October 22-28, 2015
Osaka University, Japan

Final Report

The 2015 RENKEIInterdiscipliinary Workshop
on Living with an Ageing SocietyContents
Preface -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
1. Programme ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3
2. Lectures (Lectures, Mini-lectures, Company presentations) -------------------- 8
3. Site Visits ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 30
3.1 Tajima Longevity Village ------------------------------------------------------------- 30
3.2 ATC Ageless Centre ------------------------------------------------------------------ 32
3.3 Care Service Apartment ------------------------------------------------------------- 32
4. Excursion to Ikuno Town ----------------------------------------------------------------- 34
5. Group Discussion and Presentation -------------------------------------------------- 37
6. Participants’ List and Profiles ----------------------------------------------------------- 43
7. Facilitators’ Short Biographies ---------------------------------------------------------- 51
List of Members who supported this Workshop ------------------------------------ 53

Preface
I would like to extend a warm welcome to you. We are delighted to have you here to participate inthis RENKEI workshop, entitled “Living with an ageing society.” It is co-hosted by the Universityof Liverpool and Osaka University. Thank you very much for coming.
The name RENKEI is an acronym, but it is also the word for “collaboration” in Japanese. One of
the main aims of RENKEI is to encourage you to develop a RENKEI perspective to be active incollaboration. We are proud you have come from the UK and Japan to study, experience, anddiscuss the problems of aging societies, proposing solutions for a better society. The members of
the Gerontology research group in the School of Human Sciences, in collaboration with Dentistry,
Medicine, and Engineering, have been working hard for months in preparation, and I am very
impressed with their dedication. Our School of Human Sciences aims to educate scholars who
have a multidisciplinary approach to solving complex problems in contemporary society, including
a wide range of disciplines from primatology to social and behavioral sciences. I am confident thatyou will share a range of experiences with your fellow participants and return home with freshnew perspectives.
Population ageing is a significant issue, especially among developed countries, including the UK
and Japan. Japan leads the world in aging. This year, the ratio of the senior citizens rose to 26%
in Japan. This is the highest in the world. Although the ratio in the UK is currently at 17%, there
is no doubt that the world is facing the largest tide in history; the emergence of a super-aging
society. We must employ all available resources and human wisdom to cope with this issue, which
will define your future.
Diplomatic relations between the UK and Japan date back 400 years. In the field of ageing
research, I believe we have much to learn from each other. The UK has a long history of
epidemiological studies and an accumulated knowledge about healthy aging support and longevity.
Japan is a front-runner in applying technology to improve the wellbeing of older people,
upgrading usability and design, utilizing robotics, and advancing home security systems. I hope
this workshop will provide opportunities for gerontology scholars and students between the UK
and Japan to initiate and deepen collaboration.
We cannot deny there are negative aspects of ageing in our societies. Increasing costs of medicalcare and insurance pose serious problems to our society. Still, we should recognize the positive-1-

side of ageing societies. Last month, for example, we celebrated the graduation of a student whocompleted his doctoral degree in Human Sciences at 73 years of age. This was his second Ph.D.
following his first, 30 years ago, in a different field. He is an example of the positive impact of
longevity and healthy ageing on opportunities for lifelong learning. In addition, there is an
expanding market for companies catering to older people. We have seen and will continue to see
the development of innovative technologies and services for the elderly. Indeed, you will see someof these examples first hand during the workshop. I encourage you to discover the positive aspectsof aging, and develop new frameworks to support this super aging society.
This seven-day workshop will provide opportunities for you to create a new network, leading tocollaborative research for the creation of better aging in society.

Enjoy the workshop and makethe most of this unique opportunity. I hope we will successfully build RENKEI, or collaboration,
between the UK and Japan, academia and industry, and across disciplines.

October 23, 2015
Shojiro Nishio
President
Osaka University-2-1. Programme
Thu 22th October 2015
13:00-

Registration at the international cafe in the Department of Human Sciencesbuilding located in Suita campus (see http://www.osaka-u.ac.jp/en/access/)

18:00-20:00

Getting to know each other buffet at Takumi
DAY 1: Fri 23th October
Venue: Room 207, Department of Human Sciences

9:00-9:45

Presentation of program outline

9:45-10:00

Opening remarks

Yasuyuki Gondo (RENKEI Coordinator)
Shojiro Nishio (President of Osaka
University)

Opening Lecture: 60min
10:00-12:00

Discussion: 30min

Shoji Shinkai, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H.

“A brief overview of gerontology in(Tokyo Metropolitan Institute ofJapan and Tokyo Metropolitan

Gerontology)

Institute of Gerontorogy”
12:00-13:30

Lunch & Tea

At International Café
Delivery from Lei can tingMini Lecture Session 1: 30min
Q&A: 5min
1. “Biology of ageing”
13:30-15:30

Ken Sugimoto, M.D., Ph.D.
(Osaka University)

2. “Physiological aging and aging Kei Kamide, M.D., Ph.D.
related diseases”
3. “Dental and oral functional
dimension of ageing”(Osaka University)
Kazunori Ikebe, D.M.D., Ph.D.
(Osaka University)

Discussion
15:30-16:00

Tea Break<Group Discussion>

16:00- 17:00

Discuss and select a main topic
for the group

19:00-21:00

Welcome Buffet

Venue: Viking Restaurant VERDEIn Hotel Hankyu Expo Park
-3-

DAY 2: Sat 24th October
Venue: Icho Hall 3F
Special Lecture 1: 60 min
9:00-10:30

Discussion: 30min

Yasuhiko Saito, Ph.D

“Demography of ageing: Length of (Nihon University)
life vs Quality of life”

10:30-11:00

Tea breakLecture 1: 45 min

11:00-12:00

Discussion: 15min

Hiroshi Ueda, Ph.D

“Business issues in aging in(Osaka University)

Japan”
Relocate to the Ageless Center
12:00-*taxi to Senri-chuo(the Exhibit Hall for care devices)
Lunch

14:00 – 17：Site visit to the Ageless Center00<Group Discussion>

17:00 -

Free time

20:00-

Lunch box at PIER 6 (6F)
http://www.ageless.gr.jp/pdf/age_eng.pdf

Back to hotel by own
Free group meeting time

DAY 3: Sun 25th October
Venue: Icho Hall 3F
Mini Lecture Session 2: 30 min
Q&A: 5min
4. “Stay engaged in Society: Social
dimensions of ageing”
9:00-11:00

Keiko Katagiri, Ph.D.
(Kobe University)

5. “Emotional dimensions of ageing”

Kate Mary Bennett, Ph.D
(University of Liverpool)
Kazuma Ishimatsu, Ph.D.

