Monthly Fees at Nursing Homes Have 'Become Higher Than at Move-in' for Over 1 in 4 People
A survey by 'Caresul Kaigo,' a nursing home search website operated by Speee Inc., has revealed that user fees at nursing facilities are rising due to inflation. The survey, targeting individuals with family members currently residing in facilities, found that over one in four (26.4%) are paying more than when they moved in, and about 40% have received a price hike notification. The main reason cited is the rise in prices and utility costs, with 34.48% considering moving out due to the financial burden. With an additional burden increase from a national system revision scheduled, the financial strain on families receiving care is growing.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 29, 2026 at 15:30
- 🔍 Collected: June 1, 2026 at 03:30 (60h 0m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 2, 2026 at 08:09 (28h 38m after Collected)
Speee Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Hideki Otsuka; TSE Standard: 4499), which operates the nursing home search and review site 'Caresul Kaigo' (https://caresul-kaigo.jp/), conducted a questionnaire survey targeting individuals with relatives or family members currently residing in nursing homes. The survey aimed to clarify how user fees at these facilities have changed amid prolonged inflation and the impact on residents and their families. Additionally, an analysis of the company's accumulated telephone interview records (experiences and user reviews) was conducted to understand the reality of the financial burden.
The survey results showed that when comparing the monthly fees presented by the facility at the time of admission with the current actual monthly payments, 26.4% of families experienced an increase in costs after moving in. Furthermore, 39.35% of families (n=493) had been notified of a price increase by the facility, indicating that structural cost rises are a factor that cannot be absorbed by the facility's management efforts alone.
[Survey Result Summary]
Comparing the quoted amount at move-in with the current payment amount, more than one in four families (26.4%) saw an increase in monthly fees (n=379). The fee remained the same for 57.0% of families, while it decreased for 16.6%. The independent tally confirmed that actual payments are increasing, regardless of whether a price hike was 'notified'. About 40% of families (39.35% / n=493) had experience being notified of a price increase, with 61.86% of these notifications occurring within the last year. Among those notified (n=194), 34.02% received their first notice within the last six months, indicating that the price hikes are concentrated in the recent period rather than being a cumulative trend over several years. The most frequently explained reason for the increase was 'rising prices and utility costs' at 60.31%, followed by 'rising food and daily necessity prices' at 48.97%. Other reasons included 'personnel costs and staff wage increases' (36.08%) and 'rising import costs due to the weak yen' (25.77%). 'Impact of Middle East situation and rising crude oil prices' was also cited by 14.43%, suggesting that indirect effects linked to oil prices and a volatile Middle East are beginning to ripple through to the nursing care sector. A total of 34.48% of families (n=493) had considered or executed a move or withdrawal for financial reasons (including burdens other than price hikes), with 11.76% having actually left or planning to leave. Telephone interviews confirmed specific descriptions such as 'we could no longer pay within the pension' and 'we are drawing down our assets'.
Topic 1: More than 1 in 4 families (26.4%) saw monthly fees rise after moving in
A comparison of the monthly fees quoted by the facility at move-in and the current actual payments for 379 cases where specific amounts were provided revealed that 100 cases (26.4%) saw an increase. This figure is thought to include not only explicit price hike notifications but also factors like changes in the level of care required and the addition of optional services. The key point is the fact that the amount households are actually paying is increasing.
Interviews confirmed a case where a family, despite being satisfied with the facility's services and staff, decided to move after a monthly fee increase of 10,000 yen made long-term payment difficult on their father's pension income. Moves prompted not by dissatisfaction with services but purely because 'the household budget could no longer sustain the facility's price hike' were repeatedly confirmed, highlighting a structure where the accumulation of small price increases threatens household financial sustainability.
Topic 2: 40% of families received price hike notifications, with 'rising prices and utility costs' being the top reason at 60%
When asked about their experience with 'user fee increase' notifications from facilities, 194 out of 493 families (39.35%) confirmed they had received one. The timing of these notifications was concentrated within the last year (61.86%), revealing that the trend of price hikes is a recent and ongoing phenomenon.
The most common reasons explained by facilities were 'rising prices and utility costs' (60.31%), followed by 'rising food and daily necessity prices' (48.97%), and 'personnel costs and staff wage increases' (36.08%). These top reasons are directly linked to the broader societal trends of inflation and wage pressure. Notably, 14.43% of families were told the reason was the 'impact of the Middle East situation and rising crude oil prices,' suggesting that the effects of import prices are gradually impacting the operating costs of nursing facilities. Many of these are structural cost-push factors that cannot be absorbed by the facility's efforts alone. Since nursing care fees are officially set, the excess costs are ultimately passed on to users and their families.
