From Innovation to Scale: HAPI Study Tour Highlights Japan’s Healthy Ageing Solutions for Asia

Tokyo & Hiroshima, 9-13 March 2026: ERIA, in collaboration with the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE), organised the Healthy Ageing Prize for Asian Innovation (HAPI) Study Tour for the winners of the 4th HAPI. Held 1 year after the awards were conferred, the study tour brought together leading innovators from across Asia for a week of peer learning, exchange, and collaboration in Tokyo and Hiroshima.

The programme aimed to deepen participants' understanding of Japan's approaches to ageing, strengthen networks amongst awardees, and explore practical pathways for scaling up healthy ageing innovations across the region.

The study tour began with a 2-day visit to Osaki Shimojima, a small island in Hiroshima Prefecture, hosted by Nurse & Craft, the 4th HAPI Grand Prize winner. Participants were introduced to community-based and intergenerational initiatives supporting older persons in rural and remote areas. The visit highlighted the use of digital technologies and telehealth solutions to improve access to healthcare services and enable in-place monitoring, particularly in areas facing shortages of medical professionals. It also demonstrated how digital tools are integrated with local community networks to support continuous care while promoting independence and dignity.

Beyond digital health, the programme underscored the importance of community building and rural revitalisation as key pillars of healthy ageing. Awardees joined a community lunch with older residents and student volunteers, fostering intergenerational exchange, and participated in citrus harvesting activities, gaining first-hand insights into how social engagement and a strong sense of place contribute to active ageing.

The study tour also included high-level courtesy visits and institutional exchanges. In Kure City, participants met with the Mayor to learn about local support systems for older persons. A visit to Hiroshima University provided insights into tele-nursing initiatives, international co-operation efforts, and support programmes implemented abroad, alongside discussions with international students on cross-cultural perspectives on ageing and care.

In Tokyo, awardees engaged with policymakers and private sector leaders, including a Member of the House of Representatives and Professor Keizo Takemi, former Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare. They also met with corporate executives and the Chief Executive Officer of the Global Coalition on Ageing to exchange views on policy innovation and the role of the private sector in advancing the silver economy.

Throughout the tour, participants explored opportunities for collaboration and the potential to expand their initiatives across borders by leveraging the expertise and networks of fellow HAPI winners. These exchanges highlighted the value of the HAPI platform in fostering regional co-operation and amplifying locally driven innovation.

The programme concluded with a hybrid webinar titled'From the Frontlines of an Ageing Asia: Insights from the Winners of the 4th Healthy Ageing Prize for Asian Innovation.'Opening remarks were delivered by Dr Yasuyuki Mitsuhashi, Senior Policy Fellow on Healthcare at ERIA. In a panel discussion moderated by Dr Liem Nguyen, Programme Manager on Social Welfare at ERIA, the awardees shared reflections from the study tour and discussed how their initiatives address key challenges such as disaster resilience, intergenerational connection, lifelong learning, and healthcare access in rural areas.

The webinar also introduced the fifth round of HAPI, which is currently open for applications.

Through the study tour and webinar, ERIA and JCIE reaffirmed their commitment to advancing innovative, scalable, and inclusive solutions to support Asia's rapidly ageing populations.

Apply for the 5th HAPI: https://ahwin.org/award/ (Deadline: 15 May 2026)

Watch the webinar video: