While print media is still popular among seniors, more and more seniors are using the internet, smartphones, and social media to stay connected and informed.
Qualitative research methods such as ethnography, in-depth interviews and focus groups are well suited to elicit unexpected insights into a culture other than one’s own.
We often hear Japan described as a ‘traditional’ society. That description certainly conjures up images of geisha walking down the streets and other well-worn tropes. That isn’t what you see in Japan (well, most of the time, anyway).
Industrial designers and tech creators have come a long, long way in terms of incorporating usability into products and environments. Early Unix systems famously had no “save” feature, for instance, and incalculable hours of work were lost.
Developing tech-enabled products and services that assist us as we age is a relatively new frontier. However, the vision of a world where people in advanced years can meaningfully participate in society and overcome the physical and cognitive challenges of age is slowly but steadily becoming a reality.
Over the past 10 to 15 years, Japanese marketers have wholeheartedly embraced the symbology of sustainability. Notions of ‘green’ and ‘eco’ and ‘human’ have proliferated in aesthetic terms.
For many, one of the toughest challenges in developing one’s values set is navigating through extremes. There is a temptation to assume simplistic (or unbalanced) worldviews that provide a sense of security.
Every country has them, and Japan is no different. I’m talking about “the fearful fringe.” These are the people who fundamentally lack trust in their security, either personally or for the country at large.