The Future of Healthcare: Integrating Smart Homes with Home Health Services

In a recent announcement, Link Japan and M3 Corporation have made a significant move towards transforming healthcare delivery in Japan. On July 31, 2025, the two companies will integrate home healthcare and Personal Health Record (PHR) services through the smart home app, HomeLink. This collaboration aims to provide a comprehensive medical experience, allowing individuals to manage consultations, medication, and health monitoring seamlessly in their daily lives.

Addressing the Needs of a Changing Society

Japan is facing a dual challenge of an aging population and the uneven distribution of healthcare professionals across regions. As a result, there is an increasing demand for high-quality, at-home healthcare that doesn’t require individuals to visit medical facilities. At the same time, advancements in IoT technology have made smart homes a promising gateway to monitor health and ensure safety in living environments.

This partnership seeks to address pressing societal concerns by combining the capabilities of the HomeLink app—designed for smart home management—with M3’s extensive network of medical professionals and electronic medical record systems. By building a next-generation smart care framework, they aspire to innovate home healthcare in Japan.

New Service Experiences Through Collaboration

1. Seamless Home Medical Care

The integration of HomeLink and M3 introduces a new level of convenience for home medical care. Previously, the app allowed users to schedule and facilitate online consultations, including payment processes. With this partnership, users can now access a range of specialties, including internal medicine and pediatrics, directly from their homes. Users can simply select their symptoms on the app and connect with healthcare providers nationwide, potentially receiving care from a physician in Tokyo while residing in Fukuoka.

This feature is expected to particularly benefit groups who face difficulties traveling, such as the elderly, families with young children, or remote workers. The concept of “your home becoming a clinic” signifies a revolutionary shift in healthcare access, aiming to reduce disparities in medical services.

2. Unified Management of PHR Data for Enhanced Healthcare

Another cornerstone of this initiative is the development of a PHR infrastructure within the HomeLink app. Users will be able to manage their personal health data effectively, including:

- Past and current medication records (including medication names and dosage periods).
- Vital sign data collected from IoT devices and wearables, such as weight, heart rate, sleep patterns, and respiratory functions.

This information can be automatically shared with healthcare providers during consultations, enabling customized diagnosis and treatment based on individual lifestyles and health conditions. As PHR accumulates over time, the app will facilitate a shift from traditional patient interviews to diagnostics informed by ongoing health data.

3. Online Prescription Guidance and Delivery

Link Japan has already partnered with Medivary, a next-gen pharmacy service provider. Through HomeLink, users can receive online medication guidance from pharmacists and directly request delivery of prescribed medications, eliminating the need for trips to the pharmacy.

This initiative is expected to significantly enhance daily life for:

- Elderly or chronically ill patients who struggle with mobility.
- Families juggling childcare and elder care responsibilities.
- Busy professionals or those living in remote areas.

By improving medication adherence and ensuring a safe and efficient medication management system, this collaboration marks a meaningful step forward in healthcare delivery.

4. Future Prospects: Utilizing PHR and IoT Data for Preventative Health

Looking ahead, Link Japan and M3 plan to leverage PHR and IoT-sensing data to implement AI-driven risk analysis and early detection of health issues. Potential use cases may include:

- Early identification of worsening health through changes in heart rate or respiratory patterns.
- Warning signs of mental health issues based on sudden declines in sleep scores.
- Monitoring activity levels and cognitive function through variations in daily movement patterns.
- Rapid detection of deteriorating health based on changes in bathroom usage frequency.

This proactive approach represents a paradigm shift from a reactive model of healthcare—where illness is treated post-diagnosis—to a preventative strategy that empowers individuals, families, and healthcare providers to take timely action, thereby efficiently utilizing medical resources and extending health spans.

About the HomeLink App

HomeLink is an innovative smart home application that allows intuitive management and operation of devices throughout your home. It integrates products from various manufacturers, addressing the significant challenge of fragmented smart home ecosystems that often frustrate users.

With features like automatic adjustments to lighting and temperature based on user preferences, HomeLink transforms daily living into a connected experience that’s accessible for everyone, from the elderly to children.

Company Overview

Link Japan

- Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo
- Business: Development and provision of smart home devices and IoT platforms
- CEO: Shinichi Kawase
- Link Japan Website

M3 Corporation