Contributing to Society
Health, Medicine, and Sports
Konica Minolta contributes in various ways, such as supporting the digital transformation of nursing care facilities, assisting in the early detection of neonatal jaundice, and cooperating in Pink Ribbon activities for the early detection of breast cancer. It also promotes sports, for instance by sponsoring jogging classes led by the Konica Minolta Track and Field Club across Japan.
Helping to Solve Social Challenges Through the Digital Transformation of Nursing Care Facilities
Japan is entering a super-aged society. According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, it is estimated that by 2040, Japan will face a shortage of 570,000 caregivers, while the cost of the nation's long-term care insurance system continues to rise.
To curb rising costs, the government of Japan has made a major shift toward “scientific nursing care,” which emphasizes care that supports independent living. However, many nursing care facilities in Japan have not yet fully embraced IT or developed sufficient IT literacy.
Since 2016, Konica Minolta has been commercializing Care Support Solutions, which use ICT to transform nursing care workflows. Under the brand name HitomeQ, the Company aims to create a world where all stakeholders shine with excitement by providing services that improve the quality of life for the elderly. Through its HitomeQ Care Support service*, the Company works with customers to help transform nursing care sites.
- *
- HitomeQ Care Support is a service that uses proprietary image-sensing technology and behavior analysis sensors in conjunction with smartphones to improve care quality and operational efficiency. The service not only provides a system but also offers comprehensive support, including identifying issues through operational assessments, providing implementation assistance, helping to build an organization that can effectively use ICT, and continuing to support data-driven care operations after the system is installed.
To further support nursing care providers, Konica Minolta regularly holds free seminars to support the digital transformation of care facilities embrace the digital transformation necessary to enable scientific nursing care. The company is working to help bring IT to these facilities, for instance by providing accessible explanations of scientific nursing care and systems while presenting case studies of actual digital transformation of care facilities. The Company began hosting its own seminars in fiscal 2018. With the introduction of webinars in fiscal 2020, participation increased significantly, and by the end of fiscal 2024, a cumulative total of over 7,100 people had attended.
Since 2019, Konica Minolta has also partnered with a vocational school for certified care workers to establish the Konica Minolta ICT Nursing Care Training Room and begun offering lectures on ICT nursing care. Konica Minolta employees also participate in these practical lectures.
Konica Minolta ICT Nursing Care Training Room
Support for Early Detection and Treatment of Jaundice (Kernicterus) in Newborns
Pathological jaundice (kernicterus) can cause brain abnormalities and cerebral palsy if the concentration of bilirubin, the substance that causes jaundice, exceeds a certain level in a newborn shortly after birth. In the past, it was one of the three leading causes of cerebral palsy in Japan, but its incidence has significantly decreased thanks to early detection and treatment systems using devices such as transcutaneous jaundice meter. However, due to a lack of expertise and resources, some regions around the world still lack effective early detection systems and cannot properly manage jaundice.
Cooperation in the Kernicterus Eradication Project to Reduce Neonatal Mortality (Myanmar)
Donation ceremony for a transcutaneous jaundice meter held at Yangon Children’s Hospital on December 27, 2019
Taking a baby’s measurements using a JM-105 transcutaneous bilirubinometer
From 2017 to 2019, Konica Minolta cooperated in the Kernicterus Eradication Project in Myanmar. This project, commissioned by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to the National Center for Global Health and Medicine, is an international initiative to promote medical technology. Konica Minolta supported the project by lending and maintaining jaundice meter and analyzing data.
In 1980, Konica Minolta developed the world’s first transcutaneous jaundice meter, which helped eradicate kernicterus in Japan. Using this project as a model, the Company will continue to contribute to the spread of jaundice management in Asia.
Providing Bilirubinometers for the UCSF Newborn Telemedicine Program (U.S.)
In 2020, as part of the UCSF Newborn Telemedicine Program, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals in the U.S. conducted a clinical trial of at-home jaundice monitoring by parents for newborns at high risk of jaundice complications during their first week of life. Konica Minolta supported this trial by providing 12 jaundice meter to collect and analyze data for practical use.
Early Detection of Breast Cancer
Konica Minolta's Pink Ribbon campaign symbol
Konica Minolta, Inc., supplies digital mammography systems and breast ultrasound diagnostic systems that are effective for the early detection of breast cancer. In connection with this business, the Company supports the Pink Ribbon campaign, which emphasizes the importance of early breast cancer detection.
Supporting Cancer Advocacy Organizations
The Konica Minolta Group provides support for organizations that assist breast cancer patients and their families in each area.
In North America, Konica Minolta Healthcare Americas, Inc. assists the Susan G. Komen organization and other organizations.
In Australia, Konica Minolta Business Solutions Australia Pty. Ltd. helps out the Breast Cancer Network of Australia.
In the UK, Konica Minolta provides a range of support to each organization, including monetary donations, donations of its office equipment and supplies, and participation by employee volunteers at charity events and fund-raising activities. Employees of Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd., for example, participate in a charity run organized by Alma Zois-Panhellenic Association of Women With Breast Cancer.
Beyond breast cancer, Konica Minolta also supports organizations related to various kinds of cancer across the world, including in Canada, the U.S., Australia, and Malaysia.
Social Contribution in Local Sports
Jogging class
In jogging classes, Konica Minolta conveys the joy of running and the running know-how cultivated by the Konica Minolta Track and Field Club over many years. These initiatives promote interaction among community members, from beginners to serious runners, and contributes to the promotion of sports through unique programs.