New initiatives were introduced this year, including the introduction of the "Hall of Fame" system and the addition of two new categories, "Developmental Support Tools" and "Social Impact.
The BabyTech® Awards Executive Committee is now accepting entries for the BabyTech® Awards 2025-26 ("BTA2025-26"), a contest recognizing outstanding products and services in the fields of pregnancy, childbirth, childcare and childcare.
This year will be the seventh time the event has been held,Strengthening Responses to Social IssuesandEnhanced PR value and ease of applicationThe new initiatives will be implemented with the aim of
To apply for the screening, please visit the BTA2025-26 website.Applications are due by November 28, 2025 at 23:59and early registration of your application will receive a discount on the screening fee.
▶ Download the application guide PDF (2MB)
Judged in a total of 13 categories according to childcare and social issues
This year, we have added two new categories, "Developmental Support Tools" and "Social Impact," for a total of 13 categories for judging.
Developmental Support Tool Section
Technology products and services that contribute to developmental support, understanding of characteristics, and the realization of a symbiotic society, including applications, services, and educational materials that support children with developmental disabilities and gray zone children and their parents and caregivers.
Examples include medical education applications, communication support devices, sensory integration training devices, and digital educational materials for special needs education,Tools and systems to support the development of children with special needsare eligible for the program.
Social Impact Category
Initiatives that have a positive impact on communities, businesses, and society as a whole through childcare and childcare, and supportSystems and services for businesses and organizations.Measures and tools aimed at improving recruitment, retention, and engagement through maternity/paternity leave, promotion of male parental leave, support for returning to work, team work design and evaluation, and childcare support, as well as mechanisms and platforms through digital means to realize a co-educational society through collaboration among companies, local governments, and communities,Support activities and initiatives that "improve society through technology-assisted childcare."The following items are eligible for this program.
Introduction of all 13 divisions
- Feeding and Eating
- Children's Learning and Play
- Safety measures and oversight
- Fertility and Pregnancy
- Health and daily care
- Commemorations, Records and Memories
- Parent Support Services
7-a. Parent Support Services General
7-b. Parent Support Services Career Support - Childcare ICT
8-a. Childcare ICT General
8-b. Childcare ICT Prevention of accidents during childcare - Appliances for childcare and housekeeping
- Developmental Support Tools
- Social Impact
Progression of Judging and Composition of Awards
Upon submission of the screening documents, selection will be made in the following order: first screening, second screening.
(Primary) BabyTech(R) Awards 2025-26 Certified
After screening of documents for each category, products and services that meet certain criteria will be selected as "BTA Certified Products 2025-26 (BTA Selection)".
The initial screening will proceed as needed in the order in which applications are received, and results will be notified in order.
(Secondary) BabyTech(R) Awards 2025-26
Grand Prize and Excellence Award in each category
The "BabyTech® Awards Certified Products" that pass the preliminary screening in each category will be subject to a secondary screening to select the Grand Prize and Excellence Award.
After the sample product/application trial and online presentation, the judges will score each of the judging criteria items (see below) on a 5-point scale, and the total score will be used to calculate the ranking.
In addition to the Grand Prize and Excellence Award in each category by the judges, special awards will be presented by sponsors.
BabyTech(R) Awards Hall of Fame System
Products that have achieved the equivalent of a Special Award, Award of Excellence, or Grand Award three times,BabyTech(R) Awards Hall of Fame inductee."The certification will be granted as a
This system will ensure both opportunities for new leading products to receive awards and continuous recognition and enhanced PR for excellent products.
Hall of Fame product recognition will be on a fee-based annual renewal basis, and the value of the product as a standard BabyTech product will be enhanced and given priority treatment through the provision of a Hall of Fame mark kit with no restrictions on the media in which it is used, publicity support, and sales support.
Application Outline
- Subject of ApplicationAny previous launch or release date until March 31, 2026.IT products, Internet services, applications, services, devices, and appliances in the fields of pregnancy, childbirth, childcare, and childcare that are ready to be used as products or services in the following areas.
- Application periodYear 2025November 28 (Fri.) 23:59to
We offer a discount on the screening fee for early application registration. For more details, please click the button below to view the application guide documents. - How to applyIn previous years, applicants were required to fill out numerous detailed items when applying, but we have changed this year's application process to a two-step process. First, a briefApplication Registration (Phase 1)"After that, the applicant will be required to submit a detailed "Submission of Review Document (Phase 2)".
Application Materials
Application guidelines and registration form can be found below.
- Check the Application Guidelines website.
- Download the Application Guide
- Click here for the application registration form (takes 5-8 minutes / can be saved during the process)
review committee
The BabyTech® Awards are judged by a panel of judges comprised of experts and professionals from a wide range of fields, including childcare, childcare, medicine, education, technology, communications, design, and media.
We conduct a series of fair and practical examinations that utilize both childcare practice and professional expertise.
member of a screening committee
Tatsuya Kurosaka
Representative Director, Kuwadate Co.
Visiting Scholar, Georgetown University
member of a screening committee
Aoki Hydraulic
General Incorporated Association
Representative Director, Japan Ohirune Art Association
member of a screening committee
Makoto Ukai
Media Business Division, The Asahi Shimbun
Deputy General Manager, Events Division
member of a screening committee
Masataka Kikuchi
(Maa-Sensei)
Kikuchi Gakuen Educational Corporation Chairman of the Board
member of a screening committee
Yoshihiro Nestachi
Yamamura College
Lecturer, Department of Children's Studies
Head of Review Committee Operations
Tetsuya Nagata
Representative Director, Papa Smile Inc.
BTA Executive Committee Chair
*Additional jury members are currently being selected. As soon as a decision is made, we will announce it on our official website and in our newsletter.
What is BabyTech (Baby Tech)?
Baby tech refers to ICT/IoT-based products and services that support pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare. In recent years, many baby tech products and services using advanced technologies, such as smartphone applications and IoT devices, have emerged. Home appliances and online services that play an active role in child-rearing life are also baby tech. They contribute to reducing the burden of child-rearing and creating a safer and more secure child-rearing environment.
What are BabyTech(R) Awards?
The BabyTech(R) Awards is one of the largest awards in Japan dedicated to childcare-related ICT, with the aim of raising awareness of the baby tech market and promoting outstanding products and services. Award-winning products and services are selected through a rigorous screening process by a panel of experts, and award-winning companies receive the following benefits
- Expand awareness and increase brand value in the baby tech market
- PR benefits from media exposure
- Promotion of products and services through the use of award-winning marks
- Capture opportunities to appeal to consumers and childcare professionals
organizer
BabyTech(R) Awards Executive Committee
In order to encourage more people to support the BabyTech(R) Awards, the event has been shifted to being hosted by the Executive Committee, a voluntary organization, starting in 2023. In addition, from this year, we will be managing the executive committee and secretariat functions, as well as event operations, with the cooperation of Caratocross Incorporated Association. Papa Smile Inc., which owns the BabyTech trademark, will take the lead in the practical aspects of the event, based on its past experience in organizing and operating the event.
For inquiries, please contact
BabyTech(R) Awards Secretariat (in Papa Smile Inc.)
Mail form:https://babytech.jp/contact/
Phone number: 03-6555-2350 (weekdays 10:00-18:00)
Application Materials
Application guidelines and registration form can be found below.
- Check the Application Guidelines website.
- Download the Application Guide
- Click here for the application registration form (takes 5-8 minutes / can be saved during the process)
We look forward to receiving your entries. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
