Katsuyama Fukushikai Launches 'Magokoro Support' in Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture on July 21 in Partnership with MIKAWAYA21

Katsuyama Fukushikai (Headquarters: Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture; President: Hirofumi Kurenai) will officially launch a non-insurance daily life support service on July 21, 2026, within Katsuyama City, utilizing the community-based support system 'Magokoro Support' operated nationwide by MIKAWAYA21 Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Arakawa Ward, Tokyo; CEO: Keiya Aoki). The service enables local residents to provide paid assistance for everyday challenges.

Reference: 'Magokoro Support Service Page' https://magocoro.me/

This initiative is a resident-participation life support service where healthy local residents act as supporters to address 'minor daily difficulties' that cannot be fully covered by the long-term care insurance system.

Prior to the official launch, explanatory meetings will be held on July 10 (Fri) and 11 (Sat), 2026, for medical and welfare professionals, local residents, and members of the press.

Background: Responding to 'Daily Challenges' Beyond Systemic Support

In areas facing aging populations and declining birthrates, minor daily tasks such as medical appointments, shopping, garbage disposal, weeding, and light bulb replacement can become significant burdens for residents trying to maintain independent living.

However, not all of these challenges qualify for long-term care insurance services. As a result, family members, neighbors, and professional care managers often end up handling these issues individually.

Katsuyama Fukushikai has long supported elderly residents through special nursing homes and home care services. This time, instead of relying solely on formal systems and professionals, the organization is launching 'Magokoro Support' as a new mechanism to sustain independent living by harnessing the power within the community.

Bringing a Nationally Proven Model to Katsuyama through Partnership with MIKAWAYA21

'Magokoro Support' is a locally embedded life support service operated nationwide by MIKAWAYA21 Co., Ltd. Local businesses such as care providers, nursing services, cable TV operators, and funeral service companies join as franchisees, creating a network that supports elderly residents across various regions.

The service has already been implemented in approximately 250 locations nationwide, successfully institutionalizing mutual support among residents in areas facing population decline and aging.

By joining MIKAWAYA21 as a franchisee, Katsuyama Fukushikai will combine its expertise in social welfare with its established networks involving local government and medical-welfare professionals, aiming to build a sustainable model for life support in Katsuyama City.

What is 'Magokoro Support'?

'Magokoro Support' is a system where healthy local residents serve as 'concierges' to provide paid assistance for the 'minor daily support' needed to live independently and comfortably.

Unlike professional caregiving services, the goal is for local residents to respond to small, everyday challenges within their own communities.

Examples of Support Services:

- Light bulb replacement - Weeding - Garbage disposal - Shopping assistance - Accompanying to medical appointments - Smartphone operation support - Simple tidying and consultation on daily life challenges

* Medical procedures, care services requiring professional qualifications, or hazardous tasks may be excluded. Scope of support will be confirmed on a case-by-case basis.

Goals of the Initiative

1. For Users: Creating the Reassurance of 'Having Someone to Rely On'

For elderly individuals and those in need of support, having a reliable place to turn to for minor daily challenges enhances peace of mind and quality of life.

Through 'Magokoro Support,' the aim is to increase options for maintaining independent living in familiar communities, thereby delaying the need for long-term care insurance applications, progression to care dependency, or institutionalization.

2. For Supporters: Enabling Residents to Contribute Using Their Skills and Experience

For local residents serving as concierges, this role offers an opportunity to contribute to the community within manageable limits, using their personal skills and experiences.

With flexible, short-duration, and nearby activities, people from various backgrounds—including seniors, parents with young children, and students—can participate as community supporters. This also provides opportunities for social engagement and supplemental income, extending the period during which individuals can live actively and independently.

3. For the Community: Fostering a Natural Culture of Mutual Support

Beyond the user-supporter relationship, the initiative aims to cultivate a community atmosphere where 'it's okay to ask for help when in need' and 'I want to support when I can.'

Even as the number of caregivers and support providers becomes limited due to population decline and aging, leveraging local community resources will help create a town where everyone can live with purpose and security.

Additionally, by institutionalizing minor support tasks that were previously handled individually by care managers and other professionals, the service contributes to more appropriate use of long-term care insurance and allows professionals to focus on core caregiving responsibilities.

Explanatory Meetings

Prior to the official launch, explanatory meetings will be held to introduce the 'Magokoro Support' system and its usage.

Content: Explanation of the 'Magokoro Support' system and how to use it Participation fee: Free Inquiries: 0120-979-141 (Magokoro Support User Support Desk; reception hours: 9:00–18:00)

Meeting for Medical and Welfare Professionals

Date: July 10, 2026 (Fri), 14:00–15:00 (Registration from 13:30) Target: Medical and welfare professionals Venue: Sukoyaka First Meeting Room (1-1-50 Koorimachi, Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture)

Public Meeting

Date: July 11, 2026 (Sat), 10:00–11:00 (Registration from 9:30) Target: General public Venue: Geo Arena Training Room (2-4-20 Showamachi, Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture)

Meeting for Yonokawa District Residents

Date: July 11, 2026 (Sat), 14:00–15:00 (Registration from 13:45) Target: Residents of Yonokawa District Venue: Sakuranbo (2-1-11 Yonokawamachi, Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture)

Executive Comments

Keiya Aoki, CEO, MIKAWAYA21 Co., Ltd.

'Magokoro Support has been expanding nationwide as a system that harnesses local community strengths to address the daily challenges of elderly residents. We are deeply encouraged that Katsuyama Fukushikai, with its long-standing commitment to community welfare, will implement this service as a public-benefit initiative by a social welfare corporation. This marks a significant step forward in integrating healthcare, nursing care, and welfare services. We will continue to contribute to building a community in Katsuyama City where residents naturally support one another.'

Hirofumi Kurenai, President, Katsuyama Fukushikai

'We believe it is time to shift from an era where community life is supported solely by systems, facilities, and professionals, to one where we mutually leverage the strengths of every individual living in the community. 'Magokoro Support' is not only a system to address minor daily challenges but also an initiative that creates roles and connections within the community. We aim to build a city where everyone in Katsuyama can live independently and securely until the end, and we look forward to nurturing this initiative together with local residents.'