The team from Chiang Mai Rajabhat University (CMRU) Thailand in collaboration with Digitally Inclusive Healthy Ageing Communities (DIHAC) study team visited Tokyo. On 19th March 2024, Thai delegates visited to observe Smartphone Salon in Shibuya City Refresh Hikawa, Community Center in Shibuya City, Tokyo, Japan, Higashi 1 Chome-26-23, Shibuya City Tokyo, 150-0011, on 19th March 2024.

Delegates from Thailand were President Professor Chatree Maneekosol, Vice President Associate Professor Watcharapong Wattanakul, Dr. Saiyud Moolphate, Co-PI of the DIHAC study and Head of the Department of Public Health, faculties and 20 PhD students from Chiang Mai Rajabhat University (CMRU). Ms. Yoko Maruyama, Chief Officer for Promotion of Bridging the Digital Divide for the Older Adults, Older Adults Welfare Section, Welfare Department, Shibuya City, Tokyo explained the current digital training programs for older adults in Community Center Shibuya City Tokyo.

Figure 1: Delegates from Chiang Mai Rajabhat University (CMRU) Thailand, Officers from Promotion of Bridging the Digital Divide for the Older Adults, Older Adults Welfare Section, Welfare Department, Shibuya City, Tokyo, and DIHAC investigators PI Associate Professor Myo Nyein Aung, Co-PI Dr. Yuka Koyanagi

On 20th March 2024, Juntendo University Professor Motoyuki Yuasa and Department of Global Health Research faculties and students welcomed Thai CMRU team visiting Juntendo University.  DIHAC study PI, Associate Professor Myo Nyein Aung welcomed Thai delegates and delivered two lectures at Juntendo University education building 3. The titles of the delivered lectures are: (1) Long-term care and Healthy Ageing in Japan, (2) Culturally Diverse Community Based Social Innovation (CBSI) for Healthy Aging and Digital Inclusion for Older Persons. He shared the experiences of CBSIs in Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Singapore, Mexico and India implementing healthy ageing decades. Thai delegates actively participated lectures with interactive discussions.

The group exchanged experiences of Univeral Health Coverage in Thailand and Japan. Discussion brainstormed the development of long- term care system in Thailand, reflecting the lecture. Graduate students from Thailand expressed thanks to Dr. Myo for explaining long term care system before they go ahead to observe the facilities and services and also the opportunity to learn CBSIs across many countries.

Figure 3: Juntendo University graduate students, former JICA oversea volunteers together with CMRU president, vice president and Associate Professor Myo Nyein Aung

Figure 4:  Delegates from Chiang Mai Rajabhat University Thailand, in front of Juntendo University, Tokyo Japan 20.3.2024

Furthermore, they expressed their satisfaction to learn about CBSIs, service delivery models, healthy ageing programs in many countries. The group discussed further collaboration projects to apply CBSIs for healthy ageing in Chaing Mai. On 20th March afternoon CMRU Thailand team went to Shizuoka Prefecture to observe long term care services and community-based integrated services in ageing Japan.

Department of Global Health Research and DIHAC study team acknowledged the team of Shibuya Municipality officials, graduate students and JICA oversea volunteers for these activities.