THE GERONTECH
MARKET IN JAPANSwiss Business Hub Japan
c/o Embassy of Switzerland
5-9-12 Minami Azabu, Minato-ku
106-8589 Tokyo Japan
tok.sbhjapan@eda.admin.chThe Gerontech
Market in JapanOVERVIEW
The world’s leading economies are confronted tothe reality of the aging of their populations. Japan
stands at the forefront of this socio-economicalchallenge. In 2015, 26,7% of the Japanese
population was aged 65 and over.

TOKYO

Forecasts show that one person out of threewill be over 65 by 2030, and one out of five over
75 (super-aging segment), with about 250,000seniors 100 and over at that time.

OSAKA

FUKUOKA

This factor is aggravated by high life expectancy
and a low birthrate that have led the country
into a steep demographic decline since the1990s (source: Japanese National Institute ofPopulation and Social Security Research).

Japan
Pop : 126 mio
GDP :$4.841 trillion (3rd)Population over 65 years : 26.7%

COMPARATIVE RATIOS OF POPULATION OVER 65(source: UN, World Population Prospects – 2010)
(%)
45.0

Japan
40.0

35.0

India
Sweden
Spain

30.0
25.0

20.0

15.0

10.0

5.0

1950
1955
1960
1965
1970
1975
1980198519901995
2000
20052010201520202025203020352040204520500.0

GermanyFranceSociety 5.0
SOLUTIONS FOR A SUPERAGING
POPULATIONMEDICAL INDUSTRY

Facing pressing financial burdens causedby exploding health costs, Japan must findsolutions to help its aging residents: improvetheir health (medical industry), relieve
overloaded infrastructures (nursing and careindustry), and provide a pleasant living, riskfree environment to seniors (quality of life
industry).

NURSING &CARE INDUSTRYQUALITY OF LIFE INDUSTRY

In the field of nursing care alone, costs havesoared over the past fifteen years, going from
3.6 trillion JPY in 2000, to 10.4 trillion JPY in2016.

COSTS OF NURSING CARE IN
JAPAN 2000-2016
Trillions of JPY

12
108
64
3.6

4.6

5.2

5.7

6.2

6.4

6.4

6.7

6.9

7.4

7.8

8.2

8.8

9.2

10.0

10.1

10.4

20GDP %

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 20162000

20012002

2003

2004

2005

2007

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

0.7%

0.9%

1.0%

1.1%

1.2%

1.3%

1.3%

1.3%

1.4%

1.6%

1.6%1.8%

1.8%

1.9%

2.0%

Since 2017, the Japanese government favors an in-depth socio-economic transformation of Japanto reach a so-called “Society 5.0”. The public and private sectors at large are encouraged to turntowards innovative solutions stemming from the Fourth Industrial Revolution, such as robots,
use of Big Data, drones, AI-based solutions, and IoT tools.
They are seen as one of the main sources of solutions to tackle issues raised by the super-aging
trend of the population.
With the baby-boomer generation reaching 75 in 2025, the Japanese government has laid downa strategy relying on such innovation to extend the range of the “healthy lifespan” of Japanese
population.
The official goal is for Japan to become the world’s first lifelong active and healthy society,where appropriate medical and nursing care can be provided to residents, regardless of theirlocation.
The total size of the so-called “Silver Market” is thus estimated to reach 101.3 trillion JPY by 2025
(902.85 billion CHF), a 61% growth compared to 2007.
More specifically, the medical sector will reach 35 trillion JPY (311.9 billion CHF, + 116%), thenursing industry 15.2 trillion JPY (135.48 billion CHF, +137.5%), and the quality of life segment
51.5 trillion JPY (456.34 billion CHF, +26.8%).

SILVER MARKET SIZE BY 2025

MEDICAL SECTOR+ 116%

35 trillion JPY(311.9 billion CHF)

+61%

NURSING INDUSTRY+ 137.5%

15.2 trillion JPY(135.48 billion CHF)QUALITY OF LIFE INDUSTRY+ 26.8%51.5 trillion JPY(456.34 billion CHF )101.3 trillion JPY

Market Needs
ROBOTICS
Robotics is gaining significant traction, not only to relieve the physical burden of workers or toreplace them altogether, but also to maintain and promote the independence of individuals at home.
In 2018, the market size of care-oriented robotics in Japan is expected to reach 1.332 billion JPY,
a 34.7% increase from 2017, and 3.765 billion JPY by 2021.

