SMS

What SMS does

SMS Co., Ltd. (TYO:2175) is a Tokyo-headquartered digital platform operator that has built a comprehensive information infrastructure for Japan's aging society across four domestic business domains — Career (healthcare professional recruitment and community), Care/Disability Welfare Operators (SaaS and matching services), Healthcare (corporate wellness and remote health guidance), and Senior Life (end-of-life and elderly services matching) — supplemented by international operations spanning 17 countries through the MIMS Group medical information platform.

The company's core products include the Kaipoke subscription SaaS platform serving care and disability welfare operators (insurance claims processing plus 40+ integrated services, adopted by 7,000+ visiting nurse stations representing roughly one-third of Japan), the Nurse Senka community platform (~1.5M cumulative members) driving recruitment and content engagement, Kabenashi cloud and recruitment services for the disability welfare vertical, and a portfolio of matching/lead-generation services (Hapisumu, Ansinkaigo, Ansinsougi, Raifudo) connecting elderly consumers with service providers. Technology stack is primarily a multi-sided matching and SaaS platform with AI features layered on top, including ChatGPT-based regulatory search (Kabenashi AI) and AI-assisted documentation via partner Welmo. International operations center on MIMS (acquired 2015) providing pharmaceutical information and global healthcare recruitment across APAC, the Middle East, and Europe.

SMS generates revenue through a mix of transaction-based recruitment/placement fees, recurring SaaS subscriptions (Kaipoke, Kabenashi Cloud), referral/affiliate commissions on matched senior life services, and enterprise contracts for corporate wellness and remote health guidance. The company sells primarily through owned digital platforms and direct enterprise sales, supported by 15 domestic offices and major annual events (Nurse Fest, Kabenashi Forum). SMS faces material governance and profitability challenges: FY2026 revenue of ¥64,735M was offset by a ¥14,317M net loss driven by a ¥22.9B overseas business impairment, a 50% market cap decline from 2022 peak, and an ongoing activist campaign from Oasis Management (18.3% stake) that prompted a January 2026 presidential transition and a June 2026 board overhaul.

Name

SMS

Legal name

株式会社エス・エム・エス

Website

https://bm-sms.co.jp

Company type

Public

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

SMS Co., Ltd. is a Tokyo-headquartered digital platform operator that builds information infrastructure for Japan's aging society, operating multi-sided marketplaces and SaaS tools across healthcare professional recruitment, care/disability welfare operator services, corporate wellness, and senior life matching — with international reach across 17 countries via the MIMS Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Information Platforms

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518), Human Resources Consulting Services (541612), Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (62331)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Resources, Social Services & Transportation Coordination (HLADALAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Care Navigation & Service Coordination (Medical, Social, Community) (HSABAIAB), Benefits, Insurance & Long-Term Care Planning Navigation (Medicare/Medicaid/LTC) (HLADALAI), Medical Information Services (MI Contact Centers) (HLAGALAE), Family Communication, Care Updates & Scheduling Support (HSABAAAK)

Keywords

• Healthcare staffing platforms
• Care operator SaaS
• Disability welfare services
• Senior life matching
• Medical information platforms

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices15 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Recruitment/placement fees: SMS earns placement fees by matching healthcare and care professionals (nurses, care workers, pharmacists, physicians, therapists, childcare workers, etc.) with hospitals, clinics, nursing care operators, and other employers. Services include Nurse Senka Tensi (nurse recruitment), Kaigo Job Agent (care worker placement), and specialized placement services across 15+ professional categories. Fees are typically success-based upon placement completion.
2. SaaS subscription (Kaipoke): Kaipoke is a subscription-based cloud platform for nursing and disability welfare care operators. It provides insurance claims processing and 40+ integrated services (operations, recruiting, purchasing, finance, M&A support). Revenue is recurring, subscription-based with tiered pricing. Over 7,000 visiting nurse stations use Kaipoke Houmon Kango.
3. SaaS subscription (Kabenashi Cloud): Kabenashi Cloud provides disability welfare operators with all-in-one support planning, record-keeping, and electronic signature tools. Revenue is recurring subscription-based, sold both independently and as part of the integrated disability employment support service bundle.
4. Content/education services and e-learning: SMS operates educational content platforms including Kurohon (exam reference books, now free), Kaigo Job Academy (training schools for care workers), Nurse Senka community content, and e-learning through the Kabenashi partnership with Lean on Me (2,000+ video contents). Revenue includes both direct sales and partnership-based access fees.
5. Matching/lead generation and referral commissions: SMS operates matching platforms for senior life services including Hapisumu (remodeling company referral), Ansinkaigo (senior housing referrals), Raifudo (elderly meal delivery), and Ansinsougi (funeral director referral). Revenue is generated through referral commissions and lead generation fees from matched service providers.
6. Enterprise wellness/health management services: Remote specific health guidance services and remote occupational health support services provided to corporations and health insurance associations. Revenue is contract-based, typically annual subscriptions per employee or per plan tier.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

