Japan regional initiatives promote smartphone literacy and digital health

Various regional initiatives in Japan are focusing on improving smartphone literacy and digital accessibility for local residents.

JA Bank's Chuo Branch recently hosted a smartphone workshop for members, featuring instructors from SoftBank Corp. The session, themed ‘Smartphone for Health Management,’ focused on frailty prevention. Participants utilized mobile devices to explore health management tools, such as the ‘HELPO’ healthcare app and frailty risk checks, while also receiving guidance on using the JA Bank app.

In Ikeda Town, Fukui Prefecture, the local government is providing free smartphone consultation services through its ‘Smartphone Yorozu Consultation Office.’ The program offers assistance with device operation, search techniques, and local app usage. Additionally, the town provides purchase support for residents through its ‘Smartphone for Everyone’ project.