Japan to Send Team to 48th WorldSkills Competition
Overview
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare will send a 56-occupation, 63-member Japanese team to the 48th WorldSkills Competition, held in Shanghai, China, from September 22 to 27, 2026. The team will hold a formation ceremony on September 17 and is scheduled to have an audience with Their Imperial Highnesses the Imperial Heir and his Consort and His Imperial Highness Prince Hisahito, as well as pay a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, on September 18. Approximately 1,400 participants from about 70 countries and regions, including Japan, are expected to compete in 64 occupations.
Key points
- A Japanese team of 63 people will be sent in 56 occupations.
- The competition will be held in Shanghai, China, from September 22 to 27.
- Approximately 1,400 participants from about 70 countries and regions are expected to compete in 64 occupations.
- A formation ceremony is scheduled for September 17, followed on September 18 by an audience with Their Imperial Highnesses the Imperial Heir and his Consort and His Imperial Highness Prince Hisahito, and a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
Overview
The WorldSkills Competition is the only world-level skills competition for young skilled workers in a wide range of occupations; participants are generally 22 or younger, while some occupations are open to those 25 or younger.
The competition is held every two years to promote vocational training, improve skill levels, and foster international exchange and goodwill among skilled workers. Japan has participated since 1962.
The Japanese representatives were selected from gold medalists and others who competed in the 63rd National Skills Competition, held mainly in Aichi Prefecture in October 2025.
Impact
With the 49th WorldSkills Competition in 2028, to be held in Aichi, Japan, approaching, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare will work to broaden the base of young skilled workers through initiatives including the implementation of various skills competitions.
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare will work to build momentum for treating skills as more socially valuable.
Details
Before departing on September 19, the team will hold a formation ceremony at Hotel Monterey Hanzomon on September 17. On September 18, it is scheduled to have an audience with Their Imperial Highnesses the Imperial Heir and his Consort and His Imperial Highness Prince Hisahito, as well as pay a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
Advance registration is required for media coverage. For details of the formation ceremony and courtesy visit, see Attachment 3. The list of Japanese representatives is provided in Attachment 1, and an overview of the WorldSkills Competition is provided in Attachment 2.
The competition will be held in Shanghai, the People's Republic of China, and participants from countries and regions including Japan will compete.