6. “Cognitive ageing”(Graduate School of Health Care
Sciences)

11:00-11:30

Tea breakSpecial Lecture 2: 60 min
Discussion: 30 min“Universal design and usability for

11:30-13:00

older adults: Our challenges as
Tsukuba-type Living Lab at the Centre
for Usability and Aging Research(CUAR)”-4-

Etsuko Harada, Ph.D
(Tsukuba University)

13:00-14:00

Lunch

Lunch Box from Koromoyoshi

Lecture 2: 45 min
14:00-15:00

Hieyong Jeong

Discussion: 15min“Recent robotics for aging society”

15:00-15:30(Osaka University)

Tea breakPresentation by invited lecturers fromcompanies:
1. “SECOM’s Vision and SECOM’s

15:30-17:30

Healthcare Services”
2. “Initiatives for the Aging Society of
Daiwa House Industry ―Hideki Hirazawa(SECOM Medical System)
Junichi Sato
(Daiwa House Industry Co.,Ltd)

Robot Business of Daiwa House”
18:00-20:00

Buffet dinner

Venue: Minelva

Free group meeting time
DAY 4-5: Mon 26th-Tue 27th October (Visit to rural village and care facilities)
Relocate to Ikuno Silver Mineth

8:30- on 26

Meet at the North gate of the Hotel
Hankyu EXPO Park

10:30-

Visit to Ikuno Silver Mine

12:30-

Lunch

Restaurant Maronie*Ikuno Hayashi Rice(hashed beef with rice)

Walk around Ikuno Town
15:00-

http://www.ikuno-ginzan.co.jp/

Relocate to Tajima Longevity Village
http://choju.ez-site.jp/
Group discussion

19:00-

Restaurant Gohanya

Dinner(Torobako bento)

Overnight stay in the Longevity Village
7:30- on 27th

Breakfast

Day 5

Place: Tajima Longevity Village Hall

9:00-9:10

Welcome address

9:10-9:55

Restaurant Gohanya

Sakae Hirose (Yabu City Mayor)

Lecture 3: The way to support thesuper-aged society

Masahiko Komori(Longevity Village - a branch of
Hyogo Prefecture Government)-5-

9:55-10:05

Short break

10:05-10:10

Welcome words

Shunji Morimoto (Executive head of
Yabu City Silver Human Resources
Centre)10:10-11:30
11:30-

Presentation & skit ： Promoting the Members

of

Yabu

City

activities of elderly people

Human Resources Centre

Lunch

Members of Yabu City Silver

Rice-cake making

SilverHuman Resources Centre

Songs
13:30
15:3018:0020:00-

Relocate to care service apartment
http://www.secomfortwest.com/

Visit to care service apartment“Comfort Hills Rokko”
Free TimeEat out in Kobe

Back to hotel by own
Free group meeting time

DAY 6: Wed 28th October
Venue: Icho Hall 3F
Lecture 4: 45 min +45 min<Discussion>
9:00-10:30

Differences and similarities in

Susan Pickard, PhD

approaching ageing society between(University of Liverpool)

Japan and the UK. Bridging ideas of
the two countries.
10:30-10:40

The brief words

10:40-11:00

Tea break

11:00-12:30
12:30:13:30
13:30-15:30

president of Osaka University)

Group discussion and preparation forpresentation
Lunch

Restaurant CouleurGroup discussion and preparation forpresentation

15:30-16:00

Tea break

16:00-18:30

Group presentation session

18:30-18:55

Toshiya Hoshino ( Executive vice

15-20min presentation + 10mindiscussion for each group

General discussion and brain storming
for the next workshop in Liverpool-6-

Masayuki Nakamichi ( Dean Osaka
18:55-19:00

Closing remark

university department of Human
Sciences)
Venue: Minelva

19:00-21:00

Farewell party

Speech: Matt Burney(British
council)DAY 7: Thu 29th October
Leave Osaka-7-

2. Lectures
Opening Lecture“A brief overview of gerontology in Japan and the state-of-the-art research ingerontology”
Shoji Shinkai, MD, PhD, MPH
Vice-Director,
Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology

Short Biography:
Shoji Shinkai obtained his MD and PhD at Ehime University studying Epidemiology and Public
Health. He has worked at the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology since 1998, and has been
the principal investigator of Kusatsu Longitudinal Study on Ageing and Health (2003-present), which
is successfully ongoing community-based observational and intervention study. He has extensively
experienced in collecting data on physical, psychological, nutritional and social functions ofcommunity-dwelling older adults. His current interest is to develop a novel community health systemfor preventing frailty in later life and to determine the effects on healthy ageing.

Abstract:
In this lecture, he briefly reviewed gerontology in Japan. First, he mentioned about thegerontology-related issues concerning Japan, including challenges and possibilities for aging society,and discussed research and education as well as the history of gerontology in Japan. Second, heintroduced some of the core institutions for research in gerontology in Japan, including Tokyo
Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, National Centre for Geriatrics and Gerontology and The
University of Tokyo Institute of Gerontology. Finally, he talked about the state-of-the-art research ingerontology, titled “prevention of frailty in a community and its assessment”.
Contents:
1. Gerontology in Japan: Current standing and future prospects
What is Gerontology?
Challenges and Possibilities for Aging Society
Current Standing for Research in Gerontology in Japan
Current State of Gerontological Education in Japan
Geriatrics
2. Core Institutions for Gerontological Research
3. The state-of-the-art Research: Prevention of Frailty in a Community and its Assessment
-8-

-9-

Special Lecture“Demography of ageing: Quantity vs.

Quality”

Yasuhiko Saito, PhD
Professor, University ResearchCentre, Nihon University

Short Biography
Yasuhiko Saito is a Professor at the University Research Center at Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan. He
obtained his Ph.D. (Sociology) from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA. His
specializations are in demography and gerontology, and he has been working on population aging andhealth issues in both developed and developing countries.

Abstract:
In this lecture, two summary measures of population health are introduced. Life
expectancy is an expected length of life on average for a whole population and can be
regarded as a measure of quantity. Healthy life expectancy is an expected length of life ingood health on average for a whole population and can be regarded as a measure of quality.
Trends in the number of centenarians in Japan were also discussed.
Contents:
1. Life expectancy

2. Health expectancy
3. Definition of health
4. Centenarians- 10 -

- 11 -

Special Lecture 2“Universal design and usability for older adults: Our Challenge as Tsukuba-type
Living Lab at the Centre for Usability and Aging Research (CUAR)”
Etsuko Harada
Professor,
University of Tsukuba

Short Biography:
Prof. Harada received her B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in Psychology (1990) from University of Tsukuba,
majoring in experimental cognitive psychology. She joined Tokyo Research Institute of IBM Japan(1986), and started her Cognitive Engineering study. After leaving IBM, she began to teach Cognitive
Science and Informatics at Hosei University (1989), and since 2010, she has been doing researches andalso teaching on Cognitive Psychology and Cognitive Engineering Cognitive Psychology at Universityof Tsukuba. She has built up and is managing CUAR, Centre for Usability and Ageing Research, since2011.

Abstract:
Based on activities of CUAR, Center of Usability and Ageing Research at University of Tsukuba, some
aspects of relations between human ageing and usability have been clarified. Older adults' usability
problems have multiple aspects, and are highly suggestive for thinking Human-Artifacts interaction in
general for all ages. Older adults' problems are not special, and similar phenomena should be happen
with younger adults when they are in panic, or very tired, etc.; verification of usability for older adultsare (again) for useful for general usability improvement. However, there are neuro-cognitive changes,
occurring with human ageing and it is thought that to be mainly observed as learning difficulties inhuman-artifacts interactions by older adults. Those neuro-cognitive originated problems andCulture-based problems in usability design could be discriminated, maybe through cross-cultural
studies.

- 12 -

- 13 -

Lecture 1“Business in Aging in Japan”
Hiroshi Ueda
Founder, Senior Access

Short Biography:
Dr. Hiroshi Ueda is the founder of Senior Access that provides a variety of services in business in aging
societies. Dr. Ueda has received a Ph.D. in Gerontology and a Master of Science in Applied
Demography (M.S.A.D.) at the University of Southern California (USC). He also obtained a Master of
Public Health (M.P.H.) in Gerontology from New York Medical College (NYMC).
Dr. Ueda has worked as an Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka
University, Japan. He previously worked as a technical officer for the World Health Organization(WHO) for nine years, as part of its Ageing and Health Programme. He currently has several titles
such as Adjunct Associate Professor at the USC Andrus Gerontology Center, Visiting Faculty Member
at Osaka University, and others.

