Exploring Japanese Care Solutions Through Proof of Concept in Denmark
In a significant step forward for international collaboration in elder care technology, Will Group, a Tokyo-based company, conducted a proof of concept (PoC) in Denmark’s Vesthimmerland Living Lab from January to March 2026. This initiative aimed to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of three Japanese caregiving solutions, with around fifty participants from diverse backgrounds, including municipal employees, physiotherapists, nurses, caregiving staff, IT and security specialists, residents, and social welfare students.
The participative nature of this PoC was integral to its success. It fostered a comprehensive understanding of the solutions by involving both professionals and end-users. The goal was to gather multi-faceted feedback through four simulation sessions incorporating direct observations, interviews, and workshops, all designed to replicate real-life caregiving scenarios.
1. Inclusive Participation: The approach was notably inclusive, engaging both professional caregivers, like physiotherapists and nurses, and the citizens who would be the end-users of these solutions. Their insights were invaluable in assessing the practicality and acceptance of each product.
2. Real-life Environment: By testing the solutions in an actual living environment, the participants were able to evaluate how the products might perform under typical operational conditions.
3. Comprehensive Evaluation: Each solution’s effectiveness was not just measured by its technical abilities but also evaluated on hygiene, safety, cost, and implementation criteria, providing a holistic view.
The PoC yielded several positive outcomes, reflecting promising prospects:
However, the findings also highlighted areas for improvement, such as cleanliness maintenance, safety validation under specific conditions (like wet environments), and reliability during sensor integration to avoid false detections. Additionally, durability and operational aspects, including cost-effectiveness and reusability, remain crucial for broader adoption.
Critical insights emerged about the factors influencing the acceptance of these solutions. It became clear that functionality alone isn't enough; operational feasibility, environmental compatibility, and psychological acceptance are pivotal in deciding whether these solutions are adopted widely.
The results of the PoC were shared at the Global Care Vision Committee forum of the Kitakyushu Super Smart Care Consortium. This consortium, established in June 2025, includes over fifty organizations and is aimed at synergizing efforts between academia and industry to innovate care solutions. The substantial interest in participating in future PoCs from various companies indicates a growing enthusiasm for Japanese caregiving solutions abroad.
The project is seen as a significant milestone for Will Group, laying the groundwork for subsequent phases of proof of concept testing. Plans for approaching the second and third rounds of testing are already in the pipeline, with visions to transition towards implementing these solutions in local Danish facilities and potentially expanding across other Nordic countries and the EU.
Through facilitating such collaborative opportunities, Will Group aims to amplify the international standing of Japanese caregiving technology while simultaneously fostering sustainable growth in both domestic and international markets.
Established in 2006, Will Group is dedicated to transforming individuals and organizations positively, emphasizing the importance of providing a variety of human resources services across multiple sectors, including healthcare, sales, and construction. These efforts strive to enhance work and life styles for all stakeholders involved.
Company Name: Will Group Inc.
Headquarters: Nakano-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Founded: April 2006
President: Yuichi Sumi
Capital: 2.2 billion yen (as of March 2025)
Number of Employees: 7,949 (Consolidated for fiscal 2025)
Website: Will Group
The participative nature of this PoC was integral to its success. It fostered a comprehensive understanding of the solutions by involving both professionals and end-users. The goal was to gather multi-faceted feedback through four simulation sessions incorporating direct observations, interviews, and workshops, all designed to replicate real-life caregiving scenarios.
Key Highlights of the PoC
1. Inclusive Participation: The approach was notably inclusive, engaging both professional caregivers, like physiotherapists and nurses, and the citizens who would be the end-users of these solutions. Their insights were invaluable in assessing the practicality and acceptance of each product.
2. Real-life Environment: By testing the solutions in an actual living environment, the participants were able to evaluate how the products might perform under typical operational conditions.
3. Comprehensive Evaluation: Each solution’s effectiveness was not just measured by its technical abilities but also evaluated on hygiene, safety, cost, and implementation criteria, providing a holistic view.
Findings and Implications
The PoC yielded several positive outcomes, reflecting promising prospects:
- - Many participants noted a potential for reduced fall risks and improved safety with the Japanese caregiving solutions.
- - Products showing high acceptability among citizens indicated lower barriers to implementation.
- - Feedback from onsite staff suggested confidence in the practicality of the solutions.
However, the findings also highlighted areas for improvement, such as cleanliness maintenance, safety validation under specific conditions (like wet environments), and reliability during sensor integration to avoid false detections. Additionally, durability and operational aspects, including cost-effectiveness and reusability, remain crucial for broader adoption.
Critical insights emerged about the factors influencing the acceptance of these solutions. It became clear that functionality alone isn't enough; operational feasibility, environmental compatibility, and psychological acceptance are pivotal in deciding whether these solutions are adopted widely.
Community Engagement and Future Plans
The results of the PoC were shared at the Global Care Vision Committee forum of the Kitakyushu Super Smart Care Consortium. This consortium, established in June 2025, includes over fifty organizations and is aimed at synergizing efforts between academia and industry to innovate care solutions. The substantial interest in participating in future PoCs from various companies indicates a growing enthusiasm for Japanese caregiving solutions abroad.
The project is seen as a significant milestone for Will Group, laying the groundwork for subsequent phases of proof of concept testing. Plans for approaching the second and third rounds of testing are already in the pipeline, with visions to transition towards implementing these solutions in local Danish facilities and potentially expanding across other Nordic countries and the EU.
Through facilitating such collaborative opportunities, Will Group aims to amplify the international standing of Japanese caregiving technology while simultaneously fostering sustainable growth in both domestic and international markets.
About Will Group
Established in 2006, Will Group is dedicated to transforming individuals and organizations positively, emphasizing the importance of providing a variety of human resources services across multiple sectors, including healthcare, sales, and construction. These efforts strive to enhance work and life styles for all stakeholders involved.
Company Name: Will Group Inc.
Headquarters: Nakano-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Founded: April 2006
President: Yuichi Sumi
Capital: 2.2 billion yen (as of March 2025)
Number of Employees: 7,949 (Consolidated for fiscal 2025)
Website: Will Group
Topics Consumer Products & Retail）
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