Ikitera Creation: An online community

Iki City, Nagasaki Prefecture

to create social participation for
homebound elderly and to develop
children who have the future in theirhands.
Background and Reason for the Project

become a model for regional communities that canNowadays declining population is the norm, and Iki

withstand Japan’s super-aged society.

City has already become a super-aged society
compared to the national 25-year average projection.

Project Outline

As the working-age population declines, there is aIn Iki City, a super-aged society compared to theshortage of workers in various industries and local

national 25-year projection, the focus is on theactivities, and local communities are on the path toelderlydecline. With a sustainable community where peopleworkforce) and children (who hold the future of thecan live in abundance despite a declining population

island in their hands) in building an online

as the goal, Iki is actively promoting regional

community that creates an interdependent outcome.

revitalization SDGs under the SDGs future city

This interdependence creates more energy, a sense

concept.

of purpose, and an environment with somewhere to(whohavedeparted

fromsociety’s

go and something to do for the elderly, and anProject Aims

environment of mutual learning and understanding

In Iki City, a super-aged society compared to theprovided to the children will allow them to have anational 25-year average projection, opportunities

vision for the future. Through this, Iki City can solvefor interaction between the elderly and theirits most pressing regional issues, and become agrandchildren through an ‘online terakoya’ systemmodel for regional communities that can withstandthat utilises ICT are being created. This system bringsJapan’s super-aged society.

a sense of meaning to the elderly and an opportunity
for learning to the children who will be responsible

Each provincial government is taking measures tofor the future in their daily lives. By creatingbuild a regional comprehensive support system forinterdependent outcomes through these cross-the super-aged society. However, from a perspective

generational interactions, children can gain a widerof prevention, although programmes that encourage

range of choices for their future, as the elderly canthe elderly to get out more and to move more havegain a countermeasure to being homebound and abeen started, many elderly people remain unable toform of dementia prevention. These efforts will solve

go out or who are not interested in moving or

the most pressing regional issues, allowing Iki City toexercising. This makes them vulnerable to becoming1homebound and so activities that encourage suchdeeper connection to a particular local region thanelderly people to interact with others is needed.

tourism) regardless of whether the children decided
to live on the island or leave for elsewhere.

Additionally, due to the speed of evolution of ICT, IT
literacy has become an essential life skill. However,By focusing like this on the elderly and children, this

we find ourselves in a situation where it is these very

project launched the online community Ikitera

elderly people who could benefit most from the(Terakoya in Iki) as a means to create interdependent

technological advancements who are being left

outcomes

behind, and improving their IT skills wouldinteractions. The online community is provided inundoubtedly improve their quality of life. In thiscollaboration with ‘Mirai Kodomo Kobo LLC’ whoproject, introducing regular internet use into theprovides online tutoring services and online teaching

lives of the elderly, it is expected that they willmaterials, and ‘Ware Miru, Yueni Ware Ari

acquire ICT skills naturally through enjoyment of theCorporation’ who are a nursing care and prevention

online community, and not focusing on learning ITbusiness.

itself.

The programme involves a weekly 1.5hr session,

throughthesecross-generational

using an online conference system to share brain
On the other hand, for these children on a remotetraining game materials, and to play ‘buzz sessions’island, their interaction with society and thewith a different theme each time. Special lectures areknowledge of possible future occupations are limited.

held monthly, with businesspeople and other famous
people from outside the region invited as guest
speakers. The elderly and children aged close towould be grandchildren come together and are given
the opportunity to communication on sharedmaterials and themes/topics.

Features and Innovations
Due to movement restrictions related to COVID-19
in-person gatherings continue to be difficult, and theIkitera in action

number of lonely elderly people is increasing. With
When these children grow up, in terms of

support on how to use ICT tools, communicating withconvenience and enjoyment they are likely to choose

others from home was made possible. In addition tocity life, and despite multiple jobs and remotethis, by establishing a system where it is carried out

working becoming more and more common, staying

at a fixed time every week like a chore, taking parton the island is an unlikely option for them. However,

becomes a part of their weekly routine, andthis project believes that feelings of connection toimproved IT literacy and continued participation isand pleasant memories of the island are one of thesecured.

key motivators that surpass the disadvantages ofliving on a remote island, and through developing

Results of the Project

education and teaching in addition to having a

The project adopted a programme that incorporates

connection with and pleasant memories of the island,

brain training games that all participants can enjoy

they believe that it will lead to an increase in

together from the same point of view, while working

relationship population (defined as people who haveto prevent dementia in the elderly and promote2memory, hearing, and vision improvement in theFuture Developments (expected effects and projectchildren.

vision and issues)

In addition, a ‘buzz session’ where experts fromMoving towards the end of the pandemic, theoutside the region are invited to attend (onlyproject will continue to create opportunities to try

possible online) is a positive stimulus and isout the service while gradually increasing awareness.

beneficial for forming a vision of the future for theAdditionally, by encouraging participation fromchildren.

people in their 40s and 50s who already have high IT
literacy, the project aims to promote good health byestablishing preventive measures at an early stage.
Furthermore, by having the those of a working age
participate, the project hopes to provide the children
participants with a more advanced social interaction
and to expand their possibilities.

Contact:
Affiliation: Sustainability Transformation Division
Tel.: +81-0920-48-1137

Brain training materials

E-mail: iki-sdgs@city.iki.lg.jp

Issues, Problems and Responses
Although the positive effects of the project are clear
from participants’ responses, the cost of introducing
ICT tools for the elderly was an obstacle. The project
collaborated with exercise-based elderly care andprevention workshops etc. and gave the elderly theimportant chance to try out participating. However,
due to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing the elderlywith opportunities to gather remains difficult.

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