Selected Project Samples

IBM: The Multinational Corporations (MNC) survey report《Strategy and Change》– published in Dec. 2006

This one–year project was conducted in 2006. The research team started from questionnaire design, followed by an interview, data collection, and data analysis, etc. to a final written report which achieved the project goal successfully. Yoko was in charge of the Japanese MNCs surveys and participated in other MNCs interviews as well. Yoko was the only Japanese member of the team.

Deerfield Institute: Japan Health Care Market Overview

Yoko Marikawa was invited to deliver a 100–minute presentation in English to the Deerfield research team. Specifically covered was the whole Japan Health Care Market including Medicine, Medical Devices, Medical Care, Elderly Care, Healthy Food, Preventive Care, and all the related sections. The redefined concept of the Health Care industry from the perspective of the Japanese Government was also introduced.

Accenture: Product and Service Targeting Senior Customers in China

Yoko Marikawa was invited to deliver a presentation on Products and Services Targeting Senior Customers in China, it focuses on 1) Home appliance products targeting (customized too) senior (elderly) customers: TV, Vacuum Cleaner, Washing machine, Tablet, Smartphone, etc. 2) Market potential. 3) Market entry. 4) Hardware products (e.g., home appliances, blood pressure meter, blood glucose meter, etc.) and Solution service (e.g., health management, security service, information management service to support home care, etc.) targeting home care centers in China and its market potential and market entry etc.

Shanghai Jiaotong University Real Estate Finance & Model Innovation CEO Course
(Oct. 2013–Oct. 2014)

Yoko Marikawa delivered a lecture as a visiting professor at Jiaotong University entitled Real Estate Finance & Model Innovation CEO Course (2013–2014). Her lecture leads a deep discussion on the Aging Industry overview, the Chinese aging industry, related policy and regulations, an introduction to the Japanese retirement housing market, retirement housing projects, development & operation, business model innovation for retirement homes, etc. This is a one–year professional course held by Shanghai Jiaotong University.

Tongji University: 2014 City and Society Academic Forum: Ageing Society & the coping strategy

This forum led a deep discussion on when a city's society ages and what coping strategy and actions should be implemented by the city government and architects. How to build a Smart / Intelligent city that is barrier–free, elder–friendly, disabled friendly, and with convenient access to public facilities, transportation, and civil services, etc. Yoko Marikawa was a key speaker and led the in–depth discussion on elders’ needs and coping principles in city planning and architecture etc.

Aiwan Project: Ageing Industry Introduction (training)

Aiwan Project is a government project: Yoko Marikawa was invited to deliver a training program entitled An Ageing Industry Introduction—a full industry chain introduction. Yoko Marikawa gave a detail introduction of all the subsections of the Ageing Industry, include the Retirement Housing development & management, Aged Care, Medical Care, Caregiver training, Pensions, and Insurance, Financing, Reverse Mortgages, Leisure, and the recent inventions: Cross–border cooperation with IT, online shopping, logistic networks, etc.

The Boston Consulting Group (BCG): “Time Sensitive” Senior Housing in China and the West

Yoko Marikawa was invited to provide consultation regarding “Time Sensitive” Senior Housing in China and the West, including topics about Senior housing real estate opportunities in China, the Real Estate developer's perspective on senior housing, and the senior housing Market landscape (China / US / Europe / Au), etc.

Liverpool University: Research project Senior Citizens & City

It focuses on: 1) the presence of potential (or already existing) private investors. 2) The identification of suitable business models to facilitate a win–win approach between the public and the private sector and effective PPPs. 3) the identification of smart urbanism principles (access to public transportation, environmental assessment in place, etc.) 4) The presence of good governance principles (mechanisms to ensure the consultation of the neighborhood inhabitants. 5) the presence of transparent procedures for ensuring the best and most innovative design process.

The research moreover aims at defining a strategic plan for action by selecting suitable sites to be developed or redeveloped, based on a set of defined criteria, in agreement with the local government. Each site will be defined as a “smart municipal initiative” based on the principles. Yoko Marikawa is the appointed leader expert for this research project.

The Carlyle Group: The opportunities in the aging industry in SEA

The focused subjects are the demographic transition and current situation of the aged population in Indonesia, the opportunities, and best entries for investors in the aging industry in Indonesia, and other SEA nations.

Acute Care Hospital for the Elderly in Japan

This project focused on: 1) Government regulations and extent of coverage & the mechanism of the policy. 2) Long term growth trends. 3) Key players and competitive dynamics 4) the medical/long–term care insurance reimbursement policy–making aspect.