TRENDS AND FORECASTS OF THE JAPANESE CARE ROBOTMARKET

4000

Billions of JPY

3,765
3,375

3500
2,860

3000
2500
1,932
2000

8.2

1,682
1,434

1500

6.4

1000
500
02016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

In the robotics sector, needs include communication robots, robotic assistance to move bed-ridden
seniors, surveillance robots that provide assistance to on-site nurses to reduce the number of nurse
calls, rehabilitation and exercise equipment, or special bathing apparatus.
Walking and overall mobility assistance for elderly people is also a high priority. Latest models ofwalkers implement new technologies.

EXAMPLES OF MANUFACTURERS OF EXTERNAL SUITSASSISTING CAREGIVERS

Smart Support Co., Ltd.
http://smartsupport.co.jp/

ATOM Project LLP
http://www.t-atom.com/

Kikuchi Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
http://www.kikuchiseisakusho.co.jp/

Cyberdyne corporation
https://www.cyberdyne.jp/english/

Smart Suit EX
http://robotcare.jp/?page_id=198
Power Assist Suit
http://robotcare.jp/?page_id=851
Suit for nursing care
http://robotcare.jp/?page_id=849
HAL Robotic Belt
http://robotcare.jp/?page_id=846

OTHER IMPORTANT MANUFACTURERS OF TRANSFER AID
ROBOTS INCLUDE:
Sumitomo Riko Corp.
https://www.sumitomoriko.co.jp/

Sekisuki Home Techno Corp.
http://www.sekisui-hometechno.co.jp/,

Toyota Motor Corp.
https://www.toyota.co.jp/

Yaskawa Electric Corp.
https://www.yaskawa.co.jp/product/medical

Panasonic AgeFree Corp.
https://panasonic.co.jp/es/pesaf/EXAMPLES OF MANUFACTURERS OF ROBOTS AND WALKERSASSISTING SENIOR MOBILITY :Kikuchi Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
http://www.kikuchiseisakusho.co.jp/

TacaoF Co. Ltd.
https://www.tacaof.co.jp/

Kawamura Cycle Co., Ltd.
http://www.kawamura-cycle.co.jp/kawamura_hp/

Cyberdyne corporation
https://www.cyberdyne.jp/english/

Imasen Engineering Co., Ltd.

Azbil Co., Ltd.
https://www.azbil.com/index.html

RT Works Works, Ltd
https://www.rtworks.co.jp/

Shintec Hozumi Co., Ltd.
http://sales.shcl.co.jp/

Body weight support travel aid
http://robotcare.jp/?page_id=58KeePace (inverted pendulum technology)
http://robotcare.jp/?page_id=859

RoboCart: outdoor walking assistance
http://robotcare.jp/?page_id=857

Tecpo : Outdoor mobility powered aid.
http://robotcare.jp/?page_id=2298

Robot-Assisted Walker
http://robotcare.jp/?page_id=171

Robot-assisted walker for uneven terrain
http://robotcare.jp/?page_id=865

Otasuke Walker
http://robotcare.jp/?page_id=863

Robot-Assisted Walker RT.1
http://robotcare.jp/?page_id=273

Market Needs
AI-BASED SOLUTIONS
AI-based solutions to detect onset of dementia/support patients affected by dementia are also ofinterest.
In general, AI-based solutions linked to diagnosis and treatment to improve the quality of chronic
medical are needed.
Products and software able to predict events based on life rhythms (such as ultrasonic sensors
backed-up by AI to predict timing of urine excretion) are needed to improve the dignity and general
quality of life of the elderly, reduce the burden of caregivers and improve their efficiency, whether
at home, in care centers or in hospital.
AI-based software integrated into smartphones or personal devices to detect and/or preventthe onset of dementia and/or diminish its consequences to allow those affected to maintain theirautonomy at home are one of the main areas of opportunities.

Use of wearable terminals for remote monitoring, of IoT devices
and equipment collecting and analyzing data related to life
rhythms are particularly of interest to identify onset of dementia
but also the progression of disease and the worsening of symptoms.
In October 2018, SoftBank Robotics Corp. (https://www.softbank.
jp/en/corp/group/sbr/ ) and its parent company SoftBank Corp.
(https://www.softbank.jp/corp/), launched an experiment
program using their humanoid communication robot“Pepper” in a nursing home center.
The goal is to use this robot, able to adapt toeach patient thanks to facial recognition, as a
dialogue partner for patients suffering fromdementia and to support speech and handrehabilitation.
With an estimated 7 million(Japan’s population in total:127 million) affected bydementia by 2025, and one infive possibly developing symptoms,
the challenges for handling this disease
are enormous, especially when combined
to superaging factor. Market potential issignificant.

