Japan Testing New Tech to Prevent Heatstroke among Elderly

Tokyo, Aug. 13 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s Environment Ministry has launched a demonstration experiment to help protect elderly people from heatstroke by utilizing artificial intelligence and sensors to encourage them to use air conditioners properly. The initiative aims to identify heatstroke risks proactively as extreme heat continues to claim the lives of many elderly people indoors. The demonstration test features three programs–an AI-based system that estimates core body temperatures and notifies users of the risk of heatstroke via a smartwatch, a monitoring system that notifies registered family members through an app when indoor temperatures exceed certain levels and a system that automatically activates air conditioners based on room temperatures. The test uses commercially available products developed mainly by medical device manufacturers. It began in June, covering 60 to 70 participants aged 65 and older. The trial is expected to continue for about four months, through September. If the systems prove effective, the ministry plans to provide support for their adoption in earnest beginning in fiscal 2027. The test will assess the frequency of malfunctions and errors in using air conditioners, as well as whether the technology encourages preventive action, such as turning on air conditioners or moving to cooler places. The ministry will also conduct a survey examining elderly people’s psychological resistance to new technology, as many of them are reluctant to use air conditioners. According to the ministry, elderly people accounted for about 85 pct of heatstroke fatalities in 2024, with most deaths occurring at home. Many elderly people and those with pre-existing health conditions may have a reduced ability to sense heat and thirst, while family members and caregivers may recognize warning signs too late. The ministry aims to strengthen effective heatstroke prevention efforts through new technology amid increasing numbers of elderly people living alone and worsening shortages of caregivers. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]