Tokyo delegation trip: inspiring insights into Japan's advanced smart city and innovative care concepts

In the second part of Prof. Dr. Mariam Hartinger's Asia delegation trip, the journey went to Tokyo in Japan. Together with the Smart Living & Health Center and Gesundheitscampus am ukb associations, the visit to a Smart City was on the programme, with faculties of two universities with strong transfer from research and development into industry.

Healthcare for Smart City residents runs digitally "all in one package". Data protection is taken very seriously, just as in Germany. Technology supports and plays a decisive role in promoting a healthy life with focus on health promotion, prevention and care.

The further course of the journey dedicated itself to intergenerational city development and care. Japan introduced a pension insurance system on the German model years ago, which contributes to a high life expectancy. At 80 many Japanese are still fit and decide voluntarily, before need of care begins, to move to a senior residence or age-appropriate living.

The visited facility places great value on a self-determined life of the residents. Alongside hip-hop courses there is a cinema-television room with karaoke possibilities for joint activities with friends or family. For residents with dementia the facility has had itself certified as a dementia facility by a British university. The facility still manages without international staff. As too few caregivers are available in the care area, the facility works on a solution to train and employ international professionals from next year.

Japanese culture places great value on harmony. Everyone strives that nobody comes to harm, feels comfortable and finds their way. In public life this is shown for example by much staff at train stations or airports to help travellers with orientation and ticket buying.

The very inspiring journey ended with a futuristic visit to the Panasonic Center in Tokyo. There the Cross Area Robot impressed, which brings food and shopping home AI-based accident-free. Equally fascinating was the Walking Training Robot, which can be AI-based adjusted to individual training goals in rehab and shows a 60% improved gait within 3 months.

IB Hochschule's delegation trip to Tokyo was undoubtedly worthwhile and provided valuable insights into state-of-the-art healthcare and technological developments.