Reporter Lee Jun-hyeok = The exchange between Bucheon City and Okayama City in Japan is expanding into the digital welfare sector, increasing the possibility of cooperation between the two cities. On the 3rd, a delegation from Okayama City, Japan, visited the Ojeong Senior Welfare Center in Bucheon to experience Bucheon City's innovative smart senior center system firsthand and expressed deep interest in digital welfare.

Smart Senior Centers, Leading the Way in Bridging the Digital Divide for the Elderly Since 2021, Bucheon City has been leading digital inclusive welfare for the elderly by introducing smart senior centers, the first of their kind nationwide. Smart senior centers are not just leisure spaces for seniors but integrated platforms that provide various welfare services such as health management, leisure activities, and digital education using information and communication technology (ICT). This year, they are expected to expand to 150 locations, contributing to improving the quality of life for the elderly and attracting national attention.

The Okayama City delegation directly participated in a laughter therapy program for seniors using a video platform at the smart senior center studio within the Ojeong Senior Welfare Center, experiencing firsthand how digital technology invigorates the lives of seniors. They also expressed admiration while directly experiencing the advanced digital welfare infrastructure, including ICT-based health management devices and various digital education contents promoted by Bucheon City. Blood pressure/blood glucose monitors, cognitive training games, and VR experience devices were helping seniors easily manage their health and have new experiences.

Heartfelt Exchange, Laying the Foundation for Future Cooperation This visit proceeded in the order of welfare center facility guidance, introduction of smart senior center operational achievements, and a Q&A session, with fervent questions from the Okayama City delegation about Bucheon City's advanced digital welfare system. In particular, seniors learning calligraphy at the welfare center presented the delegation with thoughtfully made fans, conveying a warm welcome and adding to the meaning of cultural exchange between the two cities. This fan gift was not just a souvenir but an artwork containing the talents and warm hearts of the elderly, providing great emotional impact.

Jeong Ri-na, head of Bucheon City's Senior Welfare Division, stated, "Bucheon City is promoting various welfare policies to help seniors enjoy their daily lives more conveniently and joyfully by utilizing digital technology," adding, "We hope this visit by the Okayama City delegation will widely promote Bucheon City's excellent digital welfare cases and further serve as a valuable opportunity to jointly explore ways to improve the quality of life for seniors."

Continued Exchange with Okayama City, Presenting an International Cooperation Model Bucheon City and Okayama City have been sister cities since 1986, actively exchanging in various fields such as culture, education, and sports. This visit by the Okayama City delegation to the Ojeong Senior Welfare Center served as an opportunity to expand exchanges between the two cities into the new field of digital welfare. Okayama City is one of the cities in Japan experiencing rapid aging, and Bucheon City's smart senior center system is expected to provide important implications for solving the aging problems faced by Okayama City.

Through this visit, Bucheon City's digital welfare policy received international recognition, presenting a new model for preparing for an aging society. Moving forward, Bucheon City will continue to strive to create an inclusive society where all generations can live happily together by utilizing digital technology and will lead international digital welfare innovation through close cooperation with Okayama City.

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