The Blueprints for a Vibrant Community

When was the last time you really communicated to someone outside your family or circle of friends?

Do you ever feel lonely, even surrounded by crowds of people?

Real world face to face interaction is becoming increasingly rare.

But even simple ideas can give rise to a web of new connections among residents.

This shopping center in Amagasaki, Hyogo prefecture has been in operation for more than 60 years.

Inside, a small restaurant.

Fukuda Shoko keeps her customers happy.

Her influence is changing the community.

Here's your brazed pork rice.

Thank you.

Before they leave, these satisfied customers pause... to check their blood pressure.

How do I use this?

Don't worry.
I'll show you how to do it.

Fukuda is a licensed nurse.

From her restaurant, she looks out for the health of people visiting the shopping center.

Uh oh, it's a little high.

It must be last night's drinking.
This is not good.

Alcohol dehydrates you.

She told me to be sure to drink water.

You didn't drink much water yesterday?

No, I didn't.

And it showed up right away,
in the numbers.

− It's a good thing I guess.
− You're right.

Fukuda created this blood pressure stamp card to encourage good health habits.

Customers fill the card with stamps and enjoy a discount on their next meal.

I don't really give people guidance.

I get people to tell me
about their lifestyle in detail.

It helps them notice things
they can use to help themselves.

Aren't you busy today?

Activities like Fukuda's reflect an emerging trend in Japan of so-called community nurses.

Instead of caring for patients in clinics and hospitals, community nurses go where the people are.

They interact and stay alert for warning signs of developing illnesses.

Fukuda gets out and talks to people.

There's always an opportunity to strike up conversations.

How's your husband?

All he does is sleep!

Take care.

Shopkeepers may always be ready with a smile and a warm welcome, but Fukuda became aware of a common concern.

They're busy running a business.

Some of them have never
had a checkup.

But it takes time to
elicit that kind of information.

I need to develop rapport with them.

Fukuda encourages other shopkeepers to heighten health awareness, expanding the ring of community.

She sees people close up,
and they can get advice that fits them.

That must be very reassuring.

One woman's loss of a loved one was the spark for the community nurse crusade.

Yata Akiko launched Japan's community nurse movement in 2008.

My father died of pancreatic cancer
around his 55th birthday.

It had spread throughout his body.

He died soon after.
I saw the whole thing.

I wish someone had noticed.
Someone who could've given us advice.

Before it was too late.
Then we might've been able to help him.

From a local fish shop, Yata started working to spot health problems in the community before they became serious.

Her efforts drew attention from people all over Japan who wanted to follow her example.

This inspired Yata to launch a training program.

Community nurses reach out to people in many ways.

Where there are no shopping areas, they provide mobile sales services.

Local governments have also started hiring community nurses.

In villages with elderly populations, they can visit local recreational facilities to get a sense of residents' health.

I don't get many chances
to interact with young people like this.

I really enjoy it.

A person may interact with others,
but that doesn't mean they're fine.

The community nurse's special role
is to engage with residents...

and encourage everyone to help
promote the health of the community.

Now we'll journey to an aging community, where a popular spot has newly opened.

In fact, this is a nursing care facility with a unique approach.

The town of Aikawa, Kanagawa prefecture has 40,000 residents.

In the 60s, it was the site of a major industrial park.

The population surged, and Aikawa became one of Japan's "new towns."

Today, it's a shadow of its former self.

But in March 2022, a nursing facility with a contemporary design opened its doors.

But this isn't your typical nursing home.

Here you'll find attractions for children, and features designed to put a smile on the faces of people of all ages.

This shop selling old-style candies is a hit with kids.

The checkout is attended by nursing facility users.

Thank you.

That's a lot of candy.
Are you sure?

Interacting with children can have a positive effect on the mental health of seniors.

Thanks again!

The elderly can use this facility however they wish without paying costly entry fees.

Design plays an important role in creating opportunities for interaction and engagement.

In this sense, the facility is truly groundbreaking.

This fee-based laundry center serves the whole community.

Users can enjoy a pleasant cafe while they wait.

The space flows seamlessly from the candy shop into the nursing facility.

Anyone is free to visit and interact with the elderly.

The facility also serves young people with special needs.

It was conceived by Baba Takuya, a native of Aikawa.

He brought his years of experience as a welfare services provider to change the prevailing image of nursing facilities as closed spaces.

Most Japanese nursing homes
are built like hospitals.

Straight corridors, with rooms
on either side.

This building is open to the outside.

Kids can come, buy candy,
and chat with the residents.

We wanted to create opportunities
for people to come together naturally.

This croquette shop is another setting for human interaction.

The fried delicacies have become a local favorite.

People with special needs have a role to play too.

You look busy! Having fun?

The open quality of this facility is creating ties between people who might otherwise never encounter each other.

Small innovations help make the shops worker-friendly.

In the laundry services area, clothing is folded with paper guides.

Individuals with special needs may find it challenging to follow complicated verbal directions.

Thoughtful measures like this help them work with confidence.

We assess people's abilities
and get their input.

We collaborate with them
to create enjoyable work environments.

We hope this approach
is widely adopted.

The number of regular users is growing.

With all the rain,
I couldn't have done my laundry.

I love this place.

Baba's vision goes beyond seniors and those with special needs.

Aikawa has many residents with roots in other cultures.

Their number is growing steadily.

Some struggle to adapt to Japan's culture and language.

It was very hard at first.

Some of our newcomers
know nothing about Japanese culture.

To help them, educational support is offered at the facility.

47, 48, 49, 50...

Volunteers offer regular language practice that helps children keep up with their schoolwork.

Immigrant kids
struggle with the language.

Sometimes they refuse to attend school.

They need help
integrating into the community.

In Aikawa, people who might never interact are encountering each other.

Baba is convinced that settings like this can be a source of strength in any community.

I hope this place helps people become
kinder toward all members of society.

Kids get used to interacting with people
and don't realize it's a nursing home.

10 or 20 years from now, they'll say,
"Wow, was that a nursing home?"

They'll realize that some residents
were suffering from dementia.

In a way, it's a legacy
for them, from us.

The first step on the path to a better future might simply be for us to notice each other, and begin a conversation.