Abstract:
Along with the experience of rapid population aging, Japanese society has faced challenges andopportunities in a variety of issues of the elderly. Business in aging has developed in the past decades
for its necessity and business interests and opportunities.
Elderly consumers drive and sometimes lead the market with societal expectation due to theiraffordable income and assets and acquired time for socialization such as leisure and recreation after
retirement. The market offers a variety of products and services for from healthy to frail elderly
directly and indirectly. With a future IOT prosperity in the aging societies, universal design andergonomic approaches shall be considered in the market to gain a wider age range consumers. The
protection of old age consumers shall be emphasized since the increasing rate of consumer troubles isfaster than the increasing number of the elderly.
Japan has shown its high labor force participation of the elderly among the OECD countries. With theinevitable decline in Japan’s labor force in aging society under current public policy approaches, thecontinuation and reentry of the elderly in labor market with their enthusiasm, knowledge, experience,
flexibility of labor conditions such as accessibility, hours and days of work, is expected in the future.
With an appreciation of gerontological approaches, the knowledge and experience of business in aging
in Japan might be well applied in many other countries with their mutual information sharing andcommunications.
- 14 -

Contents:
1. Elderly as consumers
2. Proverbs in “silver market”
3. Consumption expenditure by older adults
4. Product and services for the elderly: examples
5. Consumer behaviors of the elderly – three characteristics
6. Consumer troubles among the elderly
7. Elderly in labor force - knowledge and experiences: examples
8. Future business in aging societies: application to other countries- 15 -

Lecture 2“Robotic technology for ageing society”
Hieyong JEONG
Assistant Professor (Specially Appointment),
Osaka University

Short Biography:
Dr. Jeong received the Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Osaka University, Japan, in 2009.
From Apr. 2009 to Nov. 2013, he was a Senior Research Engineer (Full-time) at SAMSUNG HEAVY
INDUSTRIES, CO., LTD, Daejeon, Republic of Korea. From Nov. 2013 to Mar. 2014, he was a
Researcher (Full-time) at Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea. From 2014 topresent, he has been an Assistant Professor (Specially Appointed / Full-time) at the Department of
Robotics & Design for Innovative Healthcare, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita,
Japan. His research interests include Multi-fingered Robotic Hand, Touch Sense, Healthcare
Technology, Human Posture, Endoscope, Ageing effect, and Industrial Manipulator.
He received the Certificate of ROBOMEC from the R&D Division of the Japan Society of MechanicalEngineers in 2005, and also the Award of SICE Chugoku Branch from the Society

Abstract:
The number of elderly people who are 65 years old or above, will increase by about 7.09 million in 15
years from 2010 to 2025. The required number of caregivers will also increase by 50%, to about 2.32 –2.44 million. However there is a serious trouble of manpower shortage because of low birthrate.
Although there are several considerable solutions in order to solve the manpower shortage, in thepresent lecture we focus on applying for nursing care robot. The current robot industry is mainly
producing industrial robots. However, it is forecasted that the area of nursing care and welfare willgrow rapidly in the future. It is expected that the entire robot industry will increase significantly to asize as large as 9.7 trillion yen in 2035. Accordingly, in the present lecture, after I introduce several
kinds of present nursing care robots, I hope to discuss future plans for development direction.
Contents:
1. Population ageing and elderly population
2. Manpower shortage
3. Market of robotic devices for nursing care
4. The present nursing care robot- 16 -

- 17 -

Lecture 3“The way to support the super-aged society”
Masahiko Komori
Assistant manager of community care section in Tajima Longevity Village ofTajima Inhabitants Bureau of Hyogo Prefectural Government

Short Biography:
Mr. Komori was born in Hiroshima in 1966 and graduated from Kouchi School of allied health andmedical professions and got a physiotherapy certificate. He started to work at Hyogo Prefectural
Kakogawa Medical centre (Rehabilitation in orthopedics) in 1988, and then at Hyogo Prefectural
Tajima Longevity Village (Community care) in 1999. He engages in various social activities such as amember of investigative committee of plan for preparation of community care of Tottori Prefecture, anadvisor of municipalities’ support committee of preventive care of Tottori Prefecture, an observer ofsection of practical supply of preventive care of Hyogo Prefecture etc. He is also a member of
evaluation committee of subsidy for propulsion for preventive care of Shiga Prefecture and a memberof the working group for training leader of propulsion of community comprehensive care in public
interest incorporated association of Japanese physical Therapy Association.

Abstract:
Tajima area is a typical underpopulated area located at the northern part of Hyogo Prefecture,
but the rate of centenarian among population of over 65 in this area is second highest in theprefecture and there are many healthy old people. The reasons are: 1) Tajima area is rich innature and people can work actively for a long time in rice and vegetable fields. 2) The
relationship between inhabitants is close and the function of self-help and mutual help areproperly working in community. People are surrounded by many friends and can live actively
with their own role. That is why, I think, there are many healthy old people in Tajima area.
However, once most inhabitants get to the old-old in the future, the function of self and mutual
help in community will not work. A new system suited to super-aged society is necessary to liveat ease in such a society. We are conducting the following actions for that: 1) Care prevention
system which offers community-unit health promotion instead of personal unit; 2) Restructuringsystem of self and mutual help function which finds people who want to do community activities
but are not engaged in and offers them a place to learn and do activities; 3) System developing to
improve care skills. Requested by the city, rehabilitation professionals of the prefecture areconducting on-the-job training to care staffs.

- 18 -

Contents:
1. The features of Tajima area
2. Life of older people in Tajima
3. System to support the life of the oldest old (the role of the government and inhabitant)- 19 -

Lecture 4“Differences and similarities in approaching an ageing society: Japan and theUK”
Susan Pickard

Reader in Sociology
University of Liverpool
Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology

Short Biography:
Susan Pickard has been researching and publishing in the field of age and ageing since her PhD thatlooked at the experience of old age in a South Wales Valley area. She is a Sociologist by training andhas researched and published as PI most recently on international comparative studies of theconstruction and meaning of frailty as a discourse of geriatric medicine and on the intersection ofgender, age and class (funded by the British Academy and Leverhulme respectively). She has also
worked as co-investigator working with doctors and health economists on several large evaluations ofpolicy innovations for older people funded by the UK Department of Health. She teaches Sociology at
the University of Liverpool and her textbook ‘Age Studies: how we age and are aged through the life
course’ is published by Sage in June 2016.

Abstract:
This lecture compares social policy and broader cultural influences on shaping approaches towards
ageing in Japan and the UK, a review intended to help researchers in this collaboration understandthe context in which their inquiries are framed in both countries. I identify some of the key areas ofsignificance in shaping the ageing experience/response of both societies towards ageing, including
history, policy approach, cultural narratives about the role of ages, stages and generations, as well as
demographicalcomposition,

employment

andretirement

structures.