Topic 3: 1 in 3 families (34.48%) considered or executed a move due to financial burden
When asked if they had considered or executed a move or withdrawal from a facility for financial reasons, 170 out of 493 families (34.48%) had considered it in some form. Furthermore, 58 families (11.76%) had actually moved or were planning to, revealing that about one in eight people are forced to leave a familiar facility due to financial burdens.
An analysis of telephone interview records also showed that financial burden was the primary reason for leaving in 8.6% of cases. Moves were repeatedly confirmed to be due to 'the household no longer being able to afford it,' rather than dissatisfaction with services or staff. A typical pattern involved the rising cost of care due to an increased need for it, combined with an imbalance with pension income, forcing a decision to move to a cheaper facility. This survey suggests the importance of factoring in the 'risk of post-admission fee fluctuations' when choosing a nursing facility.
[Reference] August 2026: National system revision to also raise burden for long-term care insurance facilities
In addition to price hikes by private facilities, an additional burden increase is scheduled under the national system. On March 13, 2026, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced a revision of the burden limits for food and housing costs for residents of long-term care insurance facilities. It will take effect on August 1, 2026, primarily affecting residents in 'Stage 3②'—those in non-taxable households with pension income exceeding 1.2 million yen annually. Food and housing costs (for unit-type private rooms) will each increase by 60 yen per day (approx. 1,800 yen per month). The Ministry cites 'fairness with those living at home' and 'rising facility costs due to inflation' as the reasons for this revision. This means that families of residents in certain income brackets will face two cost-increase pressures simultaneously: the facility's own price hikes and the systemic burden increase.
[Survey Overview]
The survey, titled 'Fact-finding Survey on Fees and Costs for Nursing Home Residents and Families (4th Edition),' was conducted via an online questionnaire from May 13 to 15, 2026, targeting 493 individuals with relatives or family members currently residing in nursing homes. Telephone interview records accumulated by 'Caresul Kaigo' were also used for supplementary analysis.
◼️About Caresul Kaigo
'Caresul Kaigo' is a nursing home search and review site operated by Speee Inc. Its key feature is its unique interview-based reviews, where dedicated interviewers conduct phone interviews with families to provide highly neutral information unaffected by conflicts of interest.
◼️About Speee Inc.
Under its corporate mission 'Exhaust and Evolve. Pull the future closer,' Speee is a company that promotes digital transformation (DX) through a chain of data-driven business development. It operates in a wide range of fields, including legacy industry DX, DX consulting, and financial DX.
The survey results showed that when comparing the monthly fees presented by the facility at the time of admission with the current actual monthly payments, 26.4% of families experienced an increase in costs after moving in. Furthermore, 39.35% of families (n=493) had been notified of a price increase by the facility, indicating that structural cost rises are a factor that cannot be absorbed by the facility's management efforts alone.
[Survey Result Summary]
Comparing the quoted amount at move-in with the current payment amount, more than one in four families (26.4%) saw an increase in monthly fees (n=379). The fee remained the same for 57.0% of families, while it decreased for 16.6%. The independent tally confirmed that actual payments are increasing, regardless of whether a price hike was 'notified'. About 40% of families (39.35% / n=493) had experience being notified of a price increase, with 61.86% of these notifications occurring within the last year. Among those notified (n=194), 34.02% received their first notice within the last six months, indicating that the price hikes are concentrated in the recent period rather than being a cumulative trend over several years. The most frequently explained reason for the increase was 'rising prices and utility costs' at 60.31%, followed by 'rising food and daily necessity prices' at 48.97%. Other reasons included 'personnel costs and staff wage increases' (36.08%) and 'rising import costs due to the weak yen' (25.77%). 'Impact of Middle East situation and rising crude oil prices' was also cited by 14.43%, suggesting that indirect effects linked to oil prices and a volatile Middle East are beginning to ripple through to the nursing care sector. A total of 34.48% of families (n=493) had considered or executed a move or withdrawal for financial reasons (including burdens other than price hikes), with 11.76% having actually left or planning to leave. Telephone interviews confirmed specific descriptions such as 'we could no longer pay within the pension' and 'we are drawing down our assets'.
Topic 1: More than 1 in 4 families (26.4%) saw monthly fees rise after moving in
A comparison of the monthly fees quoted by the facility at move-in and the current actual payments for 379 cases where specific amounts were provided revealed that 100 cases (26.4%) saw an increase. This figure is thought to include not only explicit price hike notifications but also factors like changes in the level of care required and the addition of optional services. The key point is the fact that the amount households are actually paying is increasing.