JAPANESE POPULATION AFFECTED BY DEMENTIA
34.3%

10752018%

16%

15%
4.62

5.25

2012

2015

6.31

2020

20.6%

7.30

2025

Millions of people

23.2%

8.30

2030

25.4%

9.53

27.8%

10.16

40%
30%

11.54

20%
10%

2040

2050

2060

0%

Pct. of persons over 65

RATIO OF ELDERLY POPULATION AFFECTED BY DEMENTIA
55.5%

60%

45%

30%

24.4%

15%

10.9%
2.2%

0%

65-69 Years

4.9%
70-74Years

75-79 Years

80-84 Years

TYPE OF DEMENTIAOTHERS
15%

VASCULAR DEMENTIA
15%

DEMENTIA WITH LEWY BODIES20%

ALZHEIMER
50%

Over 85 Years

Pct. of persons over 65

Millions of people

12

EXAMPLES OF MANUFACTURERS OF DEMENTIA MANAGEMENTSYSTEMS :Fluoro Works Co., Ltd.
https://www.furo.org/index.html

Logical Product Co., Ltd.
http://www.lp-d.co.jp/

Kyokko Co. Ltd.
http://www.kyokko.co.jp/

Idea Quest Co., Ltd.
http://www.ideaquest4u.com/

Nissho Denki Co. Ltd.
http://www.nissho-denki.co.jp/

Sharp Corporation
http://www.sharp.co.jp/

RTC Co., Ltd.
http://www.rtc-corp.co.jp/

Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
https://funai.jp/

Dementia Care Management Platformhttp://robotcare.jp/?page_id=282
Networked Outlet Monitoring Robot for Dementia
Patients
http://robotcare.jp/?page_id=115

Monitoring Support Platform for People withDementia
http://robotcare.jp/?page_id=180
Non-contact Tracking System of Dementia Patientsused on Beds using FG Vision Sensor
http://robotcare.jp/?page_id=127

Non-contact Monitoring System using Infrared Array
http://robotcare.jp/?page_id=153

Monitoring Support Platform for Care Facility
http://robotcare.jp/?page_id=165

Out-of-bed Prediction and Notification System forDementia Patients
http://robotcare.jp/?page_id=877

Market Needs
REMOTE SENSOR AND MONITORINGTECHNOLOGYWith an estimated 6 million seniors living alone by 2025, many in increasingly isolated rural areas,
technology-based products allowing caretakers (families and/or social workers) to check remotely
their status, thus compensating for distance, lack of personnel and failing demographics, are alsoneeded.
Areas of interest include delivery drones, remote sensors, smart house, home furniture designed
to guarantee safety, solutions to ease up housework tasks, mobility and shopping, or senior-friendly
applications making it easy to stay in touch with family members and friends to keep them sociallyconnected and active.
The market size of remote sensor and monitoring market for the elderly reached 9.8 billion JPY in
2016 and is expected to reach 13.9 billion JPY by 2025 as family awareness regarding the safetyof elderly members increases.
Emergency call solutions make up for the biggest market share in this sector, as many users arereluctant to be monitored constantly. Individuals, but also their families and even municipalities
purchase those solutions, as part as their services to local residents.
Ranking second is the sub-sector of remote monitoring sensors, combined or not to wearable
devices, able to check and confirm the safety of elderly people who fear accidents, sudden changes
in their physical condition or wandering outside due to dementia.
During the night, in case of anomaly, images are sent to the smartphone of surveillance personnel.
Such a system allows to prioritize calls based on urgency and improve efficiency.

Solxyz Imarumo HI
Includes a Notification button,
luminance sensor, motion/micro-tremor sensor, humidity
and temperature sensor,

Displaying all the information on
the smartphone.

