#Japan #digital health #Community Health #Okayama #Okayama University

Okayama University at the Digital Rural Health Forum

On January 23, 2026, Okayama University, under the leadership of President Yasukatsu Nasu, participated in the Digital Rural Health Forum hosted by the Cabinet Office. The event, titled "Connecting to the Future: The Cutting Edge of Locality and Digital in Kibi Central," featured presentations from Nasu and Jun Sakurai, Deputy Director of Okayama University Hospital, as well as Kohei Ueda, Assistant Professor at the university’s School of Medicine.

This forum is part of a national strategy, designating areas such as Kibi Central Town in Okayama, Kaga City in Ishikawa, and Chino City in Nagano as "Digital Rural Health Special Zones". These regions are leveraging digital technologies to improve healthcare and quality of life for residents, evolving into model areas for health promotion throughout the country.

With over 380 participants attending both onsite and online, the forum encouraged discussions and the sharing of advanced cases from local governments and businesses, aiming to explore the possibilities and future of community health initiatives.

President Nasu and Vice Director Sakurai hold key roles as chief architects and associate architects for Kibi Central Town, respectively. They participated in a panel discussion alongside architects from Kaga City and Chino City, discussing solutions to local health and medical challenges based on their regional efforts, outcomes, and future visions from a community perspective.

Assistant Professor Ueda delivered a presentation titled "Emergency Medical Care in Kibi Central: Current Situation and Future Perspectives". He highlighted the challenges faced during emergency transport in Kibi Central Town, where hospitals currently cannot accommodate ambulances. Ueda outlined innovative solutions, such as support measures for paramedics and the transmission of ultrasound images from within ambulances as part of regulatory reforms.

The forum also featured exhibits from various businesses and organizations related to the Digital Rural Health Special Zone. Students and faculty from the Okayama University School of Medicine presented a poster on the promotion of the Kibi app, a regional health initiative targeted at community engagement and care.

Programs initiated under the Digital Rural Health Special Zone are synergistically enhanced through a broader initiative known as J-PEAKS, focused on strengthening distinctive research universities in local communities. Okayama University is committed to pushing forward this vision of community-centric health solutions, aspiring to innovate within regional healthcare and contribute to sustainable societal transformation.

The university's initiatives underline a strong belief in co-creating future scenarios that benefit both local and global communities, reflecting their mission as a research university dedicated to societal change and health innovation.

Opportunities for Support

As Okayama University continues to forge ahead with its vision, they seek partnerships and collaborations aimed at fostering further innovations in healthcare within the community context. The forum served as a launchpad for future endeavors focused on enhancing health systems and responses through technology and community input.

This collective approach positions Okayama University at the forefront of educational and technological advancements aimed at improving health and wellbeing in Japan, demonstrating dedication to health innovation and sustainable development within rural settings.

Stay tuned for more advances from Okayama University as they continue to drive forward the regional health agenda and nurture community health initiatives powered by the latest digital technologies.