A computing class run by Ichiekai. (Ichiekai)

Recently there has been a sharp increase in the number of middle-aged and older people using e-mail. Growing particularly fast is participation in SeniorNet, a group in which older people use computers and mobile phones to connect with others in their area. Their activities now go beyond the original purpose of learning to use computers via the Internet or sending e-mail from home; more and more of the participants are interacting with each other outside of cyberspace, meeting face-to-face and going places together.

Networks Across Japan
SeniorNet is partially supported by the Mellow Society Forum, a group associated with the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry that has quickly grown to include 100 networks throughout Japan. One of these is a group in Tokyo called Ichiekai (site is Japanese only), which was formed in 1994 by teachers and students that had gotten to know each other in a computer class. This group of 200 has no membership dues, no rules, and no rigid organization; the emphasis is on individuals making connections with each other. While learning about computers is still an important aspect of the group, members that have taken the opportunity to get to know each other often engage in social activities, such as hiking or attending concerts together.

	Members of Ichiekai hiking together. (Ichiekai)

Another such group is the Sendai Citizens' Network for Seniors, which was originally formed in 1995 as a gathering of people engaged in volunteer activities or hobbies, such as writing haiku. Three years ago this group bought 10 used computers and began offering computer classes taught by some of the more computer-savvy members. Nowadays, some members that attend the network's English conversation class send e-mail to each other in English. Others have made their own websites that provide lists of volunteers or information for tourists. The approximately 400 members are engaged in various activities, and many of them have begun volunteering.

In addition, networks have been set up in companies and organizations that provide home care for elderly people living alone. People visit seniors in their homes and teach them how to use computers and access the Internet. From the perspective of home care, this type of network has expanded the kinds of suppport activities available for the elderly and the handicapped.

International Exchange
SeniorNet has also made it possible for older people to have contact with their counterparts overseas. Tokyo's Mellow Club is a network of 200 members, the average age of whom is 70. Last June, 28 of them visited Busan, South Korea and had a meeting with a similar group there called Wollobang. The Japanese seniors met with 40 Korean participants in a conference room equipped with 30 computers. In addition to getting to know each other and forming friendships, they discussed ways to prevent the characters in their e-mail exchanges between Japan and South Korea from coming out garbled.

Japan's World Cup Squad
Exchanges between the Japanese and South Korean versions of SeniorNet began about 10 years ago. Using computer networks, the groups each constructed online conferences, and after about two months online exchanges began; individuals soon initiated their own exchanges, as well. While people first used English to communicate, the e-mails are now in Japanese, as there are many people in South Korea who have a good command of the language. Members on both sides have indicated how proud they are that it has been their generation that has taken the lead in promoting mutual understanding, and they hope that younger generations will follow their example.

Personal computers and mobile phones have shown themselves to be convenient tools that have enriched the lives of older people. While offering physical support will be difficult to achieve through SeniorNet, it has proven to be an effective means of teaching others and lending emotional support. It has also contributed to creating a community that knows no geographical bounds. But as communications over the Internet are mainly limited to text, members of these networks have not been satisfied with the sort of limits this imposes, so they have a strong tendency to want to meet each other in person. This is why there are more networks based in a particular area than there are that serve the entire nation. These networks may be a new type of social club for seniors.