Kazuharu Fukui

Scientist, Student

I am in Keio University Faculty of Pharmacy. In October 2013 I released an app called “Okusuri-no-jikan – Time to take medicine”. In an app competition for original apps called “Appli Koshien 2013”, this “Okusuri-no-jikan” app won the third prize among over 500 entries from all across the country. It has also been featured in NHK and Japan TV.

What if a community to support elderly people can get involved in the network?    What’s more, what if this app is incorporated into a part of community service?  If this should happens, every elderly person will find some sort of connection with his/her community, and then I believe this can help elderly people living alone feel more secured. 

1. "Intention will gain value only after it is put into action". Through developing an app I learned many technical things about programing. But what I really learned is more than that. That is: Intention will gain value only after it is put into action. As a middle-school student, I gradually got to know what is right and what is wrong. But the problems that exist in the world are too much for me to solve them all. What I shared with you is not so grave. It’s not that I took up developing an app with an aim to help make the world a better place. And unfortunately not every one that needs this app has an access to it. Yet, I took the first step from common nearby things that can be found at home or at school, and that has helped me realize the importance of putting myself in someone’s shoes. Instead of giving it up as it is too complicated or too challenging, I will strive to find a way so that I can make that happen. Although I got an opportunity to speak in front of you, I am not sure whether I can make it or not. However, once I realized what I was really involved can result in receiving “Thank you” from someone, I am thrilled to think about what kind of app I can develop next. Through the process of making this app, I made a lot of friends and got to know people that I get inspired. Those people have been helping me keep motivated and encouraging me to move forward. I am so pleased that developing one app has made me feel like this. I am still 15 years old. No need to hurry. I’ll take one step at a time and keep moving forward to be able to give something back to a community. ----------------------------------------- 2. I released an app called “Okusuri-no-jikan – Time to take medicine”. There might be something that I can do, and I looked around myself to find something I can do to make a difference. Meanwhile, I happened to see a TV program about the real challenge of lonely death of Japanese elderly. I, who had been always feeling close to my grandfather with heart disorder as well as my very old great-grandmother, came up with an idea. Even if elderly people live by themselves, as long as they are connected with someone in some way, it might be possible, if not completely prevent them from dying alone, to help find them in a desperate situation early enough. What can be done, without causing much trouble for them, to check whether they are safe or not? While I was mulling over that, I noticed one thing that almost all the elderly people are associated with. That was medication. What if every time elderly people take medicine, that information is transmitted to someone? Taking medicine means being safe. Whenever they take medicine, a text message will be sent out automatically. Finally, In October 2013 I released an app called “Okusuri-no-jikan – Time to take medicine”.

application, health, pharmacy

I talked about myself at TEDxKeio in 2013. ->(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTK64HQSn7o) I participated at TEDxYouth@Tokyo as a volunteer in 2015. I hosted TEDxKeioHighSchool twice in 2016 and was the youngest TEDx organizer in Japan ever. ->(https://www.keio.ac.jp/en/keio-times/features/2016/5/) ->(http://www.hs.keio.ac.jp/Seitokai/tedxkeiohighschool/) ->(http://www.hs.keio.ac.jp/Seitokai/tedx/Prism/)

Swimming, Photography, MMORPGs