Shigekazu Ishihara

Hiroshima Bunka Gakuen University, Hiroshima International University

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About

Shigekazu Ishihara’s research lies at the vital intersection of gerontology, human factors, and assistive technology, with a central focus on enhancing independence and quality of life for older adults. His foundational work, “Independence of older adults in performing instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) and the relation of this performance to visual abilities” (2004, 15 citations), is a landmark study that systematically examined how declining visual function directly impacts the ability of over 2,800 community-dwelling seniors to manage essential daily tasks. This research provided critical evidence for designing age-friendly environments and interventions that preserve autonomy. More recently, Ishihara has pioneered innovative social robotics, as demonstrated in “The Talking Teddy Bear for social conversation: A pilot study” (2023, 2 citations). This pilot addresses the pressing issue of social isolation among Japan’s rapidly growing population of older adults living alone. By leveraging a familiar, non-threatening form, the Talking Teddy Bear encourages verbal interaction, aiming to stave off cognitive decline by stimulating speech production and swallowing muscles. Ishihara’s work uniquely bridges rigorous empirical investigation with creative, human-centered design, making significant contributions to both the science of aging and the practical development of technologies that foster connection and independence in later life.