“Ready, steady, go!” And the players are off, their eyes focused, concentration intense, hands steady and movements swift as they battle for victory. The atmosphere is electric, as the crowd cheers on the competitors.
Not your traditional sporting event
This is no ordinary gathering or traditional sporting event, however. It’s the annual National Health and Welfare Festival for the Elderly in Japan, where video games are included as a sporting category for the first time. The players themselves also might surprise you. They’re older than typical competitors — in fact, much older. And at this festival, which started in 1988, these athletes are showing the world the power of healthy gameplay for all, even those in their sunset years.
Mizuno san is the secretary general of NPO Saitama Citizen’s Network, a community organization that focuses on promoting citizen engagement and community development through activities and events in Saitama. His journey into the world of video gaming for the elderly began 13 years ago when he suffered a stroke that left his left side paralyzed.
Finding comfort and purpose in games
During his long and at times difficult rehabilitation, he found solace and entertainment in video games, which would ultimately change his life. Recognizing the potential of games to enhance the lives of seniors, Mizuno has since dedicated himself to spreading this message across Japan from his home base in Saitama Prefecture, just north of the country’s capital, Tokyo.
“There are games like golf and softball, but you need a large space for activities like that. That already costs a lot of money and there’s a limited number of people who can play. But with video games, you only need a monitor. You can go into a wider world through the screen and make friends,” said Mizuno.
“Playing video games transcends age, gender, region, country, or language. What’s most important is that it’s fun, and you can spread joy to people around you.”
Navigating an aging world
Japan’s elderly population, those age 65 and older, is estimated at 36 million, or 29 percent of the total population. By 2070, this figure is projected to rise to 38 percent, more than a third of all citizens. As Japan’s population of senior citizens grows, so does the number of people living alone, with 26 percent of men and 29 percent of women projected to live alone by 2050.
This is a worldwide phenomenon. According to the World Health Organization, the proportion of the world’s population age 60 and over will nearly double between 2015 and 2050. In addition to associated health conditions, issues of loneliness and weakening social and family bonds are major concerns. Having supportive physical and social environments can ensure that the oldest members of society live healthier lives for longer. That’s where games come in.
Keeping seniors sharp
More than just a way to pass the time, games bring joy and connection, providing a mental workout and gentle physical challenge to help older people stay active and sharp. In Japan and beyond, more and more later-life adults are discovering the benefits of video games, which foster social interaction, cognitive stimulation, and physical well-being.
Tetsuya Ohgami is a professor at Chiba Institute of Science, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Studying the cognitive decline in people with dementia for years, he finds gameplay is helpful for older people, especially those in the early stage of dementia, mild cognitive impairment (MCI). During gameplay, cognitive functions such as planning, attention, spatial awareness, and memory are naturally stimulated, said Ohgami. “These abilities are honed and reinforced as players strategize their next move and stay focused to avoid mistakes.”
Ohgami said even people in their 90s are playing video games on the Saitama City team. “Cognitive assessments revealed that some of these players, despite their advanced age, performed at a level comparable to individuals in their 70s,” he said. Ohgami agreed that engaging in games with others helps combat feelings of isolation.
Collaborating with community groups and beyond
In addition to the competition, Tencent partnered with NPO Saitama Citizen’s Network to create other opportunities for seniors to come together, play, and learn through games. The result: a space where visitors could feel comfortable picking up a controller for the very first time.
During the National Health and Welfare Festival event, participants were also able to try out a research-backed cognitive fitness trainer. The computer program allowed players to assess themselves across five areas — memory, attention, planning, orientation, and spatial awareness, offering them actual data on the positive impact of video games. “This is an example of how collaborating not only with private companies but also with civil society and academia can maximize the positive effects of gaming,” said Ohgami.
Through the power of play, we’re seeing that joy, purpose, and connection are possible in every phase of life. And we’re always looking at ways to strengthen intergenerational bonds.
Read more about how we are working to create an inclusive and dignified world for senior citizens:
