SMK Corporation (President: Yasumitsu Ikeda, hereinafter "SMK"), Uda City, Nara Prefecture (Mayor: Kazuchika Kongō, hereinafter "Uda City"), and Yamada Bee Farm Headquarters Co., Ltd. (President: Hideo Yamada, hereinafter "Yamada Bee Farm") signed a comprehensive collaboration agreement on June 17, 2026, to advance initiatives supporting residents' health and extending healthy life expectancy.

Photo: From left, President Hideo Yamada (Yamada Bee Farm), Mayor Kazuchika Kongō (Uda City), and President Yasumitsu Ikeda (SMK) at the signing ceremony. (June 17, 2026)

Under this agreement, the three parties will jointly conduct a health cohort study targeting Uda City residents, combining the provision of functional foods that support brain health with voice-based technology to analyze cognitive health. By continuously collecting and analyzing health-related data, they aim to generate actionable insights for community health and build a sustainable health-promotion model through collaboration between local government and private enterprises.

Amid accelerating population aging and declining birthrates, municipalities face increasing pressure to implement effective policies that extend healthy life expectancy, improve public health, and optimize social security spending. At the same time, companies are increasingly required to accumulate real-world usage data and evidence to enhance the value of health-related services and products.

Against this backdrop, the three parties have entered into this agreement to co-create new, community-based health initiatives by combining their respective technological expertise, research insights, and local infrastructure. Their primary roles and characteristics are as follows:

Uda City Under the concept of a "Health and Happiness City" (Wellness City), the city is promoting urban development where all citizens can live healthily and feel fulfilled.

SMK Actively advancing the social implementation of technology that analyzes cognitive health based on vocal characteristics.

Yamada Bee Farm Engaged in the research, development, manufacturing, and sales of bee-derived products such as royal jelly and honey, supporting public health through functional food products.

Key Initiatives Under the Agreement

- Implementation of a health cohort study targeting local residents (all three parties) - Provision of functional food samples and measurement of health maintenance effects (Yamada Bee Farm) - Collection and analysis of health data using voice analysis technology (SMK) - Generation of insights through continuous acquisition of health-related data (SMK and Yamada Bee Farm) - Recruitment of study participants and provision of implementation environments (venues, public outreach) (Uda City) - Verification of potential applications in public health initiatives (all three parties) - Building a public-private partnership model for solving regional challenges (all three parties)

SMK will utilize insights gained from this study to contribute to municipal health initiatives and the advancement of corporate health-related services, while promoting the social implementation of new healthcare solutions based on voice analysis technology.

※ Link to voice analysis technology introduction page

Contact Information

SMK Corporation, Innovation Center Business Development Department

TEL: 03-3785-4651

(Reference)

[Uda City, Nara Prefecture]

Mayor: Kazuchika Kongō

Address: 17-3 Shimoimada, Hahakigi, Uda City, Nara Prefecture

Website: https://www.city.uda.lg.jp/

[Yamada Bee Farm Headquarters Co., Ltd.]

Representative: President Hideo Yamada

Address: 194 Ichiba, Kagami, Tomata District, Okayama Prefecture

Business: A company that supports public health through research, development, manufacturing, and sales of health foods and cosmetics utilizing bee products, with beekeeping as its foundation.

URL: https://www.3838.com/

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Partnership