Top > Economic Affairs > The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) > ASEM Seminar on the Digital Opportunity > Session 1: IT to Meet Social Needs > Creating a Lively Aging Society with IT (Presentation)

Presentation
Creating a Lively Aging Society with IT

Ms. Eiko Yamada
Deputy Managing Director, New Media Development Association, Japan

In relation to the digital divide, the creation of a society in which the elderly have more opportunity to utilize IT is a significant challenge facing Japan. The Internet represents a new and very different means of communication and exchanging information. For example, the idea of a person suddenly receiving e-mail from someone unknown to them, this is something foreign to the elderly in Japan and many elderly people would be unsure how to respond. This example reflects the notion that there are some cultural problems concerning the use of IT.

In the world of business, IT is used extensively in Japan; but compared to other advanced nations, IT is not used in the daily lives of the people. In Japan, the digital divide is growing among the elderly generation and is a problem that must be addressed.

In Japanese society, in order to expand the digital opportunity for senior citizens, the senior citizens themselves will have to utilize IT and will have to start learning anew in order to maintain lively and vibrant lives. In particular, many Japanese who have retired, feel a great sense of loss, but this could be solved through using IT, whereby retirees could explore new opportunities and at the same time give something back to society. The knowledge and experiences of senior citizens are not used to their full potential in Japanese society and this needs changing by incorporating IT use. Using information and communication technology to build a vibrant world where older adults can enjoy fulfilling lives is an important objective. Japanese senior citizens have knowledge and experience which should be reflected in the products and services offered to them.

Japan has established the "mellow society" concept, which aims to expand the digital opportunity for elderly citizens. Another aim is to promote the active use of IT among the elderly, so that knowledge and experience that the elderly bring can be used to their full potential. There was a concept that society has to support senior citizens, but through exploring new opportunities through IT, senior citizens could contribute to society.

Given the appropriate training, the elderly could give support and teach IT to those around them, be they other senior citizens, school children or persons with disabilities. It is also necessary to pass on traditional culture to younger persons through hands-on experience, something that the elderly in society could provide. Another important factor is the need for support in family life and in the community in everyday living. These activities are being embarked upon by Japanese citizens. Japanese corporations have a major role to play, but a question arises as to whether these corporations can provide universal services to all. This is not the case, but further services and information could be provided by the elderly, which in turn, could contribute to the vitalization of society.

Ten years ago, when an attempt was made to link senior citizens and IT, most people in society said that this was impossible. However, it is important for senior citizens to live the fullest possible life, and this generation has the greatest potential as IT users. IT use therefore offers benefits for both the elderly themselves and for society in general.

Much discussion has focused on the need for universal design. Japanese people are new to communication modes such as the Internet and there is a need to design software and gadgets that can be used by all people. However, it should be pointed out that there are no significant barriers to IT use by the elderly, using technology as it stands today.

In order to avoid the digital divide it is important to know more than just how to use the Internet. All people, including the elderly, should be taught that the Internet is a tool for decision-making and senior citizens should be able to choose and select the information they require from the Internet.

Finally, the resolution of the issue of the digital divide can be achieved by expanding the digital opportunity. The elderly, children or persons with disabilities, are the people that should be able to exercise their creativity and enjoy IT to the fullest. Society must provide the opportunity to these underserved groups.

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