Society < Improving Health >
The DAIICHIKOSHO Group is working to create safe and comfortable environments where anybody can enjoy karaoke as an accessible leisure activity. The Group is also actively tackling social issues through karaoke and music.
■Promoting health through karaoke
Supporting healthy lifestyles for the elderly
As Japan’s population declines and its society ages, extending healthy life expectancy and reducing workloads in nursing care settings are major issues that need to be addressed in order to optimize social security spending.
To prepare for Japan’s rapidly aging society, we developed and started promoting the DK ELDER SYSTEM in 2001 with the aim of using our core karaoke business to support the health of Japan’s elderly. The DK ELDER SYSTEM uses our DAM online karaoke machines to provide functional training programs and preventive nursing care. Based on the concept of musical, physical and visual stimulation, the system includes a wide range of songs and musical content that allow nursing care staff to develop enjoyable recreational and functional fitness sessions that participants are likely to continue, while also reducing the workload of facility staff. For public facilities, the system can be used to create preventative care classes that help revitalize local communities and prevent seniors from becoming frail.
As of March 31, 2024, approximately 27,000 private nursing homes, local public welfare facilities, facilities for the disabled, preschools, kindergartens, and a growing range of other facilities have introduced the system, with more facilities expected to follow suit.
Our aim is to use the DK ELDER SYSTEM to help solve some of the issues faced by Japan’s rapidly aging society today.
< Initiatives in the elder business >
Providing outsourced preventive nursing care services
The DAIICHIKOSHO Group provides fun and sustainable health and fitness programs for the elderly through its DK ELDER SYSTEM on an outsourced basis to a large number of local governments.
Preventive nursing care session, Nakano Ward, Tokyo
Izumisano Genki Class, Izumisano City, Osaka
| University / company name | Research period | Research content |
|---|---|---|
| Tohoku Fukushi University | September 1, 2010 – March 31, 2011 | Study into the impact of karaoke systems on health, preventive nursing care and community building |
| June 2014 – March 2015 | Study into the functional efficacy of music + fitness programs using the DK ELDER SYSTEM | |
| Tsurumi University | December 2011 – April 2012 | Study into the functional efficacy of singing using the DK ELDER SYSTEM ■International journal of BioPsychoSocial Medicine |
| Kobe University | March 2014 – March 2015 | Study into the creation of local communities for the elderly using the DK ELDER SYSTEM |
| Tsukui Corporation | September 2016 – March 2017 | Research related to preventing a decline in cognitive capability and alleviating the symptoms of BPSD |
| September 2017 – March 2018 | Research related to preventing a decline in cognitive capability and alleviating the symptoms of BPSD (Phase 2) |
□Participation in government projects
(1) Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry: Project to create industries that extend healthy life expectancy
＜FY2015 Healthy Lifespan Extension Industry Creation Promotion Project＞
| Local governments | Details |
|---|---|
| Fukushima City, Fukushima | FY2015: Project to detect early symptoms of diabetes and dementia and prevent symptom progression |
＜FY2016 Healthy Lifespan Extension Industry Creation Promotion Project＞
| Local governments | Details |
|---|---|
| Kobe City, Hyogo | FY2016: Trial project to build an autonomous, comprehensive local care system through new industry creation |
| Sendai City, Miyagi | FY2016: Health initiatives and job placement matching to create societies with opportunities for the elderly during their whole lifetimes |
| Wako City, Saitama | FY2016: Active lifestyle project for Wako citizens |
(2) Ministry of Education: Super Professional High Schools
| Local governments | Details |
|---|---|
| Osaka City, Osaka | FY2015: Fostering professionals who can create new value to address the challenges of Japan’s super-aging society |
(3) Japan Sports Agency
< FY2021 Sport in Life Promotion Project >
| Local governments | Details |
|---|---|
| Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture | Field trial to resolve issues preventing participation in sports Project to create new sporting environments for seniors using digital content |
| Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture | |
| Seto City, Aichi Prefecture | |
| Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture |
| Local governments | Details |
|---|---|
| Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture | Project to boost participation in sports across target groups Building inclusive communities through sports x SDGs |
| Rifu, Miyagi Prefecture |
＜FY2022 Sport in Life Promotion Project＞
| Local governments | Details |
|---|---|
| Gamagori City, Aichi Prefecture | Integrating sports into daily life through exchange and communication between the generations! Bringing communities together to get healthier! "Dance de exercise" project that senior citizens and young people can enjoy taking part in together |
(4) Fukuoka Health Lab
< FY2018 Fukuoka Health Lab Test Project >
| Local governments | Details |
|---|---|
| Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture | Health and vitality class using karaoke equipment |
(5) Osaka Prefecture
< FY2022 Osaka Smart Senior Life Project >
| Local governments | Details |
|---|---|
| Sakai City, Sayama City, Izumikawa Nagano City |
Music health classes utilizing the DK ELDER SYSTEM |
□Participation in the Japan Music Health Association
DAIICHIKOSHO was a key driver in the establishment of the Japan Music Health Association in July 2014. The association was set up to harness the power of singing and music to extend healthy life expectancy, a major issue facing Japan. As the founding company of the association, DAIICHIKOSHO has been involved in various projects since it was established.
Study into the effectiveness of karaoke in stress relief
DAIICHIKOSHO and NTT Communications Corporation conducted a joint study into the effectiveness of karaoke in reducing stress as part of stress management strategies to support company health management. The study was conducted between January 15 and February 28, 2018 and involved 121 employees of NTT Communications. Each employee was required to take part in karaoke at least once each week and sing for one hour or longer each time. Stress levels were monitored to detect any changes.
The study showed that negative feelings declined and positive feelings increased after karaoke sessions, leading to an improvement in stress levels that also increased motivation on a daily basis. Based on the results of the study, we plan to develop karaoke programs for corporate clients to help them maintain the mental and physical wellbeing of their employees.