I

highlight

specific

contrasts/commonalities between both countries and questions arising and finally I suggest somequestions that might impact on the future of ageing experiences in both countries and ways that bothmight gain insight from the experience of the other.
Contents:
1. Social stratification in UK/Japan and ageing
2. Institutions and ageing in UK and Japan
3. Socio-cultural aspects of ageing in UK and Japan
4.Futures of ageing in both countries compared and contrasted- 20 -

- 21 -

Mini Lecture 1“Biology of Aging”
Ken Sugimoto
Lecturer,
Geriatric & General Medicine,
Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine

Short Biography:
Dr. Sugimoto was born in Osaka, Japan in 1970. I received his M.D. and Ph.D. from GeriatricMedicine in Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine in 2004. He used to be a postdoctoral
researcher at University of California San Francisco Medical Center, USA, and now he is an associate
professor, Geriatric & General Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine. My current
research is focusing on clarifying mechanisms underlying the association between diabetes and frailty
or sarcopenia.

Abstract:
Aging is a major risk factor for many of the common diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes,
cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Advanced healthcare in modern society can make people alive longer,
so the theories and mechanisms of aging become even more important to understand. Gerontologists
define aging as follows: a continuous, universal, progressive, intrinsic, and deleterious process that
decreases a organism's ability to maintain homeostasis in the face of environmental stressors. Four
traditional aging theories based on this concept are better known. Aging-associated factors such as
apoptosis, autophagy and responsible genes for premature aging diseases have attracted attention
recent years. As for regulation of aging, calorie restriction or exercise have been established as usefulanti-aging tools.

Aging research can open the door to clarify the unknown mechanisms ofdevelopment of age-related diseases.

- 22 -

Mini Lecture 2“Physiological aging and aging related diseases”
Kei Kamide MD, PhD
Professor, Division of Health Sciences,
Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine

Short Biography:
Dr. Kamide was born in Suita, Osaka, Japan in 1965. He received M.D. degree in Kochi Medical School
in 1990. He received his Ph.D. in Geriatric Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine in
2000. Previously, He was a stuff physician at the National Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, Japan;
lecturer at Geriatric Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine. Then, he became
professor at Division of Health Sciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine from 2013.
His research targets are mainly the management of life-style related diseases, such as hypertension
and cardiovascular diseases including genetic aspects and factors related to the healthy longevity
using longitudinal cohort study for aged population. Recently, he starts the new research about issues
on home medical care.

Abstract:
Aging consists of two types. One is physiological aging, which is physiological changes in organs andtheir integrated functions by becoming old, and another is pathological aging, in other words, aging
related diseases. That is defined as physiological changes are beyond abnormal rage by aging. That is
induced to some pathological symptoms and low activity of daily life now or in future. There was thedifference of their characteristics in those two aging, physiological and pathological regarding
prevalence, time course, classification and coping way and so on. This lecture will clarify these twodifferent types of aging to help understanding gerontology and geriatric medicine.
different types of aging to help understanding gerontology and geriatric medicine.

- 23 -

These two

Mini Lecture 3
Dental and oral functional dimension of aging
Kazunori Ikebe
Associate Professor,
Department of Prosthodontics, Gerodontology and Oral Rehabilitation
Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry

Short Biography:
Dr. Ikebe was born in Osaka, Japan in 1962. He graduated Osaka University Faculty of Dentistry with
degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1987, and then his Ph.D. in Dental Sciences from Osaka
University in 1991. He was a research associate and clinical instructor at the Department ofRemovable Prosthodontics, Osaka University Faculty of Dentistry, Osaka, Japan (1995-1998); an
assistant professor at the Department of Removable Prosthodontics, Osaka University Dental
Hospital, Osaka, Japan (1998-2007); an assistant professor at the Department of Prosthodontics,
University of Iowa (1999-2000); an associate professor at the Department of Prosthodontics,
Gerodontology and Oral Rehabilitation, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan (2007-). His current researchis on removable prosthodontics, oral physiology (mastication, salivary, flow, teste ability, swallowing)
and geriatric dentistry.

Abstract:
Oral health among older people is improving; however, prevalence rates of oral diseases are increasing
dramatically in low- and middle-income countries. The interrelationship between oral health andgeneral health is particularly pronounced among older people. Poor oral health can increase the risks
to eating abilities, and affects nutritional intake. Scientific evidences of the contribution of dental careand oral health to longer healthy-life expectancy have been accumulating. The risks common to bothoral diseases and non-communicable diseases should be recognized in order to prevent oral diseases
and tooth loss, and maintain and revitalize oral function by a life-course approach. In order tocontribute to preventing a decline in oral function in old age, dental and other health professionals
must create an environment of multi-professional collaborative practice. Dental health throughout life
is a fundamental factor for improving quality of life.

- 24 -

Mini Lecture 4“Stay engaged in society: Social dimensions of aging”
Keiko Katagiri
Associate Professor,
Graduate School of Human Development and Environment,
Kobe University

Short Biography:
Dr. Keiko Katagiri is Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Human Development and Environmentof Kobe University since 2013. She received her Ph.D. in Social Psychology in 2006 from the University ofTokyo. She is the recipient of awards from the Gerongological Society of America, the Japanese society ofSocial Psychology, Japan NPO Research Association & Japan Socio-Gerontological Society. Her researchinterest mainly covers the social dimensions of aging in urban areas, such as social participation, civic
engagement, social isolation, older workers, and urbanization, from the social-psychological perspective.
The study also includes older families, especially the changes they experience in an aging society with low
birth rate. She is interested in conducting international and interdisciplinary studies; for example, comparing
the effects of geographical characteristics on old people’s walking behavior and their health in Hong Kong,
Singapore, and Tokyo.

Abstract:
Presentation included three topics: 1) life after retirement in Japan, 2) importance of social participation forJapanese, 3) possible social engagement. First, it is explained that Japanese are experiencing longer
retired life than previous generations. It can be a serious problem for Japanese senior couples because
they are not accustomed to spending time together and especially for husbands as they were workaholicand difficult to find something to do after retirement. Then social participation is introduced as an effective
strategy to adaptation to retired life because husband can find a role and develop network in theircommunity. At the same time, wives welcome their husband’s going out instead staying all day long at home.
Finally, it is suggested that not only social participation, but also paid work (full-time workers/part-timeworkers) and volunteer work are possible ways to stay engaged in society for Japanese seniors.

- 25 -

Mini Lecture 5“Emotional dimension of ageing”
Kate M Bennett
ReaderDept of Psychological Sciences
University of Liverpool

Short Biography:
I am a Reader in Psychology in the Department of Psychological Sciences and the School of Psychology
at the University of Liverpool. The major focus of my work is the psychology of later life including theinterplay between physical and mental health and social relationships. I am an expert in widowhoodand bereavement. I also carry out research into the longitudinal effects of gender and marital status on
health and psychological wellbeing in older people. I am CI on the ESRC's/HEFECW study"Maintaining function and well-being in later life: A longitudinal cohort study". I am also interested inresilience, caregiving, and nutrition in later life.

Abstract:
The talk focuses on the emotional aspects of aging and focuses on two aspects in particular: wellbeing
is influenced by marital status transitions; and resilience. Data is presented which examines theimpact of spousal bereavement and divorce and wellbeing, using British, longitudinal data. The
evidence suggests that wellbeing decreases as a consequence of both divorce and spousal bereavement,with some, but not all, data suggesting a return to pre-transition levels. Women report lower wellbeing
than men, but it is still unclear why this should be the case. In divorce the differences between men
and women’s wellbeing disappear, suggesting that the impact is greater for men. In the second half ofthe talk I focus on resilience in later life, taking an ecological approach to resilience. I suggest that
individual, community and societal resources contribute to resilience. The talk focused on the first two.
I illustrate resilience with data from older widowed men. The concluded with some provocations forparticipants to consider.

