Japan - Sweden Conference on
'Challenges and Opportunities in Aging Society’

  On October 7, 2009, a symposium entitled, “Gerontology: Relief for Large Scale Aging Society” was held by experts in two countries; Japan where people’s longevity is highest in the world and Sweden which is an advanced nation of aged society. After greetings by Junichi Hamada (President, The University of Tokyo), Anders Hallberg (President, University of Uppsala), and Stefan Noreén (Ambassador of Sweden to Japan), Hiroshi Komiyama (President Emeritus, The University of Tokyo), and Peje Emilsson (Executive Chairman, Kreab Gavin Anderson) delivered key-note speeches. This was followed by a panel discussion by 7 experts, which was intently listened to by about 900 audiences.

See the poster here.

Public Symposium, “Gerontology: Relief for Large Scale Aging Society”

Program

M.C.: Akihiko Tanaka (Vice President, The University of Tokyo)

1:00	Opening
1:05Â	Welcome Address
	Junichi Hamada  Â	President, The University of Tokyo
	Anders Hallberg  Â	 President, University of Uppsala
	Stefan Noreén	Ambassador of Sweden to Japan

Moderator: Masato Hara (Editorial Writer, Asahi Shimbun)

 

1:20	Keynote Speech
	“Platinum Town: Our challenge to limited resources and population aging”
	Hiroshi Komiyama	Chairman, Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc./President Emeritus, The University of Tokyo
	“Ageing society: Options and challenges from a business point of view”
	Peje Emilsson	Chairman and CEO, Magnora, /Executive Chairman, Kreab Gavin Anderson   /Chairman of the board, Kunskapsskolan

2:45-3:00Â

Break

3:00	Panel Discussion
Future direction of social system in aging society
	1. “Prospects and threats of ageing society – a general perspective”
	　　Lars Magnusson  Â Â	Professor, Uppsala University
	2. “Swedish priorities in elderly care – dignity, individualization and health promotion”
	　　Gunilla Malmborg  Â Â Â	Director, Social Services Unit, Swedish Ministry of Health and Social Affairs
	3. “Population aging and social security in Sweden and Japan”
	　　Takanobu Kyogoku  Â Â	Director, National Institute of Population and Social Security
Health and social services in aging society
	4. “Trends in Swedish care for the elderly”
	　　Per Gunnar Edebalk	Professor, University of Lund
	5. “Trends in Japanese care for the elderly”
	　　Tetsuo Tsuji    Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â	Professor, Institute of Gerontology, The University of Tokyo
Industry and aging society
	6. “Challenges for innovative design in technology and building”
	　　Inga Malmqvist  Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â	Associate Professor, Chalmers University
	7. “Industry and aging society: “Future in healthcare field” ”
	　　Masanori Akiyama  Â Â Â	Professor, Todai Policy Alternatives Research Institute, University 　of Tokyo

4:55Â

Closing : Akihiko Tanaka (Vice President, The University of Tokyo)

Poster/Exhibition

New technologies and research activities of research facilities of private-sector businesses and universities were introduced in the exhibition at the Forum in the Faculty of Engineering Building No. 2. Domestic and international companies in various industries in the private sector participated and showed their latest technologies, products, and services, which may support elderly consumers’ quality of life. Two research institutes of the The University of Tokyo also introduced their research activities and outcomes.

List of participating companies and organizations

Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd.  Â Â Â Â Â 

Toshiba Corporation    Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 

Hitachi, Ltd.

Shiseido, Co., Ltd.       Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 

Nippon Life Insurance Company

Procter & Gamble Japan K.K.  Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 

Nichirei Foods, Inc.

Health Support Network, Inc.  Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 

Siemens Japan      Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 

France Telecom

Ergonomidesign Japan    Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 

Sweden Quality Care

Todai Policy Alternatives Research Institute, UT

Institute of Gerontology, UT

Workshops

On 8th and 9th of October, researchers from Japan and Sweden gathered in three groups and presented their latest research findings. Themes of the workshops were: (1) Policies and programs for aged society, (2) Biomedical research and education for elderly citizens, and (3) Technologies to support living of the elderly. On October 8th, researchers from Japan and Sweden presented their research papers and exchanged ideas throughout the day. On the next day, participants shared important research themes that Japan and Sweden should work together, and discussed the feasibility of research collaboration among research institutes in Japan and Sweden.

Download the handouts here.

Sponsor/Joint Sponsor/Support

Sponsor：The The University of Tokyo, VINNOVA, FAS, The Vrdal Foundation

Support：The Asahi Shimbun Company, Embassy of Sweden,

Swedish Agency for Growth Policy Analysis - Growth Analysis

Special Joint Sponsor： Nippon Life Insurance Company