Well Aging Economic Forum
Ministrial award
Well-being & Age-tech Award
Introduction of Award‑Winning Companies:
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award / Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award,
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award / Minister for Digital Award
Awarded the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award by Minister Akazawa
Dfree, winner of the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award, appeared on a TV show hosted by Kuranosuke Sasaki *Photo courtesy of MBS TV
Awarded the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award by Minister Norikazu Suzuki
Minister Suzuki presented the Minister of MAFF Award to Kirin Holdings. Photo: Yomiuri Shimbun
Message from Jessica Smith, Executive Director, XPRIZE Healthspan (USA)
Aiming to solve the world-wide problem of super-aging, the SDGs and the second edition of the United Nations SDGs starting in 2020: Decade of Healthy Aging 2021-2030: utilization of science, technology and innovation that contributes to the decade of healthy aging, inclusiveness, We will introduce the efforts selected by experts in intellectual property and technology from the viewpoint of evaluation of integration, originality, innovation, development, and storytelling.
2025/12/16@Toranomon-hills 2024/12/17@Iino conference hall 2023/12/5@Iino conference hall 2022/11/27@Hibiya Midtown BASE-Q 2021/11/7@ Toranomon-hills
Supported by: Cabinet Office Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Fishers Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Financial Seivice Agency Digital Agency
赤澤亮生 大臣と大臣賞・優秀賞受賞者
Ryosei Akazawa, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
Message from Jessica Smith, Executive Director, XPRIZE Healthspan (USA)
Taro Kono, Minister of Digital
Yasutoshi Nishimura, Minister of METI
Shinpei Kato, CEO, Teir 4, prized Minister Award of METI by Yumi Sato, Organizer of Well-being & Age-tech Award
Masaaki Taira, Minister of Digital
Shinji Inoue, Minister of Cabinet Office
Junichi Kanda, Vice Minister of FSA
AgeTech for Healthspan and Healthy Longevity is shaping the future.
Japan is advancing the future of society through innovations that merge cutting‑edge science with traditional craftsmanship: the world’s first tooth‑regeneration injection, senolytic vaccines that eliminate aging cells, neurotechnology that restores movement to paralyzed fingers, and Nishijin‑ori–derived high‑performance fabrics now procured by the U.S. Department of Defense.
These breakthroughs in Japanese AgeTech and longevity research are expanding and supporting human capabilities — and collectively updating the future of society.
Ministrial award winners 2025
Kazunari Sugimitsu
Prof. Kanazawa Institute of Technology
Shintaro Sengoku
Prof. Tokyo Institute of science
Seiko Shirasaka
Professor of Keio University, Founder of Synspective
Akihiko Soyama
Executive Director, Link-J
Yumi Sato
Chair person/ Founder, Well Aging Economic Forum, Policy Analyst/ Public Affairs strategist
Akihiko Kaneko
Senior Director, IA Partners
Ministrial award winners 2025
Well-being & Age-tech 2025 Award
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award
Healthcare / CareTech
Dfree
The World First! A wearable device that predicts the need to use the restroom to reduce accidents during toileting care. Using ultrasound and AI, it alerts users when they need to go, helping to preserve the dignity of people of all ages and genders.
Photo: Courtesy of MBS Broadcasting
Well-being & Age-tech 2025 Award
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award
Food Tech
Kirin-Holdings
The world first low-sodium tableware. It uses a weak electrical current to enhance saltiness and umami, preserving flavor even with reduced salt. The number of female users struggling with water retention is on the rise!
Photo：Yomiuri News Paper
Well-being & Age-tech 2025 Award
Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award
Biotechnology
Juntendo University / Senotyx Inc.
The world first! Research on a vaccine to remove senescent cells by Professor Toru Minamino of Juntendo University. The vaccine uses the immune system to remove senescent cells and slow the progression of age-related diseases.
Well-being & Age-tech 2025 Award
Excellence Award
Local Government with SIB
Toyota City
The “Always Full of Energy!” Project
SIBs Promote Preventive Care and Well-being Among Residents. Karaoke Found to Be Key to Disease Prevention and Sustaining Community Ties. Expansion to Other Areas Is Encouraged
Well-being & Age-tech 2025 Award
Excellence Award
Biotechnology
Taz
Independently developed technology to regulate aging cells using food ingredients. Implementing “well-aging through diet”—a non-pharmaceutical approach with no side effects.