- 26 -

Mini Lecture 6“Cognitive Ageing”
Kazuma Ishimatsu
Associate Professor,
Graduate School of Health Care Sciences,
Jikei InstituteShort Biography:
Kazuma Ishimatsu received his B.A. and M.A. in Human Sciences from Waseda University in 1997
and 1999, respectively; and then his Ph.D. in Human Sciences from Osaka University in 2004, with adissertation on visual attention and ageing. Prior to his current position he was a researcher at the
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Kanagawa, Japan; an assistant professor at the
Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan; and a postdoctoral
fellow at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Ibaraki, Japan. His
research is on how attention and executive functions change with ageing and how cognitive ageing
influences human behaviour. His research interests include cognitive ergonomics, occupational safety
and health, and patient safety.

Abstract:
The purpose of this lecture was to briefly outline the major findings in the field of cognitive ageing.
Cognitive abilities rise steeply from infancy to young adulthood, and then are either maintained or
decline to old age, depending on the specific ability (Craik & Bialystok, 2006). Firstly, age-relatedchanges in cognitive functions were reviewed. Although results from behavioural methodologies haveindicated an age-related decline in cognitive functions, cognitive ageing is also characterized by bothage-related increases as well as decreases in brain activity (e.g., PASA and HAROLD). Secondly,
cognitive ageing theories (e.g., generalised slowing, resources deficit theory, and inhibition deficit
theory) were illustrated. And then focusing on visual attention (e.g., inattentional blindness, useful
field of view, and divided attention), a more detailed description of cognitive ageing was provided.

- 27 -

Company Presentations
Besides a variety of academic lectures, there were presentations by invited lectures from companies.

1.

“SECOM’s Vision and SECOM’s Healthcare Services”
Hideki HIrazawa
Mr. Hirazawa worked as an Engineer at SECOM Intelligent Systems Laboratory from1989 and a Strategic Planner of home medical department at SECOM from 1996. He
became the General Manager of network service department at SECOM Medical
System in 2006 and the Director of IT healthcare division at SECOM Medical System in2009. He is currently the Managing Director at Kobe Kaisei Hospital.

- 28 -

2. “Initiatives for the Aging Society of Daiwa House―Robot Business of Daiwa House”
Junichi Sato
Mr. Sato graduated from Lakeland College (Wisconsin, USA) majoring in
Biology in 2004. He entered Daiwa House Industry as a sales representative ofhouse in 2005. He transferred to Robotics Business Department at the time ofstart-up, working as a sales representative of Robot Suit HAL, Therapeutic
Robot PARO,- 29 -

3. Site Visits
In addition to taking a broad range of lectures on ageing, the programme included three site visits.

3.1 Tajima Longevity Village
The first was visit to Tajima, an ageing community in rural area, Hyogo prefecture. The participants
had an overnight stay in Tajima Longevity Village and learned the actual living conditions of older
people in Tajima area. Through lectures and interaction with members of the Silver Human Resources
Center of Yabu City, they learned various activities carried out by community to support an ageing
society. The Silver Human Resources Center actively participates in health promoting actions for
elderly people. Besides presentation, members of Silver Human Resources Center acted “supporting adementia family” in a play. The participants had cultural experiences of rice-cake making and singing
Japanese children’s songs with the silver members.

The Mayor of Yabu City

Mr. Masahiko Komori

The members of Silver Human Resources Center

The team delivering laughter and heal

- 30 -

Yabu-karabo Exercise

Torobako bento dinner at Restaurant Gohanya

Rice-cake making- 31 -

3.2 ATC Ageless Center
The second was visit to the ATC Ageless Center, the Exhibit Hall for care devices. This is the Exhibit
Hall for health, welfare and care devices at the largest scale in Japan. The participants were guided by
the floor staffs and were encouraged to see state-of-the-art technologies including robotic technology.
They had vigorous discussion after looking around.

Instant senior experience

Wheelchair experience

Comforting Robot Paro-chan

Discussion time

3.3 Care Service Apartment: Comfort Hills Rokko
They also had an opportunity to visit Comfort Hills Rokko, which was SECOM’s care service
apartment located in Kobe city. Living comfortably without feeling anxiety of ageing is the concept of“comfort ageing”. Comfort Hills Rokko is realizing this concept. Kobe Kaisei Hospital, an affiliatedhospital of SECOM, is adjacent to the Apartment in the site, which provides high quality of medical &care service system. SECOM’s own security system assures safe and comfortable life for the seniorresidents.

- 32 -

- 33 -

4. Excursion to Ikuno
In order to learn Japanese history and culture, the participants visited Ikuno, which is a silver mine
town located in Asago City, Hyogo prefecture. They explored the silver-diggings at Ikuno Silver Mine,one of the three oldest mines in Japan. They walked around Ikuno Town, where the workers of Ikuno
Silver Mine and their family used to live. Old houses and official residences remain and an old
life-style can be seen. The participants visited Izutsu-ya Ikuno Machitsukuri Kobo (Ikuno
town-making workshop). Many travelers used to stay at this place when they came to Ikuno as official
travels in Edo period, about 500 years ago. The participants enjoyed old Japanese houses and rural
scenery.

Ikuno Silver Mine
The exploitation of Ikuno silver mine started in 1542. The mine has been controlled by feudal lords
such as Nobubaga Oda, Hideyoshi Toyotomi and Ieyasu Tokugawa during the Muromachi and Edo
periods. After the unification of Japan, the Ikuno mine came under the direct control of thegovernment, then under the jurisdiction of the imperial estate after the restoration of the Emperor.
The mine went through various modernizations with the presence of the French engineer
Jean-Francois Coignet. A great quantity of silver and mineral has been extracted while the mine wasin activity. The Ikuno mine is one of the greatest industrial heritage of Japan that is possible to visit.
The participants learned about the story and the industrial heritage of the Ikuno Silver Mine.
- 34 -

Ikuno Town
A walk in Ikuno unveils the beauty of the town. Izutsu-ya was built in 1832. During the Edo era, it was
forbidden for travelers to stay in the mine town. There were six inns exclusively for government
officials visiting the mine town to stay in, Izutus-ya was one of them. Today, it is possible for tourists tovisit Izutsu-ya, which has been converted into a craft shop where many souvenirs in the shape of asalamander can be found.
- 35 -

Izutsu-ya- 36 -

5. Group Discussion and Presentation
The participants were divided into small groups. Each group selected some specific issues related toageing society and discussed solutions to these problems. They presented their ideas on the final day of
the workshop. An experienced researcher was assigned to each group as a facilitator to assist withcollecting information and promoting discussion.

Group 1 Three Y Zetto
Title: Elderly Children
Members: Zsombor Koszegi, Yuexin Li, Yukiko Tateyama, Yuko Kurushima- 37 -

Group 2 LEAC
Title: Examining Companion Robot
Members: Eri Kiyoshige, Laura Soulsby, Caroline Olcott, Alireza Abouhossein- 38 -

Group 3 Ulysses
Title: Exploring the Acceptability of High-tech Tools for Enabling Social Interaction in a

Cross-Cultural Context: Methodological Considerations
Members: Sanmei Chen, Kiyoaki matsumoto, Clare Thetford, Dulce Rodrigues- 39 -

Group 4 IDC
Title: Intelligent Design for Communities
Members: Aya Toyoshima, Sae Shindo, Tatiana Sanches- 40 -

Group 5 Team Godzilla chan
Title: Ichijyu-sansai（一汁三菜）versus The Sunday Roast
Members: Marina Kozono, Juliet McClymont, Alison Burrows- 41 -

Group 1 was awarded the Best Presentation Prize and Group 5 received the second prize.