SMS Co., Ltd. is a publicly listed Japanese information infrastructure provider for the aging society, operating 40+ services across four strategic business domains: Career (nurse/care worker recruitment platforms), Care/Disability Welfare Operators (Kaipoke and Kabenashi Cloud SaaS for business management), Healthcare (remote health guidance and occupational health services for corporations and health insurance associations), and Senior Life (matching platforms for housing, funerals, home remodeling, and meal delivery). The company also runs international operations through MIMS Group covering 17 countries and regions, providing Asia-Pacific medical information platforms and cross-border healthcare recruitment.

Product overview

SMS Co., Ltd. operates a multi-platform information infrastructure for Japan's aging society across four domestic strategic business domains (Career, Care/Welfare Operators, Healthcare, Senior Life) plus international operations. The core offerings include カイبوك (Kaipoke), a subscription cloud platform for care/welfare business management with 40+ service functions including insurance claims processing, and ナース専科, a comprehensive nursing community platform with career services. The かべなし brand provides disability welfare support including cloud software, recruitment, and corporate employment consulting. Senior life services include housing, funeral, meal delivery, and remodeling matching platforms. International operations through MIMS provide APAC-optimized medical platforms and global healthcare recruitment services across 17 countries. The portfolio comprises over 40 distinct services addressing healthcare workforce shortages, care/welfare operator management challenges, worker health management, and elderly life planning needs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• カイポケ (KaiPoke): Nursing and disability welfare operator management support SaaS platform offering 40+ services including insurance billing, operations, recruitment, purchasing, finance, and M&A support.
• ナース専科
• カイゴジョブ
• かべなし (Kabenashi)
• ナースフェス
• ハピすむ (Hapisumu)
• 安心介護
• 安心葬礼
• エイチエ (Eichie)
• 国試黒本
• MIMS

