Research Project Keio 2040

KGRI Establishes the "Research Project Keio 2040"
To Disseminate a Global Standard for Sustainable Aging Societies


Japan's population of elderly persons is projected to reach around 40 million in 2040, with Japan then destined to become a super-aged society unlike any other in the world. Due to the increasing seriousness of various social challenges, such as a rapid decrease in the working population, increases in the numbers of people requiring long-term care, and in social security costs, it is predicted that Japanese society will no longer be able to sustain itself in its current configuration.

At KGRI (Keio University Global Research Institute), after careful scrutiny of this situation, we have launched the "Research Project Keio 2040" as an initiative to maintain the "Independence and Self-respect" of individuals and Japan as a whole, as well as to formulate a healthy and robust society.

"Independence and Self-respect" is the founding spirit of Keio University, and signifies the maintenance of one's personal dignity and acting on one's own judgement with the responsibility this entails in all matters. This project aims to integrate diverse research domains, such as the sciences and technology, medicine, and the humanities and social sciences, to offer solutions to this problem of national importance by means of dialogues in increasingly multilateral contexts within academia, including student bodies, as well as with industry, governments, and overseas institutions. Furthermore, it will posit ideals of a new nation and pursue true independence by having Japan lead global society.


Research Project Keio 2040 Official Sponsor

IHI Corporation

IHI Corporation

IHI Corporation

ASAHI SOFT DRINKS CO.,LTD.

KOSÉ Corporation

KOSÉ Corporation

Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.

Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.

Seiko Epson Corporation

Seiko Epson Corporation

Tokyo Electron Ltd.

Tokyo Electron Ltd.

MUFG Bank, Ltd.

MUFG Bank, Ltd.

MITSUBISHI ESTATE CO., LTD.

MITSUBISHI ESTATE CO., LTD.

MinebeaMitsumi Inc.

MinebeaMitsumi Inc.

Yakult Honsha Co.,Ltd.

Yakult Honsha Co.,Ltd.

e-solutions,inc.

e-solutions,inc.

IKEDA SCIENTIFIC Co., Ltd.

IKEDA SCIENTIFIC Co., Ltd.

Suntory Holdings Limited

Suntory Holdings Limited

SHIN NIPPON BIOMEDICAL LABORATORIES, LTD.

SHIN NIPPON BIOMEDICAL LABORATORIES, LTD.

Nagatanienholdings Co.,Ltd.

Nagatanienholdings Co.,Ltd.

NIHON DEMPA KOGYO CO., LTD.

NIHON DEMPA KOGYO CO., LTD.

Fukagawa Co.,Ltd.

Fukagawa Co.,Ltd.

As of 2022.12.22


Aims of this project

2040 image


  • Extending Healthy Life Expectancy Project
    The creation of social systems whereby each person has individual self-respect and a healthy livelihood
  • 2040 image1


  • Revolutionary & Interdisciplinary Soft Matter Integration Project (RISΣ project)
    The emergence of new technologies which make a reality of integration and harmony between humans and machines
  • 2040 image3


  • Platforms and the"2040 Problem" Project:
    The proposal of a new order which ensures the protection of self-respect for the individual and nation in the network space with its vastly expanding platforms
  • 2040 image2



What is the venue for creation of a future society?
This project aims to surmount the national crisis of a super-aging society and create a new normal, while positioning Japan as the global forerunner. In order to achieve this, systems transcending the traditional frameworks of universities as locations of cutting-edge research and scholarship will be required to both disseminate visions of the future as elucidated by researchers, as well as the mindset behind their conceptions, and to flexibly incorporate social responses into project activities. To this end, the consistent participation of a diverse range of actors across frameworks, including national borders, generations, regions, and industries, combined with advanced research bringing together know-how from the sciences, engineering, medicine, and the humanities and social sciences, will be instrumental. This project will also function as a venue for the creation of a society in which all its members are imbued with individual self-respect and live both robustly and flexibly in the face of a super-aging society.
We plan to share regular details and reports on these activities on the following website going forward.