Well-being & Age-tech 2025 Award
Excellence Award
Biotechnology
iHeart Japan
Regenerative medicine from Kyoto University! Independently developed a treatment for heart failure using iPS cell-derived cardiomyocytes. Plans are in place to expand this approach to treat the entire body in the future.
From the University of Tokyo! Using proprietary technology, the company has developed the world’s first food product that utilizes parsley-derived exosomes for anti-aging care. *After distributing samples at the event, the company was flooded with inquiries.
*Selected as one of the Top 10 startups by XPRIZE (U.S.)
Well-being & Age-tech 2025 Award
Excellence Award
Biotechnology
Relixa
Developed a method to measure biological age, introducing a new metric to the health data industry. By converting complex health information into the intuitive concept of “age,” they have created a market that encourages behavioral change.
An on-demand shuttle service that uses AI to optimize airport transfers and local transportation. By efficiently matching multiple passengers, it reduces travel costs and travel time. The service aims to solve local transportation challenges and create a society where everyone can get around easily.
Well-being & Age-tech 2025 Award
Excellence Award
Health-care/ Big-deta
Hirosaki University
Iwaki Heaith promotion Project
Based on 20 years of accumulated health big data, we are creating a model to scientifically enhance physical, mental, and social well-being. We are optimizing healthy life expectancy and healthcare.
An AI-powered “Smart End-of-Life Planner” that digitizes cumbersome inheritance procedures—good news for inheritance issues, which affect one in two households in Tokyo and one in three nationwide
Ministrial award winners 2024
Well-being & Age-tech 2024 Award
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award
MedTech/RehabTech
LIFESCAPS
A rehabilitation device developed at Keio University: a medical‑grade Brain–Machine Interface (BMI) worn on the head like a cap. It captures brainwaves and enables people with paralysis to move their fingers. With continued use, patients gradually regain voluntary movement.
Photo：テレビ東京ワールドビジネスサテライトより
Well-being & Age-tech 2024 Award
Excellent Award
Robotic surgical system
Medicaroid
hinotori, Japan’s first homegrown surgical‑assist robot, achieves finer, more delicate control and greater economic efficiency than the da Vinci platform. Leveraging surgical data and AI, it is pioneering a new era of proactive, data‑driven medicine and is currently scaling its international deployment,
Well-being & Age-tech 2025 Award
Excellent Award
Vision Biotech
Tsubota Labo
A breakthrough pair of therapeutic glasses that promote health just by being worn, powered by violet‑light technology. It marks the world’s first discovery and medical application of violet light’s biological mechanisms. The technology is now being adapted for integration into PCs and other digital devices.
Well-being & Age-tech 2024 Award
Honorable Mention
Neurotechnology
VIE
A neurotechnology‑powered service that recommends karaoke songs scientifically shown to activate the brain. It turns cognitive training into an enjoyable, music‑driven experience, validated through real‑world trials with partners including Shidax.
Well-being & Age-tech 2024 Award
Honorable Mention
FIn-tech
KAERU
Safe and secure! It’s exactly what you’ve been waiting for! A cashless service that lets you enjoy your daily shopping even if you have dementia—no need to worry about calculating change.
Well-being & Age-tech 2024 Award
審査員特別賞
地方創生部門
株式会社 TERA Tech
Japan’s first temple DX initiative! Developed “Tera Techo,” a directory featuring temples across Japan regardless of denomination. We’re working to bridge the digital divide among temples and build a network of temples as a cultural asset.
Ministrial award winners 2023-2021
Well-being & Age-tech 2023 Award
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award
Autonomous driving / Maas
Tier Vl
From Nagoya University! We have developed the world’s first autonomous driving technology platform. While establishing systems to share and provide the latest global technologies, we are collaborating with local governments and companies struggling with driver shortages. Currently a unicorn company
Well-being & Age-tech 2024 Award
Minister of Digital Award
Health-tech
SUSMED
A treatment app designed to improve sleep disorders. By using blockchain technology to record clinical trial data, the app aims to reduce medication use and promote sustainable healthcare. As of 2026, the company is collaborating with Shionogi & Co., Ltd. to pursue coverage under health insurance.
Well-being & Age-tech 2025 Award
Excellent Award
Health-tech/ Material
Mitsufuji
From Kyoto! We have developed “hamon,” a wearable fabric that utilizes Nishijin-ori and silver thread to achieve highly accurate heart rate monitoring. This innovation also contributes to the preservation of local traditional weaving crafts. The fabric is even used in U.S. military tents. Recently, it has been applied to femtech as well. We are currently expanding globally and developing it as a globally recognized intellectual
Well-being & Age-tech 2023 Award
Excellent Award
Health-tech
Genics
Born from Waseda University’s graduate program: a breakthrough device that completes tooth‑brushing simply by biting down. This world‑first full‑arch electric toothbrush was developed in Japan and, following its award recognition, has advanced through clinical validation with Showa University School of Dentistry and is now expanding globally. Research is also underway to adapt the technology for children and even animals.
Well-being & Age-tech 2023 Award
Excellent Award
Bio-tech
My piece
Future-oriented service enabling individuals to create and store iPS cells derived from their own cells to prepare for potential future illnesses or injuries. Following award recognition, collaborations with companies such as KOSÉ Cosmetics have been realized. In 2026, administration to cancer patients
Well-being & Age-tech 2023 Award
Excellent Award
Insure-tech
Yamori
Japan’s first insurance service combined with a high-performance monitoring sensor that requires no Wi-Fi, addressing the growing social issues of solitary deaths and the difficulty elderly people face in renting homes. Only 4% of real estate agents rent properties to elderly tenants, leading to a sharp increase in elderly people waiting for rental housing. As of 2026, the service also engages in the revitalization of affordable housing.
Well-being & Age-tech 2023 Award
Excellent Award
Health-tech
NTT Docomo
An AI technology that automatically estimates and alerts users to their frailty risk based on smartphone walking data — including step count, walking speed, and gait stability. Users simply walk with their smartphone; no special devices are required. By analyzing gait characteristics, the AI detects early signs of muscle weakness and declining balance, enabling early identification and preventive nudges.
Well-being & Age-tech 2022 Award
Digital Minister Award
Health-tech
OUI
Born at Keio University, this technology aims to reduce global blindness by 50%. A compact medical camera that attaches to any smartphone enables eye examinations anywhere — from developing countries to remote islands — and allows online diagnosis. As of 2026, it has been tested and deployed in more than 90 countries worldwide.
Well-being & Age-tech 2025 Award
Digital Minister Award
Bio-tech
Metagen
Scientifically analyzing the gut environment (gut microbiome) to visualize individual health status and disease risk. By integrating digital technologies, AI, and advanced gut microbiome analytics, we collaborate with companies, municipalities, and medical institutions to support personalized health solutions across multiple domains, including preventive healthcare, corporate health management, and food innovation.
Well-being & Age-tech 2024 Award
Excellent Award
Care-tech
Wellumo
An AI‑powered care support platform that assists caregiving staff in decision‑making, documentation, and care‑plan creation. A “Care OS” that simultaneously enhances the quality and efficiency of daily care. By connecting community‑based integrated care through data, it provides the foundation for delivering the right care to the right person at the right time.
Well-being & Age-tech 2025 Award
Excellent Award
Health-tech
KUBOTA Holdings
A next‑generation eyewear device that projects myopic‑defocus images using AR technology and aims to slow the progression of myopia with just 1–2 hours of daily use. Developed by ophthalmologist and researcher Dr. Ryo Kubota, this innovative myopia‑care device is currently being co‑developed with
Well-being & Age-tech 2024 Award
Excellent Award
Biotech
Tregem-bio-pharma
A world‑first innovation from Kyoto University: an injectable drug that enables the regeneration of human teeth. The initiative envisions a future where tooth loss is no longer something to fear. Its research and development efforts—highly regarded for their strong potential to enhance well‑being—have earned significant recognition.
Well-being & Age-tech 2025 Award
Excellent Award
Housing
Magic Sields
A world‑first safety flooring technology, Koroyawa, which softens instantly upon impact to protect against fall injuries. Deployment is accelerating in nursing care facilities and senior housing communities in Japan and internationally.
Well-being & Age-tech 2021 Award
優秀賞
ヘルスケア・健康経営 部門
株式会社 オカムラ
片足でも小回り可能。身体の動きに寄り添う柔軟な背構造と快適な座り心地を備える。妊婦、シニア、障害があっても長時間のデスクワークを支え、シンプルで軽やかなデザインがオフィスにも在宅環境にもフィットする
About Age-tech
AgeTech is technology and innovation that enhances social inclusion and individual wellbeing in a super-aged society. It is made up of seniors as well as intergenerational people and communities. The awards will be selected and presented by committee members who are familiar with global AgeTech trends, intellectual property, policy and social innovation.
