From Well-Aging Live 0523
Recruiting Corporate Members: A New Model of Collaborative Care Business
On May 23, 2025, the Japan Well-Aging Association hosted Well-Aging Live 0523.
The themes were “Aging in Asia and Japan’s Competitive Edge” and “Care Business that Doesn’t Go It Alone.”
Joined by Board Director Mr. Takeharu Tamura, we discussed the present and future of the caregiving industry.
Up until now, our association primarily offered empathy-based programs such as “Instant Senior” to end-users. However, growing interest from care providers and related businesses prompted us to launch a corporate membership initiative.
New Possibilities Discovered Through the Care Business Pitch Competition
Over the past year, Mr. Tamura and I have held regular “Care Business Group Consulting Pitch Competitions.”
In these sessions, companies give 10-minute presentations on their products and receive feedback from both care practitioners and management consultants.
We aim to expand this model further and welcome participation from more companies.
Growing Interest from Asia and Accelerating Collaboration
Since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, interest from Asian countries has skyrocketed.
In Malaysia, after years of engagement, we signed a comprehensive memorandum of understanding, now evolving into government-level collaboration.
In China, demand for visits and lectures is increasing rapidly, including an online seminar attended by 70,000 people in Beijing.
Although China’s care system remains underdeveloped, the desire to learn is strong, especially in education. The current climate feels similar to Japan before the implementation of its long-term care insurance system.
Resonating with Malaysia’s “Look East Policy”
In Malaysia, the “Look East Policy” encourages learning from Japan at the national level.
We are collaborating with local business leaders and government officials to implement the “Look to the Sun: Malaysia–Japan Well-Aging Kizuna Project.”
Following two years of preparation and connections with care facilities accepting Malaysian caregivers, we are now entering a full-fledged launch phase, including educational agreements and government presentations.
Learning from the Chinese Market: Dignified Care
In China, the concept of “dignity” has become a key term, especially in healthcare and caregiving. This aligns perfectly with Japan’s principle of “dignified care.”
However, differences in terminology were apparent—“patients” is the norm in China, whereas Japan uses “users” or “residents” depending on the care setting.
Lectures based on Japanese dementia care models revealed that many Chinese educators lacked practical caregiving experience, highlighting the urgent need for educational support.
Interest in AI, Robotics, and Japanese Products
In China, AI and robotic caregiving products are being developed at a rapid pace.
Japan’s newest products are often replicated and displayed by Chinese firms within just six months.
Despite this speed, many such products lack a user-centered narrative—“Whose problem are we solving?” This is where Japan’s practical, on-the-ground perspective adds value.
Care Management Schools as a Business Opportunity
Surprisingly strong interest was shown for a proposal to establish care management schools (e.g., “Inspiring Care Management School”).
In countries where systems are still evolving, management capabilities are highly valued—unlike Japan, which already has a mature long-term care insurance system.
In China, while social welfare studies are limited, gerontology is more advanced, making it an ideal foundation for combining with care business education.
Toward a Shared Care Business Vision with Asia
Collaborations with Thailand, Malaysia, and China are now underway.
All three countries share a common enthusiasm to learn from Japan across institutional and cultural boundaries. Japan’s readiness to respond is being tested.
Through pitch competitions, online events, and site visits, we are steadily paving the way for sharing Japan’s caregiving value with Asia.
Invitation: Become a Corporate Member
The Japan Well-Aging Association is now recruiting corporate members.
Join us in exploring new business opportunities through our monthly pitch competitions and overseas projects.
If you’re interested, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
[Membership Information & Application]
Japan Well-Aging Association
https://www.japanwellaging.org
Membership Guide (Individual and Corporate):
https://www.japanwellaging.org/nyukai
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