- 42 -

6. Participants’ List and Profiles
Name
Yukiko Tateyama

Institution
Kyoto University

Discipline
Global Health and

Year
D1

Socio-epidemiology
Yuexin Li

Kyushu University

Economics / Art Finance /M1

Financial Liberalization
Sanmei Chen

Kyushu University

Exercise Epidemiology

D3

Sae Shindo

Nagoya University

Nursing

M1

Yuko Kurushima

Osaka University

DentalAttending Staff

Aya Toyoshima

Osaka University

Psychology

D3

Eri Kiyoshige

Osaka University

Medicine

M1

Marina Kozono

Osaka University

Policy Studies andD2

Ageing Psychology
Kiyoaki Matsumoto

Osaka University

Public Health

D1

Alison Burrows

University of Bristol

Inclusive Design

Research Assistant,
Post-doctoral
researcher

Dulce Rodriguez

University of Bristol

Education

D1

Zsombor Koszegi

University of Bristol

Neuroscience

Post-doctoral
Research Assistant

Alireza Abouhossein

University of Leeds

Design,Research Fellow

Robotics & Optimisation
Laura Soulsby

University of Liverpool

Psychology

Lecturer

Juliet McClymont

University of Liverpool

Evolutionary Morphology

D3

and Biomechanics
Clare Thetford

University of Liverpool

Sociology, Social Policy

Research Fellow

and Criminology
Tatiana Sanches

University of

D1Southampton
Caroline Olcott

University ofGerontology

D1outhampton
18 participants in total- 43 -

Yukiko Tateyama
Yukiko Tateyama is a pharmacist in Japan. She obtained her MPH from Kyoto
University School of Public Health, Japan and now pursuing her PhD program in the
Department of Global Health and Socio-epidemiology at Kyoto University School of
Medicine. Under JICA Volunteer program in 2010, she participated in HIV/AIDS
initiatives as a program officer in the rural governmental office in Zambia. The
experience ignited her interests on global health issues; especially in understanding
risk factors for noncommunicable diseases in the social, cultural, and economic contexts in the
SubSaharan African region which she undertook as her research. For her master's thesis, she
conducted qualitative research on risk perception, behavior and socio-cultural factors related to
non-communicable diseases in Zambia, and is currently continuing further epidemiological study inthe same area using a mixed method approach. The rapid increase of both older population andnon-communicable diseases has been observed in developing countries and becoming an issue of global
significance. Understanding the current situation and issues of ageing society is critical, and thisworkshop is beneficial for her research as aging is a factor related to noncommunicable diseases. She
expects to be able to gain the practical idea of a comprehensive approach to ageing society and further
geriatric care in this workshop.

Yuexin Li
I am a master student in Department of Economics, Kyushu University. I havereceived my bachelor’s degree in Economics in Renmin University of China. And
probably I will study for PhD degree next year. Macroeconomic policies and art
finance are my research fields. I can offer the idea of how to activate the Japanese
economy and introduce the art finance as an alternative investment tool to maintainthe value of funds and pensions. I feel very excited to have the opportunity to discuss
the ageing society issue with scholars from different intellectual disciplines. I am surethat the workshop will inspire me to think further about the topic. I hope that we can implement ourinnovative ideas in future, dealing with the issues of ageing society together.
- 44 -

Sanmei Chen
I am a PhD student in the department of behaviour and health science of Kyushu
University. I come from China. I got bachelor degree of medicine in the school ofnursing, Central South University in China. I have been qualified as a registerednurse and once worked in a community health center when I was doing masterprogramme of community nursing. Three years ago, I came to Japan to do PhD
degree. Presently I am working on a population-based longitudinal study forestablishing effective strategies to prevent or delay placement in long-term careamong community-dwelling older adults. I always have strong interest in ageing and I will devote myfuture career to provide better care for older adults and improve their quality of life. I look forward tolearning more about the ageing society from other fields and countries in the upcominginterdisciplinary workshop.

Sae Shindo
Hello, everyone. I’m a registered nurse as well as a graduate student. Having got theregistered nurse licence, I went straight to the graduate school in order to get master’s
degree and learn about nursing much more. While studying there, I have beenworking at Nagoya University Hospital as a part time nurse. I started gaining theinterest of studying global social issues since I was a little girl. I have encounteredvarious types of death circumstances and how differently people respond to mortality.
From my experiences, I observed how important the support of a nurse was, and I realized that I
should get the ability to reduce the weight of many serious problems though my nursing expertise. So I
decided to be a nursing specialist in the field of hospice palliative care, especially oncology. In the
future, I would like to relieve people from the burden of difficulties and help people realize theimportance of learning about life from people who face death. I personally think that a broad
multidisciplinary approach that includes experts who have different background is so essential. I’mlooking forward to sharing interesting ideas with you.

Yuko Kurushima
I graduated from Post Graduate School of Dentistry last year. Now I am working at
Osaka University Dental Hospital as a clinical dentist. Regarding my research, I’minterested in Human genetics as well as Gerodontology. I’ll visit King’s College ofLondon, UK from 2016 April, and stay there for 2 years. Please let me know culture,people, society, economy, whatever you know in UK. I’d like to exchange ours.
- 45 -Aya Toyoshima
I’m a third year student in doctoral program. I was born and raised in Chiba Prefecture,and lived in Tokyo when I was an undergraduate student. I moved to Osaka from Tokyo
about five year ago. My major is psychology, and I study about a relationship betweensocial contact and subjective well-being among older adults. I’m interested ininterdisciplinary research and collaboration with international members. If there are
psychosocial topics that you want to ask, please feel free to ask to me anything.

Eri Kiyoshige
Hello, Nice to meet you! My name is Eri KIYOSHIGE. I am a graduate student in the
School of Medicine at Osaka University. My major is community health nursing, and I
study Healthy life expectancy. I grew up in Himeji City which is close to Tajima in
Hyogo. So I feel an affinity with the visiting equipment in this work shop. In holiday, I
often go to trip and watch Figure skating game. I am looking forward to meeting you
and talking about Japan and British ageing!

Marina Kozono
I have been majoring in Policy Studies and Ageing Psychology. The major I took at
Kwansei Gakuin University and Osaka University gave me a more profound insight
into such things as designing the solutions for ageing society; these studies provided mewith a basic knowledge of related theories. Through my education, my interest in
gerontology has grown to be the field I desire to pursue in my life. My career goal is tobecome a professional gerontology specialist. The primary reason why I would like totake part in RENKEI programme is that I would be able to take a great opportunity to understand atransnational cross-disciplinary research. My major research interests are health and activities inrelation to longevity, cognitive function and individual differences. Recently I have tried to analyze
leisure activities using a sample of about 2400 older adults (e.g., 70s, 80s, 90s, centenarians) andexamined the associations between leisure activities and other personal resources factor. I’m a memberof the SONIC(Septuagenarian, Octogenarian, Nonagenarian Investigation with Centenarian)longitudinal research project and have contributed to conducting this survey. Also, I have designed
to interview survey project especially centenarians, in other words people who are over 100 years old.
We have gone to their private homes or nursing homes and interviewed centenarians and theirfamilies about the secrets of longevity! The various experiences as a member at RENKEI programme
would provide me with an opportunity to become a specialist for making public policy in the ageing
society. I would like to get your thoughts or feedback during this programme. I’m looking forward to
sharing precious time and talking with you.