Market Needs
REMOTE SENSOR AND MONITORINGTECHNOLOGY
Another growing sub-sector is the utilities and infrastructure monitoring service.
Relying on IoT technology, the safety of the elderly is confirmed through theregular use of utilities such as electricity and gas, or bathroom furniture (toilets). An
additional benefit of this system is that it is possible to review electricity rates andgas charges.
Here, too, AI and IoT will play a key role and their use is also expected to growsignificantly.
For example, Earth Eyes Co. Ltd. and the social welfare service company Yoshimitsu
launched in September 2018 an AI-based robot camera affixed on the ceiling of theliving room. It detects body movement and based on collected data regarding thedaily habits and behavior of the patient, it is able to analyze aberrations, predict
falls and send alerts to nursing personnel (source: http://www.innervision.co.jp/products/release/20181019).
Another example of patient monitoring is the « Patient Watcher » designed byAlco Ex Co. Ltd. Patient Watcher is a system that analyzes recordings of bodymovements – including lack of movement - taped by infrared cameras and thennotifies to nursing personnel anomalies. Using Cloud technology, information can besent to desk computers, smartphones or pre-existing nurse call networks (https://kaigorobot-online.com/contents/9).

Communication giant NTT DATA has developed a monitoring service for nursing
homes, by combining infrared cameras, ground sensors, bioreading captors and acommunication robot.
During the night, in case of anomaly, images are sent to the smartphone ofsurveillance personnel. Such a system allows to prioritize calls based on urgency
and improve efficiency. https://newswitch.jp/p/14441

EXAMPLES OF MANUFACTURERS OF MONITORING SYSTEMSSolxyz Co., Ltd.
https://www.solxyz.co.jp/

ADT Corp.
http://adtco.biz/

CQ-S Net Co., Ltd.
http://radar-light.com/index.html

Fuji Software Co., Ltd.
http://www.fsi.co.jp/

Idea Quest Co., Ltd.
http://www.ideaquest4u.com/

Toli Co., Ltd.
https://www.toli.co.jp/

GOV Co., Ltd.
http://www.go-v.co.jp/

Koga Software Co., Ltd.
https://www.kogasoftware.com/

Monitoring aid system “Imairumo HI”
http://robotcare.jp/?page_id=2322

Cloud monitoring system using 3D sensors for homenursing care
http://robotcare.jp/?page_id=2332
Monitoring system using radar technology (falldetector for private homes)
http://robotcare.jp/?page_id=2336
Monitoring robot for fall detection and prevention athome
http://robotcare.jp/?page_id=2345

Bathroom/Washroom Monitoring System
http://robotcare.jp/?page_id=4387

ETERIOR® MAT : cordless, battery-less, wirelessmonitoring mat
http://robotcare.jp/?page_id=96

Vital Sensing Monitoring System
http://robotcare.jp/?page_id=888

Safety Monitoring System using 24GHz RadarTechnology
http://robotcare.jp/?page_id=873

Opportunities for SwissCompanies

Established Swiss companies and start-ups alike that have developed tech tools and solutions thattarget the “Silver market”, or that could be adapted to such needs, can find in Japan many attractive
opportunities.
•

Remote sensors and monitoring systems•

External suits to help nurses and care personnel carry patients•

Biosensors•

Dementia-compensating or preventing tools and apps

Japan faces a serious shortage of human resources with advanced IT skills and background in thefield of Big Data, IoT, AI, etc. In light of the stringent social and economic challenges generated by
the superaging process of the population, solutions developed by companies overseas that can beintegrated into local projects or with local partners, through open innovation, are needed.
Large domestic actors such as Yaskawa Corp. (https://www.yaskawa-global.com/ world leader in themechatronics industry) have adopted such a strategy and begun to acquire foreign startups, as they
acknowledge their lack of in-house skills and resources to reach some of their development goals. Thisis also true in the specific welfare and medical fields.
In 2017, private sector financial assets hit 3 quadrillion JPY (25 trillion CHF), and foreign acquisition
activity and FDI grew by 20.2 percent.

Want to Know More?
CONTACT US !
Together with experienced industry specialists, the Swiss Business Hub Japan will help Swissand Liechtenstein companies explore and develop their chances based upon customized and indepth analysis.
The Swiss Business Hub in Tokyo can open doors to the Japanese Gerontech sector and yourpotential partners.
Our team in Switzerland and Japan will help you decide on a suitable market strategy for Japan.
We will prepare a service package based on your specific requirements and business priorities.
We work with a wide network of local partners and industry experts.

Head of Swiss Business Hub JapanClaudio.Mazzucchelli@eda.admin.ch+81 70 4321 8533
+41 (0)58 480 0128

Deputy Head of Swiss Business Hub Japanyumiko.kijima@eda.admin.ch

Swiss Business Hub Japan
c/o Embassy of Switzerland
5-9-12 Minami Azabu, Minato-ku
106-8589 Tokyo Japan
tok.sbhjapan@eda.admin.ch

https://swissbiz.jp