Neighborhood Association in Nishi Ward, Niigata City
[Issues]
・Isolation due to an aging population
・Shortage of board members
・Leaving the neighborhood bulletin board at the front door = no one home = risk of burglary
・Assessing damage and contacting evacuation centers during disasters
・Neighborhood disputes
[Tools Used]
・Yui Net
・Monitoring light bulb (receives notifications via Yui Net)
| Location | Neighborhood Association in Nishi Ward, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture |
|---|---|
| Size of the client organization | Approximately 620 households |
Solution
Preventing Isolation and Providing Support for the Elderly
Digital platforms make it easier for older adults to access a wide range of information. Furthermore, by integrating with IoT devices such as monitoring light bulbs, automatic notifications can be sent to relevant parties when abnormalities are detected, enabling prompt in-person assistance. This helps prevent social isolation among older adults and supports their peace of mind.
Reducing the Burden on Board Members and Strengthening Collaboration
Digitizing tasks such as distributing materials, conducting surveys, and tabulating votes on resolutions can significantly reduce the administrative burden on board members. Furthermore, by providing a bulletin board feature for board members, horizontal collaboration becomes smoother, leading to more active information sharing and exchange of opinions. This feature is already being used frequently, contributing to smoother communication among board members.
Strengthening Security Measures
By eliminating the "out of the house" signal that used to be created by leaving traditional notice boards at the front door, the introduction of electronic notice boards helps improve security. This reduces the risk of burglaries and helps protect residents' safety.
Rapid Information Sharing and Response During Disasters
In the event of a disaster, this system enables the real-time sharing of critical information, such as confirming people’s safety, identifying those in need of assistance, sharing photos of damage, and verifying evacuation sites. In particular, the provision of detailed information tailored to local conditions—such as snow removal updates during the winter—significantly contributes to ensuring residents’ safety and supporting their daily lives.
Smooth Resolution of Neighborhood Disputes
A feature that allows residents to send concerns regarding neighborhood disputes to designated representatives—such as block leaders or association presidents—without being seen by other residents creates an environment where residents can seek advice with peace of mind. This leads to the early resolution of disputes and helps maintain good relations within the community.
Follow-up
Even after implementation, we continue to support community-based utilization by creating customized programs tailored to the needs of each neighborhood association and developing dedicated manuals that align with their specific operational practices. Additionally, we actively respond to requests to serve as smartphone instructors at local community centers and other venues, providing ongoing support to bridge the digital divide by directly addressing residents’ specific questions.