As the industrialized ages, a giant test case of fulfilled Japanese seniors leading happy and healthy lives may provide valuable pointers for other nations in developing their own approaches to this demographic shift.
The rise of active seniors is being reflected in Japanese healthcare, technology, welfare and infrastructure. Japan is already navigating paths that countries including the US, Australia, China and many European nations are set to walk in the future.
A major contributing factor to the longevity and healthiness of Japan's seniors is advanced medical infrastructure and universal healthcare which delivers comprehensive annual health checks that detect issues early.
In 2014, the government deregulated stem-cell research, aiming to make the country a hub for regenerative medicine, leading to domestic and overseas investment in this promising field in Japan. One outstanding success is the cutting-edge techniques of Hiroshima University’s Professor OCHI Mitsuo, which have revolutionised knee surgery.
OCHI developed a technique utilising gel to insert cells cultured from a patients’ body to treat degenerated knee joints. The culturing of such cartilage was commercialised by J-TEC (a Fujifilm subsidiary) and became covered by Japan’s national health insurance in 2013. The procedure has been carried out more than 1,000 times in Japan and helped many seniors return to living active lives.
Last year, J-TEC ran a clinical trial on expanding the treatment to knee osteoarthritis, a growing problem that now affects around quarter of a billion mostly older people globally.
But despite what OCHI modestly describes as “satisfactory results” of the existing treatment, he was already looking to innovate further.
“12 years ago, a novel idea came to my mind,” says OCHI, whose latest procedure is a single, less invasive surgery which utilises pre-cultured cells that are directed into the damaged area via magnet.
Five patients have been successfully treated with the ground-breaking technique, which OCHI says has potential uses for elbow and shoulder joints, healing bone fractures, regeneration of the spinal cord and other treatments which could transform the lives of seniors.
Another major factor in enhancing life for seniors is technology and robotics. CYBERDYNE's seminal HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb) exoskeleton helps people move better and is the world’s first robotic treatment device covered by public health insurance.
The company’s Neuro HALFIT program detects nerve signals from users, translating them into movement instructions for the robotic exoskeleton and then creating a feedback loop that boosts physical functions.
More than 2,000 people have used the Neuro HALFIT program at 14 Robo Centers across Japan, delivering significantly better results than traditional rehabilitation, according to Dr SANKAI Yoshiyuki, CYBERDYNE founder and CEO.
“Often after major surgery, patients have to spend one or two weeks in bed, but this causes degeneration of muscles and cognition; for older patients, this can mean they become bed-ridden,” says SANKAI.
Sankai explains that HAL helped an 82-year-old man walk again a month after surgery and drastically improved the walking speed of an 84-year-old woman who had previously needed a walker to get around, both with just 20-minute daily sessions.
Human beings are extending their lifespan so we have to consider how to use new technologies to maintain healthy physical and brain functions.
The number of seniors behind the wheel is on the up and Honda continues to develop automotive solutions aligned with its ‘Safety for Everyone’ philosophy and backed by its dedication to cutting-edge R&D, testing and analysis of vehicle technology and driving behaviour.
Utilising its Honda Sensing suite of 10 safety features and AI, Honda is testing a system to improve driving through delivering personalised advice, taking into account driving and road conditions, via smartphone.
It tells people they are too close to another car and also compliments them on good use of brakes or other driving techniques. This helps their driving to improve.
As we age, our vision deteriorates, and information processing and reaction time slows. This decline is often not serious enough to stop a person driving, but does increase the risk of accidents. Honda’s technology hopes to mitigate those risks.
working and living
Recognising that 90% of Japanese people aged 65 and over are as classified as ‘active’, University of Tokyo’s Professor HIYAMA Atsushi set about creating an app to “allow seniors to actively participate in society.”
The result is GBER (Gathering Brisk Elderly in the Region), into which seniors enter information about their skills, interest and availability, matching it to opportunities for learning and working.
In Kumamoto prefecture, GBER is being used by Yume Net Hachidori, an organisation that employs more than 200 seniors, mostly retired healthcare professionals, to provide support for less active elderly.
They want to be able to use their skills from their career, rather than just working for money. They feel connected to society and useful as a person.
This sentiment is echoed by BANDO Akihiko, who heads Second Life Factory Garden Support, which is using GBER to facilitate seniors learning about gardening and putting their skills to work. A 74-year-old former banker, Bando derives great satisfaction from his ‘second life’ career, helping other seniors achieve the same from their work.
I’m a senior, but to live a fulfilling life, I think it is important to have the feeling of contributing to society – even in a small way – by carrying out my role.
The elderly have much to contribute through their technical expertise, business experience and decision-making capabilities, suggests BANDO.
“The elderly are very diverse and not all can work, but isolation causes deterioration in cognitive and motor functions,” notes HIYAMA, who hopes GBER will go nationwide and even global, contributing both to the well-being of seniors and society at large.
Many of these innovations, and much more besides, are being brought together for a planned smart-city of 400,000 at Kashiwa-no-ha, north of Tokyo, designed from scratch with a multi-faceted approach to providing a safe, healthy and fulfilling living environment for seniors.
The project is bringing together stakeholders and experts from government, industry, academia and medicine, explains Professor IIJIMA Katsuya, director of the University of Tokyo’s Institute of Gerontology, an advisor and coordinator.
As part of the project, Iijima is overseeing a ‘Frailty Check’ programme, which has already worked with more than 11,000 seniors to keep them physically active in the community.
Quality of life has multiple meanings, including life satisfaction, cognitive and physical function. We are also focusing on ‘quality of community’, community resilience…such as measuring how many people are being stopped from needing to go into care by our programmes.
Companies in Japan have a track record of ensuring that employees with disabilities have equal opportunities.
The Reuters editorial and news staff had no role in the production of this content. It was created by Reuters Plus, part of the commercial advertising group. To work with Reuters Plus, contact us here.