business
What Texas can learn from Japanese cities that give technology to its senior citizens
By Texas Tribune, By Terri Langford, Interview Translations By Mizuki Nakamura at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· June 26, 2026
· 15 min read
This story is part of a reporting fellowship sponsored by the Association of Health Care Journalists and supported by The Commonwealth Fund.TOKYO — In Shibuya, home to one of Tokyo’s busiest train stations and shopping destinations, seniors can choose a monitoring service and the city will instal...
Key takeaway Finding sustainable, low-cost ways to care for the elderly population is a problem Texas is all too familiar with and Japan, home to the world’s largest over-65 population at 36 million, is beating Texas in solving.
Why this matters in The Piney Point
In Piney Point Village , where residents value their independence, Texas can learn from Japan's approach to using technology to support senior citizens. By providing monitoring services and devices like Hello Light, MaBeee, and Bocco, Japan is enabling elderly individuals to stay in their homes longer, reducing the need for expensive nursing home care. This approach could be particularly beneficial in Harris County, where the aging population is growing rapidly. Local governments and businesses in the Houston area could explore similar initiatives, investing in technology that allows family members to remotely monitor and care for their elderly loved ones. By doing so, they can help keep older residents healthier and safer in their own homes, aligning with Texas' goal of supporting aging populations in a cost-effective and sustainable way. This could also alleviate some of the pressure on local healthcare systems and workforce, which are often strained by the demands of caring for a growing older population.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Piney Point surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 15 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? This story is part of a reporting fellowship sponsored by the Association of Health Care Journalists and supported by The Commonwealth Fund.TOKYO — In Shibuya, home to one of Tokyo’s busiest train stations and shopping destinations, seniors can choose a monitoring service and the city will instal...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Piney Point readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Texas Tribune, By Terri Langford, Interview Translations By Mizuki Nakamura at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Piney Point selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The Piney Point, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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