Products and services

• Kaipoke (カイポケ) Subscription-based cloud platform providing business management support for care and disability welfare operators across Japan, offering insurance claims processing (kaigo hoken), operations, recruitment, purchasing, finance, and M&A services across 40+ integrated functions. Used by over 7,000 visiting nurse stations (~1/3 of all in Japan).
• Nurse Senka (ナース専科) Comprehensive nursing community platform offering discussion forums, expert Q&A, nursing/medical news, national exam preparation resources, employment matching, and job search services for nurses, nursing students, and other healthcare professionals.
• Nurse Senka Tensi (ナース専科 転職) Nurse-focused personnel introduction service providing job matching with dedicated career partners who assist from interview preparation through employment.
• Kaigo Job (カイゴジョブ) Job posting platform for care workers connecting job seekers with care facilities and operators across Japan.
• Kaigo Job Agent (カイゴジョブエージェント) Care worker personnel introduction service with dedicated career partners providing comprehensive support from job applications through onboarding and retention.
• Kaigo Job Academy (カイゴジョブアカデミー) Training school for care workers offering certification courses including initial training and practical training programs, supporting career development from entry-level to advanced qualifications.
• Kabenashi for Business (かべなし 法人向け障害者雇用支援サービス) Corporate disability employment support service including consulting, recruitment matching, training, and retention support for companies seeking to establish or expand internal disability employment, packaged under the Kabenashi brand.
• Kabenashi Cloud (かべなしクラウド) All-in-one business support system for disability welfare operators offering care planning, record-keeping, and electronic signature functions.
• Kabenashi Kyujin Navi (かべなし求人ナビ) Disability-focused recruitment matching service connecting job seekers with disabilities to appropriate employers.
• Ansinkaigo (安心介護) Community platform for families dealing with eldercare providing peer support, expert advice, and information resources.
• Ansinkaigo Shokai Center (安心介護紹介センター) Senior housing introduction service matching elderly individuals with appropriate care facilities including fee-based homes and service-supported senior housing; lists approximately 250,000 facilities nationwide.
• Ansinsougi (安心葬儀) Funeral service matching service connecting families with funeral operators based on style, budget, and religious preferences.
• Hapisumu (ハピすむ) Remodeling company matching service for seniors providing consultations and introductions to suitable contractors for housing improvement needs.
• Raifudo (らいふーど) Meal delivery service matching for elderly individuals, connecting those with dietary restrictions or nutritional needs to appropriate providers.
• Tokutei Hoken Shido Service (特定保健指導サービス / 遠隔チャット指導) Remote health guidance service providing nutritional counseling through chat by registered dietitians, supporting metabolic syndrome prevention for health insurance associations (kenpo) and corporate wellness programs.
• Remote Sangyo Hoken (リモート産業保健) Corporate occupational health support service providing physician visits, stress check implementation, and health committee setup with dual support from occupational physician and nurse.
• Kurohon (国試黒本) Exam preparation textbooks and study materials for medical practitioners (acupuncturists, moxibustion practitioners, judo rehabilitators), with cumulative publication of approximately 230,000 copies; expanded into a comprehensive media platform.
• MIMS Asia-Pacific optimized medical platform providing pharmaceutical information services, drug dictionary, medical content, and marketing support for healthcare companies across 17 countries and regions.
• Global Career (グローバルキャリア) Global healthcare worker supply platform connecting medical institutions with professionals across countries (cross-border) and domestically, covering UK, Germany, Ireland, Australia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, USA, and Asia-Pacific.
• Eichie (エイチエ) Community and recruitment platform for dietitians and nutritionists providing job postings, menu sharing, Q&A forums, and career support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 7,000 visiting nurse stations (1/3 of all in Japan) use Kaipoke Houmon Kango, representing significant market penetration
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Welmo Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026SMS entered a strategic partnership with Welmo Inc., a DX solution provider for the care industry. The partnership integrates Welmo's AI summarization and RPA capabilities with SMS's Kaipoke management platform, enabling record task reduction of up to 95%. The collaboration aims to create more time for care work (ケアに向き合う時間) by automating documentation processes for nursing care operators.
• Lean on Me Co., Ltd.coreTechnology or Integration · 1 February 2026SMS partnered with Lean on Me Co., Ltd. to launch online training services for the disability welfare sector starting February 2026. The services, branded under SMS's 'Kabenashi' name and powered by Lean on Me's 'Special Learning' e-learning platform, provide over 2,000 video contents covering disability types, abuse prevention, and workplace accommodations. The partnership addresses chronic staffing shortages in disability welfare offices and improves retention of employees with disabilities.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• M3, Inc. M3 operates m3.com, Japan's largest medical professional platform serving physicians, with adjacent career services for doctors and pharmacists. SMS's M3 Career joint venture and overlap in healthcare professional matching make it the most directly comparable domestic peer.
• Asobo System Co., Ltd. Asobo System provides management support SaaS and HR services specifically for nursing care operators in Japan, directly competing with Kaipoke for the same operator customer base with overlapping claims-processing and recruitment workflows.
• Medley, Inc. Medley runs JobMedley (medical/nursing/career recruitment) and CLINICS (telemedicine), directly competing with Nurse Senka and Kaipoke in the healthcare workforce and care operator SaaS segments. Closest listed pure-play comparable in Japan.
• CareNet, Inc. CareNet runs CareNet.com, a medical information platform serving physicians, with adjacent pharmaceutical marketing and clinical trial services. Comparable to MIMS as a healthcare professional content/data business in Japan.

Broad incumbents

• Recruit Holdings: Recruit operates Indeed Japan, Rikunabi, and broader HR/staffing platforms at massive scale. While not focused on healthcare/care, its domestic recruitment platforms compete for the same nurses, care workers, and operators that SMS serves.
• Benefit One Inc. Benefit One provides corporate welfare and health management outsourcing including specific health guidance services under Japan's metabolic syndrome prevention mandate — directly overlapping SMS's healthcare/corporate wellness vertical.
• Indeed (Japan): Indeed Japan competes for organic job-seeker traffic in nursing and care worker categories, pressuring SMS's owned-media traffic economics. A horizontal jobs aggregator with overlapping audience but lacking healthcare-specific vertical depth.

Emerging players

• Job Adder / HealthcareSource (overseas parallels): HealthcareSource provides talent management SaaS for healthcare organizations in the US, with comparable placement, onboarding, and credentialing workflows to SMS's Kaipoke and Nurse Senka, useful as international product benchmark.
• Allied Architects, Inc. Allied Architects operates healthcare-focused SaaS and matching services including kakari.jp (medical institution SaaS) and medical personnel placement. Smaller and narrower than SMS but with overlapping healthcare platform DNA.

Regional players

• ManpowerGroup (Japan operations): ManpowerGroup's Japan staffing business includes healthcare and nursing placement, positioning it as a foreign incumbent competing with SMS's Nurse Senka Tensi and Kaigo Job Agent in the professional placement segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sms-co-ltd

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors9 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A3 records

Investments5 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SMS