Regarding the healthcare market for the elderly (especially long–term care after surgery): 1) Government regulations and policies. 2) Long–term growth trends in the industry. 3) Key players and competitive environment in the industry.

Korean aged care / long–term care

This project has made an in–depth study of the following subjects: 1) Overview of the Korean long–term care legislation and how it fits into the broader National Health Insurance Scheme. 2) The application process to be a beneficiary at LTC facilities – overview of the 52 question assessment criteria; Overview of the Level of Care Categories. 3) Overview of the LTCI payment structure – how is the maximum calculation determined and levied upon beneficiaries. 4) What is the baseline level of charge that the company is based upon？ How is this determined, by whom, how often? 5) Run through how a typical beneficiary would be charged and how s/he would obtain funds. 6) What is the standard of care at a typical LTCI facility? What is the ratio of careers/patients etc. 7) what are some current issues with the LTCI system and what are some government proposals/initiatives to address concerns?

The eldercare nursing home market in Japan

This project focuses on: 1) Market trends in Sapporo and Nara, gov't policies, how demographic change impact the market, etc.2) Number of operators, and demand and supply of nursing homes in these areas. 3) Competitors of the two top operators, new upcoming operators, if any. 4) How stable are the business of these two operators? 5) Any examples of operator’s failures and what led to them?

The Boston Consulting Group (BCG)：Senior Care Industry in China

This project focuses on: 1) What is the transition of the values for long–term care in China? (In the past, there was a value that family care should be provided, but now it is a value that is left to professionals?) 2) The care business in China The current situation and issues, especially what the current development stage is, how far it has been realized, how far it will develop in the next 10 years, why it remains in the above state and the bottleneck of development What is the Chinese government's long–term care policy, and what is the future direction?

The Boston Consulting Group Japan: Senior Care Industry in China

This project focuses on: 1) Current market scale and major market. 2) Major players in each market. 3) Future growth outlook. 4) Reason why China market was small. 5) KSF in each market. 6) the Current situation of senior care. 7) Entry regulation and subsidy in a different region. 8) Current status of human resources and government policy to keep sufficient human resources.

Yoko's Research reports – 2016

This project focuses on: 1) The overview of China senior care market (Include senior care service, senior care products, and equipment, senior care facilities sectors). 2) The buying power of the 3 sectors: high–end, middle–end, and low–end market end user. 3) The major players in each market. 4) The summary of the related regulations for senior care service market investors.

The Boston Consulting Group Japan: Senior Care Market in China

This project focuses on: 1) Chinese government's awareness of Japanese–style nursing care, what part are they trying to incorporate and how are they trying to incorporate it? 2) Income level of buyers by adult diaper price range. 3) By price range of nursing care facilities Income level of residents in Japan. 4) Income level of users by price range of domestic labor services. 6) What is the transition of values for long–term care in China.

XX Investment Group: Nursing Care Sector in Japan and the broad market

This research focuses on: 1) Industry trends in the nursing care sector in Japan and sector performances. 2) The main players in this space and their position in the market–the top 30 companies. 3) The top 10 players’ business strategy, performance, and future trend, etc.

Aveo Group Australia: Senior Living Market and Aged Care Sector in China

This project discusses the aged care service provider industry in China. Specifically, the client hopes to better understand the operations and market of Aveo Group, an Australia’s aged care service provider, in China.

Market dynamics: 1) market size, market growth. 2) types / formats of elderly care (independent living, nursing homes, hospices). 3) current trends.

Competitive landscape: 1) major players (real estate, insurance, foreign operators). 2) market share. 3) level of profitability.

Research objectives: 1) Policy and Regulatory framework – Government policy towards senior living and if and how regulation works by say region and what support framework exist like funding, etc. 2) Trends in the senior living market in China – particularly at the middle to upper–class level. 3) Who are the major players in the sector and who is winning/losing. 4) Are foreign players advantaged or disadvantaged in entering or playing in the sector? 5) What are the major opportunities and risks to foreign developers?

Yoko Marikawa's webinar: <<Senior Living Asset Management & Risk in Japan>>

XX Group UK (Hotel Group): Luxury hotels in South Korea – Market Survey

Market survey about elderly guests sharing price sensitivity, the service requirements, and market trend analysis.

XX Financial Institution (Japan): Financial Services toward Elderly Population in Japan

This project focuses on: The market size, needs, and hurdles, provide overseas samples and cases which could be adapted to the Japanese market. 1) What typically happens to pension costs (i.e. liabilities) in the case of privatizations, where government agencies are privatized, and mechanisms required to solve potential issues/conflicts of interest between different stakeholders? 2) What typically happens to pension costs (i.e. liabilities) in the case of uncovered public servants (i.e. how countries have typically treated uncovered public servants in cases where they become covered due to a change in legislation)? 3) Financial Services for the elderly, especially overseas cases applicable to Japan, needs, and hurdles in Japan, etc.

