DWIH-Tokyo Symposium: “Innovations for an Aging Society”

The symposium opened with remarks from Prof. Dr. Joybrato Mukherjee, President of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and Rector of the University of Cologne, who reflected on how an aging society not only brings challenges but also provides opportunities to rethink how we want to shape our lives. Prof. Kohei Itoh, President of Keio University, emphasized the importance of collaboration and strong networks in fostering innovative research on one of the most pressing issues of our time. The Director of the Long-Term Care Insurance Planning Division in the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Hideaki Nishizawa, showcased the policy challenges Japan faces due to demographic change and how to manage the need for care by adopting a tailored approach in each region at a different pace. Further welcoming remarks were delivered by Prof. Tomohiro Morio, the Executive Vice President of the Institute of Science Tokyo, and Prof. Akira Uedono of the Institute of Pure and Applied Science and the Director of Overseas Offices in Europe of the University of Tsukuba.

Thematic Panel: “Policy Perspectives on Health Innovations for Aging Societies”

In the thematic panel session, chaired by Axel Karpenstein (Director of DAAD Tokyo), Prof. Fumihiko Ishikawa from the Institute of Science Tokyo, presented the Visionary Initiative: Science for Health, Science for the Future, which seeks to combat and prevent diseases, especially those affecting older adults struggling to live independently. Prof. Klaus Lieb from the Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research introduced the Leibniz Research Alliance “Resilient Ageing” (LRA-RA), an interdisciplinary network within the Leibniz Association dedicated to uncovering how biological, psychological, and social factors contribute to healthy and resilient aging. Further remarks were made by Prof. Tomoo Matsuda, the research director at Mitsubishi Research Institute, who presented the concept of a platinum society in which the elderly are viewed as an asset and can still contribute to society. Hideaki Nishizawa and Prof. Dr. Joachim Thiery, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Kiel University and the Scientific Board of the University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKHS), contributed their insights to the discussion as well.

Parallel Panel Discussions

After lunch, three parallel panel discussions offered deeper insights into aging from biomedical, behavioral, and public health perspectives, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly aging society. In Panel A: Biomedical Innovations for Healthy Aging, chaired by Prof. Hadi Al-Hasani of the German Diabetes Center (DDZ), speakers discussed the molecular, genetic, and cellular mechanisms underlying healthy longevity and how biological insights can be translated into practical medical innovations. Panel B: Behavioral and Social Dimensions of Aging, chaired by Prof. Klaus Lieb, examined how habits, relationships, and supportive communities foster resilience and well-being in later life, emphasizing the role of psychological, social, and environmental factors in healthy aging. Finally, Panel C: Public Health and Prevention Strategies, chaired by Prof. M. Christina Polidori, member of the PI Cluster of Excellence CECAD of the University of Cologne, addressed how health systems, preventive medicine, and community initiatives can enhance well-being and reduce disease burden, aiming to build sustainable, inclusive health systems that support longer, healthier lives across generations.

Networking & Poster Session

The poster session provided institutions and start-ups with the opportunity to showcase their cutting-edge research and practical approaches to addressing the challenges of aging societies in an interactive format, offering participants the chance to exchange ideas, explore diverse perspectives, and identify potential collaboration partners. The presenters shared their findings on modern diseases associated with aging, as well as innovations designed to support the daily lives of older adults, such as autonomous driving technologies and in-home care monitoring systems. They also addressed the broader social challenges of an aging society, presenting research on topics such as economic dependency ratios and the promotion of active physical participation through robotics.

Wrap-Up Session: Reflections & Outlook

Chaired by Dr. Ewa Adamkiewicz (Leibniz Association) and Sabine Schenk (Chair of the advisory board of DWIH Tokyo; Heidelberg University Office, Kyoto (HUOK)), the final session reflected on the day’s discussions, including insights from the parallel sessions provided by Prof. Christina Polidori, Prof. Hadi Al-Hasani, and Prof. Cornelia Wrzus, Professor for Psychological Aging Research at Heidelberg University. Looking ahead to future collaboration, panelists explored two guiding questions: “By 2030, what should we have accomplished together?” and “What final reflections and calls to action can advance further collaboration?” Prof. Dr. Yasumichi Arai, Director of the Centre for Supercentenarian Medical Research at Keio University, expanded on these topics with his presentation, Longevity Science for a Circular Society, and redefined aging as a social resource. Prof. Dr. Nobuhiro Hayashi, Vice President for International Strategy and Engagement at the Institute of Science Tokyo, introduced the Visionary Initiatives, an institute-wide program for collective intelligence to create a better future. Dr. Markus Heckel, Head of Programs at DWIH Tokyo and the main coordinator of the event, delivered the closing remarks, emphasizing the importance of fostering future collaborations between Germany and Japan.

Author: Luise Weirauch (Intern, DWIH Tokyo)