Orange Innovation Project

We are pleased to report that Assoc Prof. Hara (Director of the Association for People with Dementia and their Families, Associate Professor at Niigata Prefectural College of Nursing) and Dr. Baba (International Exchange Committee Member of the Association for People with Dementia and their Families) were invited by The Japan Research Institute, Limited to participate in the international networking event ‘Current Status of Participatory Development Involving Persons with Dementia and Disabilities’.

Date and Time: 6 October 2025, 13:00–16:30
Venue: Kawaruba Studio, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, 1-1-4 Haneda Airport, Ota-ku, Tokyo

The Japan Research Institute, Limited is undertaking the ‘Orange Innovation Project’, developed in collaboration with individuals living with dementia, as part of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s Healthcare Industry Infrastructure Advancement Promotion Project. This initiative aims to develop more user-friendly products by collaborating with individuals with dementia and disabilities during commercialisation, and many companies have already joined the initiative

In Japan, PLAYWORKS introduced the tactile guidance tape for the visually impaired, “Coco Tape”, developed in collaboration with visually impaired individuals. When installed along the route to the toilet in an office where visually impaired staff work, it enabled them to reach the facilities without needing to use a white cane.

From Canada, initiatives at the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation, established by Baycrest (which operates hospitals, senior care facilities, and research institutes in Toronto), were introduced. Regarding dementia, the awareness tool “Defy Dementia” was presented. This tool uses multiple media, such as podcasts, to communicate that dementia can be prevented.

From Denmark, Public Intelligence presented on the potential of Living Labs. Originating in the Nordic region, Living Labs are initiatives that address social challenges and create new value within the living environments of those directly affected. Denmark hosts such a facility, Living Lab Vesthimmerlands.

At the dementia group home where the reporter covering this article works, residents have also used robots as part of the Care Robot Research Project at the Dementia Disease Medical Center. This too may have been a form of “co-creation.”

At the event’s conclusion, Kawasaki Heavy Industries introduced their care robot, “Friends”. Pictured is Director Hara operating “Friends”.

As a new initiative this time, we provided audio interpretation via Zoom. Although it was the first time and there were some minor issues, questions flew back and forth in both Japanese and English.

We look forward to seeing what products will emerge from the Orange Innovation Project in the future.