Professor, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Kyushu University Hospital), and comparative observations on the joint custody systems in Japan and Quebec by Ms. Kaori Fujita (Lawyer).

Chapter II: Quebec, Canada Observation Report
Reports on visits to a total of 20 locations, including provincial administrative and judicial bodies, specialized maternal and child hospitals, specialized sexual abuse support agencies, youth support agencies, social care facilities, and indigenous women's support agencies.

Chapter III: Learnings from the Training by 8 Delegation Members
Details insights gained from the training and future prospects from the perspective of practitioners, such as 'respecting diversity' in a multicultural society and the pursuit of a child's 'stability' (stabilité).

[How to View] The PDF is available on the Shiseido Child Welfare Foundation official website.
https://www.shiseido-zaidan.or.jp/info/news/20260416.html

■ About the Shiseido Child Welfare Foundation
The Shiseido Child Welfare Foundation was established in April 1972 as a project commemorating the 100th anniversary of Shiseido Co., Ltd., with the aim of returning profits to society. Under the vision of 'To a society where all children are full of smiles and shine as themselves' and the mission to 'Connect with like-minded peers and support children's strength to live', it engages in unique activities based on three pillars.
1. 'Support for Children': Empowering the futures of children living in social care through independence support and higher education advancement support.
2. 'Support for Staff Nurturing Children': Providing training opportunities and grants for activities to enhance the expertise of those involved in child welfare, such as facility staff and foster parents.
3. 'Information Dissemination and Sharing for the General Public': Activities supporting local child-rearing families and addressing child abuse for the healthy growth of all children.