The use of television for purposes other than broadcasting, such as checking on the well-being of seniors living alone, is increasing in Japan.
A consortium of TV Asahi Corp., Hitachi Ltd. and other entities, including the government-backed Urban Renaissance Agency, is undertaking an experiment in Yokodai Kita Danchi, a residential complex in Isogo Ward in Yokohama, that makes use of TVs and the Internet to surveil residents' television viewing habits.
The experiment involves a computer system that monitors where in the complex people tune into TV Asahi programs and when. If residents do not watch any programs over a certain period of time, telephone calls are made to check on their well-being. If the calls are not answered, the neighborhood community association is notified and visits can be made to the home to confirm whether anything is amiss.