Powering Evidence-Led Innovation in Aging

Join a free global community contributing expert insight, professional perspective, and domain knowledge to help understand what may hold relevance for Japan’s aging society.

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About Our Professional Group

The Living Best Professional Group is the free, open-participation layer of our non-profit work. Members contribute expert interpretation, domain knowledge, and contextual insight to strengthen the evidence we generate through our research and MPI evaluation activities.

Together with our User Group of older adults, carers, and families across Japan, the Professional Group plays a central role in Living Best’s multi-stakeholder evidence ecosystem.

Participants include professionals from corporations, healthcare and care delivery, academia and research, government and policy, investment and venture creation, global AgeTech and longevity ecosystems.

What unites them is a shared interest in understanding what works, why, and for whom in aging and longevity.

Participation is free, individual, and open to anyone aligned with our mission.

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Why Join the Professional Group?

  • Contribute lived experience, professional insight, or domain expertise
  • Participate in selected research activities, expert discussions, and community input sessions
  • Inform MPI evaluations through structured interpretation and thematic review
  • Receive neutral, interpreted insights and research summaries
  • Attend public briefings, thematic discussions, and community events
  • Stay informed on global trends in aging, longevity, and innovation

What People Are Saying About Our Events

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91%

Rated the entire experience
Excellent or very Good

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86%

Are extremely likely or very likely
To attend similar events in the future

Event Highlights – Heads, Hands &
Hearts for AgeTech

26 October 2022

Meet Our Community Leaders

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Dominic Carter
Co-Founder

As founder and CEO of The Carter Group, with over three decades in consumer insights and strategy, Dominic brings unparalleled market understanding to Living Best. His vision of transforming aging challenges into opportunities drives our mission to develop impactful, user-centered solutions that enhance quality of life for older adults.

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Yasuko Akutsu
Chairman

Yasuko brings extensive experience in aging, healthcare design, and human-centred innovation. As CEO of MT Healthcare Design Institute and Associate Professor at Chiba University Hospital, she leads research and education focused on improving care experiences for older adults. Her long-standing involvement in global AgeTech networks, including her work as Aging2.0 Tokyo Ambassador, reflects her commitment to advancing evidence-informed solutions that support aging societies in Japan and internationally.

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Debbie Howard
Co-Founder

Debbie’s 35+ years of experience in Japan and personal caregiving journey fuel her dedication to AgeTech innovation. Chairman of The Carter Group, her expertise in cross-cultural business strategies and deep connections globally are invaluable in tracking global AgeTech trends and synthesizing insights relevant to Japan.

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Adam Claydon-Platt
Executive Director

Adam’s two decades of entrepreneurial experience in Japan and belief in technology to solve global megachallenges guide Living Best’s research direction, partnerships, and multi-stakeholder collaboration.

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Asako Kurosaki
General Manager

Asako’s strategic acumen and operational expertise ensure the seamless execution of Living Best’s initiatives. Her commitment to fostering community engagement among both professionals and users is key to our human-centric approach, ensuring our solutions truly resonate with those we serve.

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Professional Group Member Profiles

The Gerontechnologist

Keren Etkin

Keren Etkin is the best-selling author of The AgeTech Revolution – a book about the intersection of technology and aging. Etkin is the founder of TheGerontechnologist. com, a media platform that covers the global agetech ecosystem and The AgeTech Academy which offers online AgeTech education for entrepreneurs and elder care professionals.
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Vitality Swiss

Kyoko Suzuki

Vitality Swiss is an innovative communication program that focuses on exploring solutions and scenarios for a vitalized future. The program is sponsored by the Embassy of Switzerland in Japan and Vitality.Swiss ambassador Maya Minder, and it aims to address common challenges that are facing our society, including climate change, ultra-ageing societies, and digital transformation.
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Evolving Homes

Carol Chiang

Evolving Homes is an Occupational therapist and Realtor owned consulting business that helps people live at home independently for as long as possible. Providing expert guidance to clients planning for their futures and decrease caregiver stress by providing the answers they need. Focused on designing spaces with hidden-in-place accessibility that looks beautiful and increases home value.
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More Member Profiles Coming Soon!

Interested in Joining?

The Professional Group is ideal for individuals seeking to contribute, learn, and stay informed about aging and longevity innovation.

For organisations requiring structured evidence, benchmarking, and access to validated innovations, explore The AgeTech Alliance.