From IT Sales to Home Healthcare: An Inspiring Journey in Ishigaki Island

Interview with Yukio Shitara at Nijiiro Nursing Station

Ishigaki Island, located approximately 2,000 km southwest of Tokyo, is home to around 50,000 residents and one of Japan's largest coral reefs. Here, Yukio Shitara operates the "Nijiiro Home Nursing Station," along with various ventures including group homes and restaurants. In an exclusive interview, we explored his journey from an IT sales professional in Tokyo to an entrepreneur in healthcare on this picturesque island.

Defying Challenges in Home Nursing on an Isolated Island

Shitara's transition from the bustling city of Tokyo to the relatively underserved Ishigaki Island came with challenges. Even here, the medical resources are limited, and small neighboring islands often lack any medical facilities. Driven by a deep belief in providing care to those in need, Shitara utilizes planes and ferries to reach patients, ensuring that no one is left without support.

With the launch of the electronic medical record system "iBow" from eWell, Shitara has been able to significantly enhance the quality and efficiency of home healthcare services. eWell, headquartered in Osaka, focuses on digital transformation (DX) to support home healthcare and has published a video of Shitara's experiences leveraging iBow.

The Birth of a Home Healthcare Business

Despite his previous IT background, Shitara initially struggled to identify a viable business opportunity after moving to Ishigaki. It was a chance encounter with the field of disability welfare that led him to explore this industry, inspired by his own childhood experiences with peers who had disabilities. With his family's encouragement, he bravely stepped into the world of welfare, eventually establishing "Nijiiro Home Nursing Station." Starting with a positive financial outcome in the first month, he has maintained steady growth in the business over the past three years.

Shitara emphasizes the severe shortage of resources even on Ishigaki Island, let alone surrounding smaller islands where home nursing services are nonexistent. His philosophy is straightforward: those capable of providing care should undertake the responsibility.

At "Nijiiro," he fosters a system of care that extends services to neighboring islands. From flying to Yonaguni Island to taking ferries to Taketomi Town, they are committed to delivering care across waters.

An IT Perspective on Nursing Efficiency

Armed with his IT background, Shitara was particularly selective when it came to choosing an electronic medical record (EMR) system prior to launching his business. He prioritized user interface (UI) and ease of use, ensuring that nurses could seamlessly input records amidst their busy schedules. During commutes or while transitioning between patient visits, the ability to easily record data on a tablet became a cornerstone of their productivity.

Shitara notes, "If a nurse can handle even one additional patient due to efficiency, the costs of the system dissipate in significance. Choosing a system that integrates naturally promotes better patient care and stabilizes management productivity." He believes in automating record-keeping and administrative tasks to maximize the time nurses spend engaging with patients, which he considers crucial for a home nursing station.

The passion Shitara has in supporting the community and his team is palpable. His story and contributions can be seen in the shared video detailing his journey.