#Japan #elderly care #Kitakyushu #DoctorMate #KSCC

DoctorMate Joins the Kitakyushu Super Smart Care Consortium

DoctorMate Inc., based in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, has announced its participation in the Kitakyushu Super Smart Care Consortium (KSCC), which officially commenced activities on July 25, 2025. This strategic collaboration aims to address urgent social issues in the elderly care industry, such as workforce shortages and increasing social security costs, through the collective efforts of industry, government, and academia.

Background and Objectives of Participation

Japan is facing a super-aged society, marked by critical challenges symbolized by the "2025 Problem" and "2040 Problem," primarily characterized by severe shortages in caregiver personnel and heightened operational burdens. According to estimates by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, there could be a shortfall of up to 570,000 caregivers by the year 2040—an immediate societal concern. Additionally, nearly half of caregiving staff report dissatisfaction with their jobs, citing issues like personnel shortages and low wage levels as significant hurdles.

Against this backdrop, DoctorMate operates with the vision of creating a sustainable caregiving system. Through services such as online medical consultations, night-time call handling, and medical education programs like "DM-study," the company has been making strides in solving these pressing challenges. Currently, over 1,300 facilities across more than 40 prefectures in Japan have adopted DoctorMate's solutions, accumulating over 110,000 successful medical consultations.

The KSCC represents a groundbreaking initiative that transcends industry boundaries, seeking to foster value creation in the sustainable caregiving sector. DoctorMate's prior projects in Kitakyushu have been recognized as exemplary cases of public-private collaboration by the Cabinet Office.

Through its participation in the KSCC, DoctorMate intends to leverage its accumulated expertise in the medical and caregiving fields and to further enhance digital solutions. This will significantly contribute to advancing digital transformation (DX) in caregiving practices within Kitakyushu, improving productivity, and securing caregiver retention. The overarching goal is to alleviate the burdens on caregiving staff and promote a more accommodating work environment, accelerating the realization of a sustainable 'future care' model throughout the community.

Insights from DoctorMate’s Leadership

During the consortium's establishment press conference, the organization's foundational purpose and future activities were outlined. Kenji Nakajima, who has led the collaborative project with Kitakyushu, represented DoctorMate at the inaugural general assembly where he addressed participating businesses and members.

Naoki Aoyagi, the representative director and physician at DoctorMate, expressed his enthusiasm about the consortium's inauguration. He emphasized the urgent challenges facing the Japanese caregiving industry, including workforce shortages and increasing burdens on staff. Since its inception, DoctorMate has adhered to its mission of creating a sustainable caregiving framework through digital solutions, including online medical consultations and night-time call handling.

This participation signifies a vital opportunity for DoctorMate to deploy its expertise and technology in partnership with the community of Kitakyushu, collectively addressing these societal challenges. As the consortium strives to achieve the vision of 'future caregiving,' DoctorMate commits to making significant contributions.

Future Prospects of DoctorMate

As DoctorMate collaborates with Kitakyushu on validation projects, the company aims to ensure the safety and security of residents in care facilities while tackling multifaceted challenges such as reducing night-time workloads for caregivers and lowering turnover rates. In addition to participating in the consortium, DoctorMate is developing its proprietary on-call service system, enhancing the operational efficiency of nurses and facilitating the delivery of high-quality medical services.

Looking ahead, DoctorMate will continue to concentrate on enhancing its services and products that address the medical challenges of caregiving facilities, steadfastly pursuing its mission to ensure that 'every life progresses positively.'

About DoctorMate Inc.

Company Overview

• - Company Name: DoctorMate Inc.
• - Representative: Naoki Aoyagi
• - Capital: 900 million yen
• - Headquarters: 9th Floor, Higashi Nihonbashi Rotary Building, 3-7-19 Higashi Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
• - Official Website: doctormate.co.jp

DoctorMate has been implemented in over 1,300 caregiving facilities across more than 40 prefectures in Japan. In December 2022, the company launched a medical education service for caregivers called "DM-study," with plans to introduce online psychiatric consultations for dementia care and dermatological telemedicine by August 2024.

Awards & Recognition:

• - Selected as an excellent case in the Cabinet Office's