November Is Human Resources Development Month

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare designates November as Human Resources Development Month and November 10 as Skills Day to promote the development and improvement of vocational abilities and the advancement of skills. During the month, the national and prefectural governments and others hold events throughout Japan to showcase technical capabilities.

The month and Skills Day were established to commemorate the first WorldSkills International Competition held in Asia, which took place in Tokyo in November 1970, with its opening ceremony held on November 10. The competition is scheduled to return to Aichi in 2028, 21 years later, and a National Reskilling Movement for All Generations is underway, designating the three years until the event as an intensive action period.

November 1 through 10 is designated as the Intensive Period for Promoting Human Resources Development for Persons with Disabilities, supporting participation in vocational training and, after completion, employment and workplace retention. Since FY 1997, related measures have been publicized in a concentrated effort each year through activities such as open days at vocational ability development schools for persons with disabilities.

The Outstanding Skilled Workers (Contemporary Master Craftsmen) awards recognize exceptional active skilled workers who are considered role models for other skilled workers and who have contributed to improving workers' welfare and advancing industry through their skills. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare will hold the ceremony on November 9 at the RIHGA Royal Hotel Tokyo.

On November 19 at Meiji Kinenkan, awards will be presented to workplaces, organizations, and individuals who have contributed to promoting accredited vocational training, skills testing, and skills development, as well as to winners of the Vocational Training Materials Competition. The organizers are the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the Japan Vocational Ability Development Association, and the Japan Organization for Employment of the Elderly, Persons with Disabilities and Job Seekers.

The participatory kickoff forum on November 26 aims to build momentum for the national movement and increase each person's motivation to improve their skills, as well as companies' commitment to workforce development. It is hosted by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare at Kudan Kaikan Terrace. The PTU Forum will take place on November 27 and 28 at the Polytechnic University, where participants will present and discuss research findings and vocational training case studies. A livestream can be viewed by registering in advance.

A dedicated website for the national movement will launch in November, presenting a range of content and providing centralized information to encourage interest in reskilling and prompt concrete action. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has also prepared a human resources development support measures leaflet for people seeking to improve their skills or develop their careers, and for business owners (October 2026 edition).