Outline of collaborative research
A Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare survey reveals that 55.1% of people have never discussed their preferred end-of-life care with family or healthcare professionals, mainly due to a lack of opportunity (56.0%). This gap highlights the need for structured approaches like Advance Care Planning (ACP), a process that helps individuals make personalized healthcare decisions for later life. Yet, around 90% have not created written directives for these final-stage decisions.
In the U.S., more people are choosing hospice care, supported by tools like Advance Directives (ADs)―legally binding documents that capture end-of-life preferences. These include Living Wills and Durable Powers of Attorney for Health Care, with impactful initiatives like “Five Wishes” helping over 40 million Americans specify their desires.
Inspired by both Japanese and U.S. approaches, this research seeks to empower elderly individuals by gathering personal life data (residential history, occupation, social networks, etc.) to enhance ACP. By working closely with medical professionals and researchers, the study aims to categorize and utilize this data to support meaningful end-of-life planning. The focus will be on super-aged societies in Japan and advanced ACP regions in the U.S., including areas like Shima City, Kyoto, Boston, and Sun City.
Papers, etc.
- A STUDY ON THE METHOD OF COLLECTING LIFE PLANNING DATA OF EACH ELDERLY PERSON USING AN DIALOGICAL APPROACH FORTHE CONSTRUCTION OF A COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY CARE SYSTEM -For Hamajima District of Hamajima Town and Nakiri District of Daio Town, Shima City, Mie Prefecture-, Journal of the Japan Association of Regional Development and Vitalization, Vol.16, pp.87-93, 2022
Symposia, seminars, etc.
International workshop
- The Game of Life from Age 60 (US Edition) at MIT AgeLab, February 21-22, 2023
- The Game of Life from Age 60 (US Edition) at MIT AgeLab, February 21-22, 2024
International conference
- Gerontology & Longevity Economy Perspective I, Friday 22, March, 2024
- Gerontology & Longevity Economy Perspective II, Friday 6, September, 2024
- Gerontology & Longevity Economy Perspective III -Kyoto Round-Table Conference-, February 16, 2025
With the cooperation of the MIT AgeLab, we conducted a workshop session on “The Game of Life from Age 60 (English version).” The short film (mostly in Japanese) outlines the elements of the research trip made in March 2023 in a V-log style!
Future prospects/aspiration
This study proposed a new approach to eliciting the thoughts of senior citizens about life planning using board games, and then quantitatively evaluating them from the perspective of positive health through questionnaires. In contrast to the interview-based methods used previously, this approach has enabled us to comprehensively explore the issues and meaning of life for the older generation.
We would like to have as many senior citizens as possible experience “The Game of Life from Age 60” for data collection. We then intend to analyze the collected data to elucidate the life and death views of senior citizens as well as their diverse needs and issues. Ultimately, we hope to share our findings with appropriate medical and nursing care services.