Kiyoaki Matsumoto
I have several years’ experience working as PT in the remote island which is famous forlongevity in Japan. My expertise is Public Health and Social Epidemiology. My areas ofinterest are motor function and social capital of the elderly in Japanese local areas. I
think collaboration is something like chemical reaction. One reaction could cause a newreaction one after another. I would like to make new network of different area
researchers. So I’m looking forward to meeting other participants.
- 46 -

Alison Burrows
I am a post-doctoral researcher in User-Centred Design (UCD) on the SPHERE project,which aims to develop home sensor systems to monitor the health and wellbeing ofpeople living at home. My role in SPHERE involves collaborating with researchers
from various backgrounds, advising and assisting them to apply user-centred andparticipatory design methods, to help deliver technology that is appropriate anddesirable to the stakeholders. This work has enabled me to better understandhealthcare needs and services, as well as how technology can help address emergent challenges in thisarea. I have a background in Industrial and Interior Design, but I see myself primarily as a design
researcher. I have a PhD in Inclusive Design, from Loughborough University. This research
investigated the Out-of-Box Experience (OoBE) of new technology for people aged 50 and over, with aview to positively influencing their uptake of these products. I conducted studies with older people intheir homes, using design ethnography methods such as semi-structured interviews, technology tours
and cultural probes. This approach was invaluable for me to empathise with the lived experiences ofolder people, rather than focusing solely on the negative and sometimes stereotyped aspects of ageing.
My final thesis contributed new knowledge about the importance of social interaction during the initialstages of older people’s interaction with new technology, framed within the personal significance ofindependence for older people. My areas of interest broadly include user experience design, inclusive
design, and service design, with a strong interest in interdisciplinary research.

Dulce K. Rodriguez
I am very excited about collaborating with all of you. I am sure that together we will
come up with interesting ideas while also having fun. My research interests are on how
seniors can leverage technology to become again active participants in society and how
technology may support the development of vulnerable communities throughintergenerational practice. My work on online cross-cultural intergenerational practice,
within the field of education, has the goal of enhancing the learning process throughconnected learning. About my background: I am a first-year Doctoral Researcher Student at the
University of Bristol, U.K., where I recently completed the M.Sc. in Technology, Education and Society.
I have an M.A. in Educational Leadership from the University of San Francisco, U.S.A., and abachelor’s in Telecommunication Systems Engineering from UIA Mexico. I have 8 years of experience
working at the university level in Mexico.

- 47 -

Zsombor Koszegi
I am a postdoctoral researcher, working in the Biochemistry department at the
University of Bristol, UK. My area of expertise is in experimental neuroscience. I havespent several years studying age-related neurodegenerative diseases (including
Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, and ischemia) using different animal models. In my work,
I try to understand how these diseases affect neurons in the brain and investigate
treatment mechanisms that could be beneficial for future human medical trials.
Age-related research is becoming more important and relevant to our society withlonger lifespan and other demographic changes. Unfortunately, age-related research in my field inacademia often deals with models only, while neglecting to look at the ageing population. In addition,
my research in neuroscience has yet to integrate sociological or psychological aspects. Therefore, I am
particularly interested in research projects that approach ageing from an interdisciplinary perspective.
I am keenly interested to see how basic science affects the ageing society, and to find a link between
academic research, industry, and the ageing generation. I am looking forward to getting to know
researchers from others fields, who share similar interests in age-related questions. I hope that byattending this interdisciplinary workshop, I can broaden and share my knowledge about how myresearch can contribute to a better living for everyone in an ageing society.

Alireza Abouhossein
I am a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Leeds working in assistive andrehabilitative robotics. I have mechanical engineering background that has specialized inbiomechanics. I look forward to understand how Japanese tackle the problem of the aging
society. I am interested to see these challenges from different perspectives. Of course,
collaborative efforts are also on my agenda. Therefore, I am looking forward to meetenthusiastic individuals from across globe.

Laura Soulsby
My primary research at the University of Liverpool focuses on the psychosocial impact oftransitions associated with growing older, including bereavement, chronic illness,retirement and care work. Specifically, I am interested in how these significant, andincreasingly common, life events affect interpersonal relationships and identity, and howolder adults manage these transitions, including the concept of psychological resilience.
I am very excited at the possibility of exploring cross-cultural differences in the experience of theseand other transitions in later life. This will be my first visit to Japan and I am very much looking
forward to it!
- 48 -

Juliet McClymont
My particular interests lie in the co-ordinated arrangement response of the central
nervous system (CNS) to perturbation, and how this system can be trained and improvedin people over 65 to improve balance and stability. The CNS simplifies the control ofposture and sway in balanced muscle groups that often become un-balanced during asedentary lifetime. This compounds decreases in postural stability and increases posturalsway, adding to the likelihood of falls in these people.

Clare Thetford
I am a social scientist researching health and social care, focussing upon the needs andexperiences of older people with sight loss, comorbidities and related services. My workdraws upon theory and methods of a range of disciplines, (notably sociology, psychology &demography). Projects I have led and am involved in are multi-disciplinary: sociology,
psychiatry, psychology, ophthalmic practitioners/scientists, health & social care service
providers, voluntary organisations. This work considers people living with sight loss, exploring issues
of: social support and the role of carers; social isolation and inclusion; decisions and the delivery oftreatment; and the provision of statutory and voluntary services. I am familiar with a range of
research methods but specialise in use of qualitative research methods which enables a deeper
understanding of needs and experiences of older people. My approach focusses on empowering
methods – which prioritises the voice of participants. My research is data-driven rather than having apredetermined framework of analysis. My research focusses upon the ‘lived experience’ of older people,
and through understanding this experience, seeks to explore and inform how services and policies
should be developed to better meet their needs. This work takes account of the demographic changes
which are bringing about an ‘ageing’ society but also a range of other changes, such as technology (suchas drugs and IT), and societal attitudes. I am looking forward to meeting new colleagues to makecross-cultural comparisons with a country facing similar challenges, though with a different cultural
heritage. Through discussions, I hope that innovative ideas and theories will be generated by sharing
our experiences and insights. I also look forward to creating new research partnerships andcollaborations with a view to developing grant proposals and publications. In particular, I am keen tofurther develop my work on vision impairment and the notion of ‘resilience’.

Tatiana Sanches
I studied architecture between 2001 and 2007 in the Portuguese city of Oporto. After
graduating with an M.Arch and membership of the Portuguese Institution ofArchitects in Lisbon, I worked in architectural practice in Brno, Czech Republic,
having previously spent time in the country as an Erasmus Scholar. The projects I
worked on included urban master planning, residential and commercial developments.
During the following years I practiced architecture across Portugal and in Barcelona,
Spain. In 2013 I returned to higher education to improve my knowledge of sustainable building design- 49 -

and optimisation for thermal comfort and energy efficiency. Thus I took the MSc in Energy andSustainability of Buildings in the Faculty of Engineering and the Environment at the University ofSouthampton, graduating in 2014. I was then offered the chance to pursue a PhD at Southampton on
Sustainable Cities and it was in this context that I applied for the RENKEI programme. Many
concepts of cities/towns that aim at promoting well-being among residents have arisen over recent
years. However, such concepts largely fail to consider how urban areas or neighbourhoods could be
structured in order to be suitable for older age groups and people with reduced mobility. Being awareof such issues, one of the aims of my project is not only to promote sustainability acrosscities/neighbourhoods and the well-being of their residents, but to make them inclusive to all age
groups. By attending the workshop I hope to bring together our combined knowledge to develop a newindex that considers older age groups which currently are neglected or not properly addressed in theconcepts of sustainable cities.

