Japan's nursing homes plunge into deficit for first time

TOKYO, Nov 11 (News On Japan) - Profit margins for special nursing homes in Japan have hit negative territory, diving to minus 1 percent for the first time since the introduction of the nursing care insurance system in April 2000.

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on Friday announced the results of a survey on the management status of nursing care service providers for the last fiscal year.

Special nursing homes, designed to provide long-term care for elderly individuals who require constant nursing care and assistance, recorded an average profit margin of -1%, and long-term care health facilities -1.1%, marking the first deficit since the start of the "kaigo rōjin hoken shisetsu", or nursing care insurance scheme.

The deficit is attributed to the rising cost of utilities and food.

by Brian Dentry

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