Interviews confirmed a case where a family, despite being satisfied with the facility's services and staff, decided to move after a monthly fee increase of 10,000 yen made long-term payment difficult on their father's pension income. Moves prompted not by dissatisfaction with services but purely because 'the household budget could no longer sustain the facility's price hike' were repeatedly confirmed, highlighting a structure where the accumulation of small price increases threatens household financial sustainability.
Topic 2: 40% of families received price hike notifications, with 'rising prices and utility costs' being the top reason at 60%
When asked about their experience with 'user fee increase' notifications from facilities, 194 out of 493 families (39.35%) confirmed they had received one. The timing of these notifications was concentrated within the last year (61.86%), revealing that the trend of price hikes is a recent and ongoing phenomenon.
The most common reasons explained by facilities were 'rising prices and utility costs' (60.31%), followed by 'rising food and daily necessity prices' (48.97%), and 'personnel costs and staff wage increases' (36.08%). These top reasons are directly linked to the broader societal trends of inflation and wage pressure. Notably, 14.43% of families were told the reason was the 'impact of the Middle East situation and rising crude oil prices,' suggesting that the effects of import prices are gradually impacting the operating costs of nursing facilities. Many of these are structural cost-push factors that cannot be absorbed by the facility's efforts alone. Since nursing care fees are officially set, the excess costs are ultimately passed on to users and their families.
Topic 3: 1 in 3 families (34.48%) considered or executed a move due to financial burden
When asked if they had considered or executed a move or withdrawal from a facility for financial reasons, 170 out of 493 families (34.48%) had considered it in some form. Furthermore, 58 families (11.76%) had actually moved or were planning to, revealing that about one in eight people are forced to leave a familiar facility due to financial burdens.
An analysis of telephone interview records also showed that financial burden was the primary reason for leaving in 8.6% of cases. Moves were repeatedly confirmed to be due to 'the household no longer being able to afford it,' rather than dissatisfaction with services or staff. A typical pattern involved the rising cost of care due to an increased need for it, combined with an imbalance with pension income, forcing a decision to move to a cheaper facility. This survey suggests the importance of factoring in the 'risk of post-admission fee fluctuations' when choosing a nursing facility.
[Reference] August 2026: National system revision to also raise burden for long-term care insurance facilities
In addition to price hikes by private facilities, an additional burden increase is scheduled under the national system. On March 13, 2026, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced a revision of the burden limits for food and housing costs for residents of long-term care insurance facilities. It will take effect on August 1, 2026, primarily affecting residents in 'Stage 3②'—those in non-taxable households with pension income exceeding 1.2 million yen annually. Food and housing costs (for unit-type private rooms) will each increase by 60 yen per day (approx. 1,800 yen per month). The Ministry cites 'fairness with those living at home' and 'rising facility costs due to inflation' as the reasons for this revision. This means that families of residents in certain income brackets will face two cost-increase pressures simultaneously: the facility's own price hikes and the systemic burden increase.
[Survey Overview]
The survey, titled 'Fact-finding Survey on Fees and Costs for Nursing Home Residents and Families (4th Edition),' was conducted via an online questionnaire from May 13 to 15, 2026, targeting 493 individuals with relatives or family members currently residing in nursing homes. Telephone interview records accumulated by 'Caresul Kaigo' were also used for supplementary analysis.
◼️About Caresul Kaigo
'Caresul Kaigo' is a nursing home search and review site operated by Speee Inc. Its key feature is its unique interview-based reviews, where dedicated interviewers conduct phone interviews with families to provide highly neutral information unaffected by conflicts of interest.
◼️About Speee Inc.
Under its corporate mission 'Exhaust and Evolve. Pull the future closer,' Speee is a company that promotes digital transformation (DX) through a chain of data-driven business development. It operates in a wide range of fields, including legacy industry DX, DX consulting, and financial DX.
FAQ
What are the main reasons for rising costs at nursing homes in Japan?
According to a survey, the most common reasons are 'rising prices and utility costs' (60.31%), followed by 'increased cost of food and daily necessities' (48.97%). These are structural cost increases that facilities cannot absorb on their own.
How are users of Japanese nursing homes responding to the increased financial burden?
About one in three (34.48%) are considering moving or leaving due to the financial burden, and about one in eight (11.76%) have actually left or plan to leave.
Will nursing care costs in Japan continue to rise?
Yes, it is likely. In addition to the trend of price hikes by private facilities, a government system revision is set to increase the burden of food and housing costs for certain income brackets from August 2026.
How many users feel that the cost of their nursing facility has increased?
In a survey by Speee Inc., more than one in four families (26.4%) reported that the monthly fee they are currently paying is higher than the amount quoted at the time of admission.
Where can I get information about the issue of nursing home costs?
On nursing home search and review websites like 'Caresul Kaigo,' operated by Speee Inc. which conducted this survey, you can find user experiences and reviews regarding costs.