XXX Investment / PE (USA): Senior Homes Industry in Japan

This project focuses on: 1) Industry dynamics and challenges around staffing for senior homes industry landscape in Japan. 2) Has it typically been difficult to staff nursing homes or are these generally related to a specific type of homes? 3) Staffing challenges or critical success factors for the Japanese senior home industry.

Medical Laboratories Research
(Japan & U.S. market)

This project focuses on:

KOL sector: 1) Current laboratory landscape (key features, including current best practices and challenges that define the current landscape). 2) Understanding the movement along the 'value–driven' spectrum: how far along are we between operational efficiency and clinical effectiveness? Is there a way to reconcile the two? 3) Assessing the potential need of reimbursement mechanisms to change with the movement to VBH. 4) Understanding the evolution of the laboratory's role as it moves towards delivering value in its structure, process, and outcomes. 5) Understanding the role of infrastructure and resources (including analytics, human resources, etc.) in achieving greater value to the patient.

Payer Sector: 1) Current reimbursement landscape: salient trends driving current reimbursement and testing patterns. 2) Understanding the value proposition of a laboratory: what should a laboratory do to drive increased resource productivity? 3) Assessing the role of particular tools in driving value– e.g., outsourcing laboratories, improving physician training, and using analytics/informatics to enable a lab to deliver improved precision medicine/targeted therapy. 4) Assessing the role of investment policies and agendas in the context of measuring value in laboratories. 5) Assessing the role of investment policies and agendas in the context of clinical efficiency.

Medical Products Market Research
(Japan & China market)

This project focuses on: The medical products market size, top players, and market shares of the products in the two sectors: From manufacturer's side: 1) EP (Electro Physiology) 2) Energy 3) Sterilizer 4) Trocar 5) Biosurgery From dealer side: 1) Wound Closure, Trocars, Endoscopic products, Open Mechanical, Robotics, Energy (Advanced & basic), Biosurgery 2) Knees, Trauma, Hip, and Spine 3) Electrophysiology and Sterilization/Disinfection.

XX Investment Group (HK): Hematology regulations and market research
(Germany market)

This project focuses on: 1) What are the key growth trends in Hematology? 2) Have you observed any regulatory changes that may affect Hematology? E.g., changes in reimbursement? 3) Are there any Mergers & acquisitions that have occurred this year? 4) Are there any changes in the consumer/hospital buying patterns in Hematology? Why? 5) Have there been any major account changes during 2015 – 2016? 6) Who are the top 5 major players in the market? 7) What about the Asian players entering the market will they become market major players soon in the short term?

XX Investment Group (USA): Ventilator Production & Market in Japan

The research is aimed at getting factual data on the reimbursement of ventilators in Japan. The data will have granularity in the specified product sub–segments (Invasive and Non–invasive ventilators) and historical data/trends whenever available (covering 2013 to 2016). Inpatient, outpatient, and home care will be included in the scope and reported as a consolidation. Analyze and report the latest ventilator market landscape, size, volume, business models, and growth trends for Ventilator in both inpatients and home care? The short–listed suppliers that required tackling: IMI, Fukuda Denshi, Covidien, Dräger Japan, Nihon Kohden, Teijin Pharma, Tokibo, Fuji– Mentenir, etc.

XX PE (Japan) ：Retirement and / or Independent Living Models
USA and / or Canada market

This research requires providing an educated insight into the market for rental–based retirement and/or independent accommodation models in the USA and/or Canada. 1) General trends about how over 55s think about full–time accommodation options (rent vs. own, urban vs. suburban vs. rural, etc.). 2) Key customer purchasing criteria for accommodation in the over 55s category (must– haves, nice–to–haves, must–not–haves). 3) Relative strengths and weaknesses of key players in the market (e.g., REITs or Operators). 4) Macro–economic trends influencing the market (e.g., pricing, capacity, and demand). 5) Examples of innovation in this market.

XX Foundation (USA): SMS Kai Poke | Customer Perspective

This research focuses on SMS Kai Poke, SMS’s SaaS–based nursing care insurance claim system. It includes the current customer dynamics, perception, growth outlook, competitive differentiators, etc.