AgeTech is not only about technologies related to care for the elderly: it is also about the SDGs second edition action areas: age-friendly environments (mobility, mobility, housing, living environments, home care, travel, fintech, insurtech social & communication, looking after the elderly), integrated Care, Long Term Care (preventive healthcare, independence support, carer support, physical and mental health maintenance, end-of-life related services to extend healthy lifespan such as medical care, nursing care, nutrition, food, exercise, rehabilitation, etc.), etc., and is composed of multiple domains, not only by seniors but also by their families and other intergenerational people and communities. It refers to technologies and innovations that enhance lifelong independence and social inclusion. An environment that is friendly to the elderly is also friendly to children and pregnant women, and is a necessary technology in Japan, where the birthrate is the lowest in the world and the population is ageing.
Age-tech is defined differently in different countries, and age-tech is considered to be technology, research and services that are appropriate to the current situation in each country.
Japan Age Tech Market Map
Age Tech Market Map
© 2021 by Well Aging Economic Forum
UK Age Tech Market Map
Target of Age Tech examination
SDGs 2nd edition'The Decade of Healthy Ageing 2021 stipulated by the United Nations by using Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) to solve social issues such as increasing inclusiveness and wellbeing in a sustainable super-aging society. -Targets excellent domestic efforts (various efforts including research and development, product / service planning, business plans, information dissemination, etc.) aiming to achieve 2030'. For STI, there are no requirements such as field, application, novelty, technical level, etc. It targets initiatives that can be widely deployed both domestically and internationally.
Agetech is a field made up of people of all ages and communities, not to mention seniors.
Agetech is an age-friendly environment (movement, mobility, housing, living environment, home care, travel, fintech, insurtech social & communication, watching), integrated care, long-term care (medical care, long-term care, nutrition / nutrition / Preventive healthcare that extends healthy life such as food and exercise, independence support, carer support, mental and physical health maintenance, end-of-life related services), etc. It is composed of multiple domains, not only seniors but also people beyond generations such as their families It is a field that is made up of local communities. It also refers to technologies and innovations that enhance human independence and social inclusion throughout life. Agetech has different definitions depending on the country, and research and services according to the current situation of each country are regarded as Agetech, and this award refers to the Agetech industry in the United Kingdom. ..
Agetech 2023 Judging Committee
(Titles omitted)
・Kazunari Sugimitsu, Kanazawa Institute of Technology Graduate School Professor Jikei University Specially Appointed Professor
・Shintaro Sengoku, Tokyo Institute of Technology Professor
・Seiko Shirasaka, Keio University Professor
・IA Partners (former DBJ Capital) Akihiko Kaneko
・Patent Office Judge Ippei Ota
・Yumi Sato, Representative Director, Well Aging Economic Forum
Agetech 2023 Judging Committee
(Titles omitted)
・Kazunari Sugimitsu, Kanazawa Institute of Technology Graduate School Professor Jikei University Specially Appointed Professor
・Shintaro Sengoku, Tokyo Institute of Technology Professor
・Seiko Shirasaka, Keio University Professor
・IA Partners (former DBJ Capital) Akihiko Kaneko
・Patent Office Judge Ippei Ota
・Yumi Sato, Representative Director, Well Aging Economic Forum
Age Tech 2021 Judging Committee
(honorific title omitted)
・ The University of Tokyo Vice President / Professor Toshiya Watanabe
・ Professor, Graduate School of the University of Tokyo Keisuke Goda, Part-time Professor, UCLA
・ Kanazawa Institute of Technology Graduate School Professor Kazunari Sugimitsu
・ Professor Shintaro Sengoku, Tokyo Institute of Technology (preliminary examination only)
・ Nobuki Ando, President of All Japan Health Insurance Association
・ Takafumi Yamamoto, President and CEO of TLO, University of Tokyo
・ Japan Intellectual Property Standards Office Hiroto Nakagami
・ Yuka Shimada, Director of Unilever Holdings ( )
・ Well Aging Economic Forum Representative Director Yumi Sato
Agetech 2022 Judging Committee
(Titles omitted)
・Kanazawa Institute of Technology Graduate School Professor Jikei University Specially Appointed Professor Kazunari Sugimitsu
・Tokyo Institute of Technology Professor Shintaro Sengoku
・Nobuki Ando, Chairman of the All Japan Health Insurance Association
・IA Partners (former DBJ Capital) Akihiko Kaneko
・2025 International Exposition Association
・Patent Office Judge Ippei Ota
・Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National CorporationHiroyuki Kondo
・Japan Intellectual Property Standards Office Yuto Nakagami
・ Former Unilever Director Yuka Shimada
・Yumi Sato, Representative Director, Well Aging Economic Forum