KEYWORDS USED FOR WWW SEARCH:

Research Center in Otsuki Town, Under-populated area, Info-communications

PROJECT NAME:

Development of public health, medical and welfare service applications utilizing information communications technology in under-populated areas

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN AND CURRENT LOCATION:

Otsuki Town, Kochi Prefecture, Japan

PROJECT COORDINATOR:

Telecommunications Advancement Organization of Japan

BRIEF OVERALL PROJECT SUMMARY:

The project aims at the development of and utility verification test of an info-communications system combining wired and radio communication which is both simple to use and inexpensive, and that could be a representative of a model in terms of existing demand for communications in rural areas like Otsuki town in Kochi prefecture where the ratio of the elderly people among inhabitants is conspicuously high compared with any other part of Japan.
When completed, the system will make a material contribution to realization of economical information communications system in under-populated regions.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES:

Promotion of the building of an information communications system in the field of health care, medical and welfare service in under-populated area where the ratio of elderly people to all inhabitants is significantly high and where there is a serious shortage of specialists in medical and welfare services such as doctors, nurses and home-care specialists. When implemented, such system would make a major contribution to the realization of society where everybody can utilize advanced info-communications capabilities and are able to maximize its benefits.

EXPECTED/ACTUAL RESULTS:

Information communications system applicable to the field of health care, medical and welfare services in under-populated areas is expected to be identified as a result of this project and there will be a promotion of practical system based on relevant model both in Japan and in foreign countries.

TARGET GROUP:

PARTNERS/ACTORS IN THE PROJECT:

Local government and public utilities, those organizations related to health care, medical and welfare services, manufacturers of telecommunications equipment etc.

USE OF INFORMATION / TELEMATIC TECHNOLOGIES:

Radio telecommunications technology, multi-media communications technology, image communications technology etc.

BENEFITS TO THE INFORMATION SOCIETY:

The project is intended to promote implementation of info-communications systems in under-populated areas, which represent one of the major and impending constraints that would be associated with the society composed largely of elderly people in the 21st century in Japan

EXPECTED COST:

1.2 billion yen