Support for the elderly:
the Japanese experience

Comprising directors of medico-social institutions, innovation managers, home care professionals, institutional representatives, and field managers, this multidisciplinary delegation spent a week immersed in the Japanese system of elderly support.

The first day of the tour was hosted at the French Embassy in Japan, providing essential insight into the cultural context and specificities of the Japanese health and social care system. Presentations by Thibault Fabre, Alexis Tatto, and Philippe Auvaro gave the delegation a deeper understanding of the local dynamics in terms of both funding and governance.

This introduction was followed by a presentation from Ayumu Shingu, CEO of Tokushimaru. More than just a mobile shop, Tokushimaru is a mobile sales service designed to combat isolation, support mobility, and promote healthy eating among older adults living in remote areas. Its drivers, true social connectors, play a key role in identifying situations of vulnerability.

The second day highlighted two emblematic initiatives. First, Aoi Care (in Japanese), a “group home” model founded by Tadasuke Kato. This community-centered living space combines shared housing, day care, and intergenerational living in an environment that values the right to take risks and fosters social connections.

Then, the delegation visited the Shonan Robo Care Center, developed by CYBERDYNE Inc., where robotics serve autonomy. The HAL exoskeleton enables patients with stroke, traumatic brain injury, or neurodegenerative diseases to regain mobility and independence.

The third day began at Med Agricare (in Japanese), a residence of the Agrie Group that cares for highly dependent residents. The facility, designed for well-being, features high-quality materials like cedar and Japanese cypress, and offers a Japanese garden accessible from every room. The interior design, created by renowned architects, reflects a particular attention to living environment.

In the afternoon, the delegation visited Shizukaso, a facility founded by a Japanese-Swedish couple offering graduated care, including for people with dementia. Music plays a key role in residents’ well-being: each person is encouraged to play a suitable instrument, accompanied by a conductor. Some residents have even performed in front of audiences of over 1,000 people.

The fourth day extended the reflection on inclusion. In the morning, the delegation discovered the holistic approach of Kotoen, an organization that supports children, older adults, and people with disabilities in a shared living environment. Intergenerational interactions are central here, as illustrated by the celebration of March birthdays for children, shared with the elderly in a warm and caring atmosphere.

The afternoon was dedicated to a visit to Wakabadai (in Japanese), an inclusive residential neighborhood developed by the Sawayaka Welfare Foundation in Yokohama Prefecture. This project brings together shops, an intergenerational center, a nursery, resident associations, and home care services. The result: a long-term care usage rate lower than the national average.

This study tour allowed the delegation to discover unique approaches at the intersection of human-centered care, technological innovation, and architectural design — all in favor of dignified, active, and inclusive aging.

A heartfelt thank you to all our Japanese hosts for their warm welcome and to the participants for the richness of their contributions throughout this inspiring week.