Swiss-Japan Aging Forum on Health, Loneliness and Poverty

Swiss-Japan Aging Forum on Health, Loneliness and Poverty

Swissnex in Japan is thrilled to share the success of our recent event, the "Swiss-Japan Aging Forum on Health, Loneliness, and Poverty," which took place on April 19th, 2023. We were honored to welcome two esteemed sabbaticals from Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Ms. Flurina Meier Schwarzer and Ms. Christina Erös, who shared their invaluable insights and experiences. They shared the current situation of elderly people in Switzerland and their research achievements in tackling the situation they are facing. In addition, we had the pleasure of hosting three distinguished Japanese experts: Dr. Jun Sasaki from Yushoukai Medical Corporation, Prof. Keiko Katagiri, Head of Advanced Research Center for Well-being and professor at Kobe University, and Prof. Yusuke Hatamoto from Doshisha University. These experts provided a wealth of knowledge from both Swiss and Japanese perspectives, with a focus on both research and practical applications. We received lively and engaging questions from the audience, which allowed us to delve deeper into the issues surrounding an aging population. I hope this event provided a platform for us to further contemplate the common challenges faced by both Switzerland and Japan.

The Experts

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    Bio

    Flurina Meier Schwarzer

    Deputy Head of Health Services Research, Zurich University of Applied Sciences School of Management and Law

    Meier has been a Scientific collaborator and Ph.D. candidate in the School of Management and Law since 2021 and Deputy Head of Health Services Research. Her research focus is elderly care, financing long-term care, and its systematic review. During her stay, she focuses on the difference between the use of ambulatory care and home care in Switzerland and Japan.

  • Bio

    Christina Erös

    Customer Relationship Manager, Zurich University of Applied Sciences School of Social Work

    Erös visited Japan on behalf of the School of Social Work. Her objective was to explore methods for supporting the physical and mental health of the elderly in Japan and methods for supporting them through society as a whole, as well as solutions to various challenges using cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and robots.

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    Bio

    Keiko Katagiri

    Professor, Head of the Research Center, Advanced Research Center for Well-being Kobe University

    Katagiri conducts interdisciplinary research with a focus on the psychology of society, particularly the active participation of elderly people, human relationships, and communication in the super-aging society. She also serves as the director of the newly established Advanced Research Center for Well-being at Kobe University.

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    Bio

    Jun Sasaki

    CEO/Chairman, Yushoukai Medical Corporation

    Sasaki is CEO of Yushoukai Medical Corp, the largest group of home care clinics (21 clinics, 84 doctors, 7500 home care patients) in Japan．
    Due to his achievement, he received various prizes including Global Ageing Influencer in 2018, 4th & 5th Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards in 2016 and 2017 (best home care provider), and the winner of the Forbes Wellness Award in 2016.

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    Bio

    Yusuke Hatamoto

    Professor, Doshisha University Faculty of Policy Studies

    Hatamoto has been studying social security and social welfare issues from a sociological perspective for many years. He also serves as a member of the Kyoto Prefectural Employment Support Center and has a deep understanding of both practical and research aspects.

「日本とスイスの交流の機会を作っていただき大変感謝しております。国を超えて考えて行かなければならない高齢化の問題を考える良いきっかけとなりました。」
"I am very grateful for creating opportunities for exchange between Japan and Switzerland. It has become a good opportunity to think about the issue of aging, which must be considered beyond national borders." - Yusuke Hatamoto, Doshisha University

“A meaningful exchange of views between Japanese and Swiss experts on the shared challenges of super-aging, loneliness, isolation and poverty among the elderly.
It was a learning opportunity.” - Jun Sasaki, CEO/Chairman, Yushoukai Medical Corporation

“Deep insights into the challenges posed by rapidly aging populi and on the two countries' home care strategies.” - Simon Psenner, Commercial Officer, Kansai Region, Austrian Embassy Commercial Section

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