About one-fourth of Japan’s total population of 127 million is constituted of people aged 65 and above. Given the trend of low birth rates as well as significant lack of immigrants, the proportion of the elderly is expected to grow by about 40% in the next few decades. Marketers have been trying to gain maximum mileage from these demographics by creating products that serve the needs of this market.
Apple, IBM and Japan Post have come together to provide the senior citizens of the country with tablets that will facilitate them in remembering when to take their medicines and will also recommend them community support services in their locality.
The specifically tailored iPads will be synced with services already provided by Japan Post such as the monthly services by the name “Watch Over” which are available at $1000 yen (i.e. US $8). Watch Over's services include routine visits by specially appointed Postal personnel so as to check up on elderly customers and then report their well-being back to their respective relatives.
These iPads, with IBM developed apps and analytics will serve the purpose of connecting the elderly with health care and community services, as well as with their families. These services will improve the quality of life for the millions of senior citizens in Japan.
The tripartite investment towards this cause includes an initial pilot campaign before the actual launch. Initially, Japan Post, Apple and IBM will be providing 1000 senior citizens with free iPads for 6 months, starting from October, 2015. If the idea takes off then by 2020 Apple aims to increase the reach of their distribution to 5 million senior citizens.
Statements made by the spokespersons of the named companies left a question mark as to whether, at a later stage, the iPads will be provided free of charge or not. Ideally, the Japanese government would do well to bear a significant portion of the costs so as senior citizens can avail these support services at subsidized rates.
Apple, IBM and Japan Post have come together to provide the senior citizens of the country with tablets that will facilitate them in remembering when to take their medicines and will also recommend them community support services in their locality.
The specifically tailored iPads will be synced with services already provided by Japan Post such as the monthly services by the name “Watch Over” which are available at $1000 yen (i.e. US $8). Watch Over's services include routine visits by specially appointed Postal personnel so as to check up on elderly customers and then report their well-being back to their respective relatives.
These iPads, with IBM developed apps and analytics will serve the purpose of connecting the elderly with health care and community services, as well as with their families. These services will improve the quality of life for the millions of senior citizens in Japan.
The tripartite investment towards this cause includes an initial pilot campaign before the actual launch. Initially, Japan Post, Apple and IBM will be providing 1000 senior citizens with free iPads for 6 months, starting from October, 2015. If the idea takes off then by 2020 Apple aims to increase the reach of their distribution to 5 million senior citizens.
Statements made by the spokespersons of the named companies left a question mark as to whether, at a later stage, the iPads will be provided free of charge or not. Ideally, the Japanese government would do well to bear a significant portion of the costs so as senior citizens can avail these support services at subsidized rates.