Given speech on Sep. 5th and 6th 2018 at UN Ad hoc open–ended working group established by UN General

Assembly resolution 72/277 entitled “Towards a Global Pact for the Environment”

Yoko Marikawa has given a speech on Sep. 5^th and 6^th 2018 at UN Ad hoc open–ended working group established by UN General Assembly resolution 72/277 entitled “Towards a Global Pact for the Environment” as UN representative on behalf of UN NGOs and the Commons Cluster of UN NGO Major Groups, addressed the well– being of all people and nature, the worldwide civil society involvement impact, and the importance of new technology implementation in providing resolution for Environmental issues. The 2 days speeches have delivered the messages and impact successfully to the United Nations.

Indiana University (IU): International Executive Education Market Strategy

International Executive Education Market Strategy is a research program established by Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs, aiming at creating a master Market Strategy to expand its Executive Education programs and enhance IU’s brand to the international market to enhance their competency in domestic and international market. Yoko Marikawa’s international network and resource will bring advantage to IU marketing strategy development and execution. Especially, her network built up throughout her whole career in Asia, Europe, America, and Australia.

New York State Assisted Living Communities Planning
Heiwa Assisted Living Community

New York State Governor Cuomo’s office, The Governor’s Office of Faith–Based Community Development Service invited Yoko Marikawa to join the project meeting and provide consultancy as an Eldercare and Healthcare expert for Heiwa Assisted Living Communities project. This Assisted Living project is highly supported by the New York State government because it can boost the economy by contributing tax and creating jobs, furthermore, it can help resolve eldercare problems that every city is facing because of the aging population’s rapid growth and increasing eldercare needs. As well, it carries a great social impact on the society in raising the public

awareness of respecting and improving elder people’s life quality and welfare. In the meeting, we also discussed the possibilities of helping New York State reintegration programs. The meeting was focused on making a master plan for the project, making a budget, finding funding resources, mapping, and analyze the economic outcome and social impact of the project including job creating and elder persons’ welfare and medical care quality improvement.

New York City Assisted Living Communities Planning
Heiwa Assisted Living Community

Yoko Marikawa was invited to the meeting with New York City Public Health Department officials and provide consultancy as an Eldercare and Healthcare expert for Heiwa Assisted Living Community project. This Assisted Living project is highly supported by the New York City government because it can boost the economy by contributing tax and creating jobs, furthermore, it can help resolve eldercare problems that every city is facing because of the aging population’s rapid growth and increasing eldercare needs. As well, it carries a great social impact on the society in raising the public awareness of respecting and improving elder people’s life quality and welfare. In the meeting, we also discussed the possibilities of helping New York City reintegration programs.

Yoko Marikawa’s consultancy provided expertise for master planning, budgeting, funding resources, mapping, economic outcome, and social impact for New York City. Especially the job–creating in Eldercare service and facilities.

Investment Management Firm: Reverse Mortgage Industry | Multiple Perspectives

This project focuses on the reverse mortgage industry from multiple perspectives.

Financial perspective: 1) Financial accounting overview of reverse mortgages. 2) How unit economics flow through the income statement and balance sheet over the life of a loan. 3) Differences between cash vs. GAAP accounting. 4) Valuation methodology for loan components such as tail, mortgage servicing rights (MSR) and loan loss reserves (LLR). 5) Sensitivity to variables such as interest rates and prepayments, as well as possible hedging best practices.

Regulatory perspective: 1) Overview of regulatory changes in the reverse mortgage industry. 2) Changes that have occurred in the last decade. 3) Overview of resulting MMI performance. 4) Impact on industry concentration / competition. 5) Probability of future regulatory changes.

Professional Services Firm: Overview of Behavioral Health Software | Decision–Makers

This project focuses on research how the facility management select software for behavioral health facilities, the decision–making process for selecting software.

1) Which of the following practice areas are provided at your facility? Which of the following best describes the setting of care for your facility? 2) Please indicate if your facility uses specialized software, manual processes. 3) What best describes your involvement in the decision–making process for choosing software for the facility? 4) Are you able to list the approximate size of your company?

XXX investment company, South Korea | Japanese Collaborative Robot Market

The content of the project is as follows: 1) Current status of the domestic collaborative robot market. 2) Collaborative robots (UR, TM / Omron, etc.) Strengths and weaknesses by manufacturer, main customer base. 3) Current state of marketing / promotion in the domestic market.

British Private Equity Company | Japanese Long-term care insurance application software

The content of the project is as follows: 1) understanding the use case of Milmo (a Japanese Long-Term Care insurance application software produced by Welmo Inc.) 2) How will the Milmo system be helpful. 3) Any alternatives to Milmo.