Okiden CplusC (President: Hiraku Nakadonari, “Okiden CplusC”), a joint venture between Okinawa Electric Power Company, Japan Integration Corporation and Inspire Investment Corporation, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MIKAWAYA21 Corporation (President: Keiya Aoki, “MIKAWAYA21”) in order to realize the commercialization of ‘Mimamori’.

Since its establishment in May 2021, CplusC has successfully conducted the large-scale social pilot project ‘Mimamori for Elderly’ in 14 local governments in Okinawa Prefecture, covering more than 70% of elderly residents in the prefecture, to detect motion and sleep, in consideration of privacy without using microphones, cameras or wearables. Based on the experience and knowledge achieved, the company is now ready for the full-scale commercialization in Okinawa and nationwide in Japan.

MIKAWAYA21 since its establishment in 2012, has been offering ‘Magokoro Support’ to help the elderly solve all kinds of “small problems” in their daily lives. As of March 2024, more than 2,300 staff ‘concierges’ are active in support the elderly through 220 franchise partners nationwide that conduct community-based business. 

The two companies have already collaborated in Kunigami, Ogimi, and Higashi villages under the Okinawa Prefecture’s grant since July 2023 to visit the elderly homes and to provide lifestyle support by utilizing the know-how of MIKAWAYA21. Through this collaboration, MIKAWAYA21 has realized initiatives to deepen ties in the community by leveraging the data provided by CplusC and to effectively communicate closely with the elderly as well as to strengthen relationships with local governments and related organizations such as social welfare councils, welfare committee members.

The conclusion of this MOU was reached after the two companies confirmed that they would work closely together to commercialize ‘Mimamori’ by utilizing MIKAWAYA21’s nationwide franchise network from now on. Along with the conclusion of the MOU, 40 owners and executives from 26 MIKAWAYA21 franchise partners has visited Okinawa to experience the CplusC demon house, to meet with the Ogimi Village local government and the Mayor of Kawada Ward in Higashi Village, and to deepen understanding of the social pilot project sucess.

This MOU will accelerate the expansion of ‘Mimamori’ from Okinawa to all local governments nationwide and help solve the social issues of increased time and financial burden on local governments and families in Japan, which shows the world’s most aged population rate. Both companies will serve to help realize a society in which the elderly can continue to live with a smile and in good health by this collaboration.

About CplusC’s ‘Mimamori – The World’s Leading Aging/Healthcare Tech from Japan

　Japan has the world’s fastest aging population, and the increasing burden on local governments and related organizations to care for the elderly, as well as the increasing time and financial burden on families who care for the elderly, have become social issues. In Okinawa Prefecture, the number of single-living elderly households is increasing at a pace faster than the national average, and there have been concerns about the burden on local governments and community officials, such as dealing with solitary deaths, as well as concerns about families living apart from their children.

To solve these issues, CplusC has concluded agreements with 14 cities, towns, and villages in Okinawa Prefecture (covering more than 70% of elderly residents in the prefecture) under a project subsidized by the Japan Government Cabinet Office and Okinawa Prefecture since 2021, and has achieved success to prove the ‘Mimamori’ service model by utilizing the world’s most advanced WiFi sensing technologies.

Helping to reduce the burden on local government and related organizations.

According to the 2023 ‘White Paper on the Elderly’ published by Japan Government Cabinet Office, the number of households with elderly persons is 25.81 million, accounting for 49.7% of all households in Japan. The burden on local governments and related organizations in relation to solitary deaths and elderly care has been increasing, and a survey conducted by CplusC has revealed that it is difficult to respond to these issues with existing measures alone.

CplusC’s ‘Mimamori’ will help reduce the burden on local government officials by providing the world’s most advanced WiFi sensing devices to all households of elderly residents, without cameras, microphones, or wearables, and with privacy-conscious, and by enabling ‘Mimamori’ to recognize the support needed by the elderly more quickly. This will contribute further to reducing the burden on local government and community officials by providing human support by MIKAWAYA21.

Providing peace of mind for families living apart from their elderly parents

According to the 2023 ‘White Paper on the Elderly’ published by Japan Government Cabinet Office, three-generation households accounted for the largest proportion of all households in 1980 (50.1%), has decreased to 9.3% by 2021. With the majority of families living apart from their elderly parents, the concerns and anxieties of families are increasing.

CplusC’s ‘Mimamori’ ‘visualizes’ the motion and sleep status of the elderly at 24 / 365, while taking privacy into consideration, making it possible to grasp the situation in a timely manner even if the elderly live far away. Its large social demonstration has shown that this is contributing to deepening the bonds between the elderly and their family members. In situations such as when family members are far away, it is envisioned that local MIKAWAYA21 members will serve to provide necessary support.

About Okiden CplusC (Head office: Ginowan, Okinawa)

Established in 2021 as a joint venture by Okinawa Electric Power Company, Japan Integration Corporation, and Inspire Investment Corporation. Signed agreements with 14 local governments in Okinawa as of March 2024 and succeeded in a large-scale demonstration of ‘Mimamori’ in areas covering more than 70% of elderly residents. The goal is to deliver ‘Energy of Heart’ to the people in Okinawa and all over Japan by contributing to the creation of healthy and smile-filled lifestyles through ‘Yui’ bonds.

About MIKAWAYA21 (Head office: Arakawa, Tokyo)

　Since 2012, MIKAWAYA21 has been providing ‘Magokoro Support’, a one-stop solution for the elderly, under the vision of “enriching the elderly’s everyday lives and being a good neighbor”. ‘Magokoro Support’ is to assist the elderly in all aspects of their daily lives.

Contact: Kenny Kurokawa, Inspire Corporation (TEL: +81-3-6418-1091)