Game Arcades are no longer amusement parks only for the young. Today, let me share an intriguing news in Japan.
via asahi.com
「ゲーセン」いまや常連はお年寄り シニアサービス充実
Game arcades have been changing their meaning. Before they were amusement facilities only for most children and young people, but now, they have been converted into places of recreation and relaxation for elderly people.
The reason seems, they can spend their time longer and more reasonable than in other recreational facilities. That is why recently some industries that are worrying about losing their young customers due to decreasing number of children, have started services for the aged.
In afternoon of the middle of August, many elderly people were playing in a game arcade, "Hello Taito Kameari". "How are you?" Chieko Kofuji(76) who was sitting on a Tatami-mat installed bench spoke to Matsu Noda(86). Both of them are frequenters here and got to know each other since they've come to this shop often. Kofuji who lost her husband 10 years ago said, "If I am alone in my house I will get senile, but here, I can forget all about the time".
The number of eldery customers has been increasing for 2 years and nowadays, they've accounted 80-90% of the users of the shop.
Almost all of them spend a few hours here, having some cups of tea, having lunch, or chatting with their friends. "This shop seems to be their meeting place"said the shop manager.
This company, Taito already replaced standard benches with Tatami-installed benches for the aged in their 20 stores last January, .
via asahi.com
「ゲーセン」いまや常連はお年寄り シニアサービス充実
Game arcades have been changing their meaning. Before they were amusement facilities only for most children and young people, but now, they have been converted into places of recreation and relaxation for elderly people.
The reason seems, they can spend their time longer and more reasonable than in other recreational facilities. That is why recently some industries that are worrying about losing their young customers due to decreasing number of children, have started services for the aged.
In afternoon of the middle of August, many elderly people were playing in a game arcade, "Hello Taito Kameari". "How are you?" Chieko Kofuji(76) who was sitting on a Tatami-mat installed bench spoke to Matsu Noda(86). Both of them are frequenters here and got to know each other since they've come to this shop often. Kofuji who lost her husband 10 years ago said, "If I am alone in my house I will get senile, but here, I can forget all about the time".
The number of eldery customers has been increasing for 2 years and nowadays, they've accounted 80-90% of the users of the shop.
Almost all of them spend a few hours here, having some cups of tea, having lunch, or chatting with their friends. "This shop seems to be their meeting place"said the shop manager.
This company, Taito already replaced standard benches with Tatami-installed benches for the aged in their 20 stores last January, .
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