Caroline Olcott
My name is Caroline Olcott. I am a mature student and have just started my firstyear studying for a Ph.D at the University of Southampton. I graduated from theuniversity’s MSc. Gerontology course this year. I live part of the year in Tokyo. I
have lived in Japan for 15 years in total.

I am particularly interested incomparative research which in my case is between Japan and the UK, particularly
looking at the intersection of policy and practice and culture/society which may
produce practical recommendations for either state. I have a background in nursing and am currently
visiting a Day Care Centre in Japan as a volunteer. I am very much looking forward to attending theworkshop and having the opportunity to mix with students and academics from both Japan and theUK who all have an interest in the issues of an ageing society.

- 50 -

7. Facilitators’ Short Biographies
Tomoko Wakui
Dr. Wakui is a researcher at Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology. She has been conducting
research in the field of health science and social gerontology, focusing on informal caregiving and thedevelopment of support programs for family caregivers, while evaluating research on Long-Term Care
Insurance (LTCI) for older adults and their families. She obtained her Ph.D. degree in Health Sciencein 2012 at the Department of Social Gerontology, School of Health Sciences & Nursing, Graduate
School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Japan. She is currently working on three projects; the firstproject examines social trends in caregiving in Japan by using national data over the past 20 years,
focusing on changes since the implementation of the LTCI program. The second project examines theimpact of LTCI and community environments on the individual, based on two questionnaire surveys ofapproximately 5000 primary caregivers of older adults in Japan. The third project is a comparative
study with Johns Hopkins University. It aims to clarify how care tasks are shared in both countries,
and the impact these tasks have on family relationships and the psychological burdens on caregivers.

Yoshiko Lily Ishioka
Dr. Ishioka is a psychologist working on aging research. Her research is toinvestigate age differences and age-related changes in cognitive function from a life
course perspective. In particular, she works on two multi-cohort longitudinal
research

projects.

One

is

the

SONIC,

Septuagenarian,

Octogenarian,

Nonagenarian Investigation with Centenarian, using a sample of older adults fromboth urban and rural areas. The other is the Keio-Kawasaki Aging Study (K2Study) with data of older people in Kawasaki city. After completing her doctor’scourse in Human Sciences at Osaka University in Academic Year 2012, she became an AdjunctResearcher at Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology. She is now a Project Research Associate in
All-Round Program for Leading Graduate School “Science for Development of Super Mature Society”,
Graduate School of Science and Technology at Keio University.

Kazuhiro Harada
Dr. Harada is a postdoctoral researcher at Department of Preventive Gerontology,
National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Aichi, Japan. He received a B.S.
in Human Sciences from Osaka University in 2006, and Ph.D. in Sport Sciencesfrom Waseda University in 2011. He wrote his doctoral thesis on “A Behavioral
Approach to Promoting Strength Training among Older Adults”. His main
research interests is health behavior change (especially physical activities). He
has published in the areas of psychological and environmental determinants of physical activities,
behavioral mechanisms of mammography participation, and a relationship between going outdoors
and cognitive function among the elderly. Now he is mainly participating in a randomized control trial
to prevent further cognitive decline through physical activities among older adults with cognitive
impairments.
- 51 -

Megumi Tabuchi
Dr. Tabuchi is a Research Fellow for Young Scientists at Japan Society for the
Promotion of Science (JSPS). She received her Ph.D. in Human Sciences from Osaka
University in 2012. The doctoral thesis was “Altruistic Behavior for young
generations in old adults”. Her main research interests are intergenerational
interaction and development of “generativity”, concern for guiding and establishing
the next generations in old adults. Her research focuses on how development ofgenerativity in old adults is affected by the interaction with young people. She has
conducted cross-sectional and longitudinal survey, intervention study and experimental research to
examine the effect of intergenerational interaction, and published in the areas of gerontology.

Mai Kabayama
She is an assistant professor at Department of Health Promotion Science, Osaka
University Graduate School of Medicine from 2012. She received MS of Health
Science in 2000 from Osaka University, and studied at the University of Oregon as a
Fulbrighter in 2000 and got MS of Education. From 2001 to 2010, she worked as apublic health nurse in Osaka.
Her main research interests are community health promotion; from a view point ofsocial capital and the preventive care for the community-dwelling frail older people.
She is also interested in the preventive intervention for the people with life-style related diseases. Now
she is mainly involved in the healthy longevity study (SONIC), randomized control trial of saving
alcohol amount for keeping optimal blood pressure control (OSAKE study) and Osaka home careregistry study (OCARE).

Takeshi Nakagawa
Dr. Nakagawa is an Assistant Professor at Graduate School of Human Sciences,
Osaka University. He received B.A. of Human Sciences in 2007 and M.A. in 2009
from Osaka University. He obtained his Ph.D. in Human Sciences from Osaka
University in 2015. His doctoral thesis was ”Valuation of Life in Old Age”. His
specialties are psychology of aging and lifespan developmental psychology. He isinterested in age differences and age changes of well-being, predictors ofwell-being, and psychological adaptation to adverse situations such as decline in heath. He is now
engaging in a longitudinal research project incorporating young-old, old-old, and oldest-old adults.
Further, he is collaborating with foreign researchers and conducting cross-cultural projects.

- 52 -

List of Members who supported this Workshop
Working Group in RENKEI
Institutions

Name

Osaka University

Yasuyuki Okamura

Osaka University

Toshiya Hoshino

University of Liverpool

Samar Hasnain

University of Liverpool

Anthony Hollander

Title
Professor, Director of International Collaboration andExecutive Vice President
Professor, Director of International Collaboration andExecutive Vice President
Professor, International Lead for the Faculty of Health &Life Sciences
Professor, Head of Institute of Integrative Biology

Executive Committee in Osaka University
Institutions

Name

Title
Associate

Professor,

Graduate

Schoolof

HumanOsaka University

Yasuyuki Gondo

Osaka University

Kei Kamide

Osaka University

Kazunori Ikebe

Osaka University

Saori Yasumoto

Deputy Director of the Office of International Exchange

Osaka University

Miyako Matsui

Secretary, Graduate School of Human Sciences

University of Liverpool

Kate M Bennett

University of Liverpool

Richard Hinchcliffe

University of Liverpool

Susan Pickard

Osaka University

Sciences, Chief Organiser for RENKEI
Professor, Division of Health Sciences, Graduate Schoolof Medicine
Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics,
Gerodontology and Oral Rehabilitation

Reader, Department of Psychological Sciences and the
School of Psychology
Head of PGR Development, Center for Lifelong Learning
Reader, Department of Sociology, Social Policy andCriminology, Director of postgraduate research
Staffs, International Affairs Division, General Affairs
Section, Accounting Section, Educational Affairs Section- 53 -

International Affairs Division

Yamada oka1-1 Suita, Osaka, 565-0871 Japan
E-mail: kokusai-koryu-kikaku@office.osaka-u.ac.jp
Website: http://www.osaka-u.ac.jp
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OsakaUniversity
Research: http://resou.osaka-u.ac.jp/ja

Printed in March 2015

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