Clova CareCall Expands to Japan's Ultra-Aged Izumo City, Offering Aging Solutions with Korean AI

South Korea's AI technology has rolled up its sleeves to solve Japan's aging population problem. Naver Cloud has joined hands with Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture, Japan, to sign a business agreement for the introduction of its AI welfare check call service, 'Clova CareCall'. This collaboration goes beyond a simple technological partnership; it carries symbolic meaning as both countries, commemorating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Japan, seek to bridge the care gap in their shared super-aged societies with AI. Izumo City is a city with a severe aging problem, with approximately 30% of its total population being seniors aged 65 or older. With a drastic shortage of manpower compared to the surging demand for care, the city has actively sought welfare innovation solutions using advanced technology, and as a solution, it focused on Naver Cloud's AI technology and operational know-how. 'Clova CareCall' is a service where AI directly calls elderly people living alone and middle-aged single-person households who need care, to check on their well-being. It is designed to gently ask about their well-being like a close friend and encourage emotional connection through personalized conversations. If unusual signs are detected during a call, it immediately connects them to relevant institutions such as welfare workers or hospitals, enabling quick response to crisis situations. It has already proven its worth in over half of South Korea's local governments, demonstrating high response rates and satisfaction. In March of this year, it officially received recognition for its excellence in Japan by becoming the first Korean company to reach the top 5 in a competition hosted by the Cabinet Secretariat of Japan. Both sides have been operating a pilot service in some areas of Izumo City since October last year, confirming the positive potential of the service's effectiveness and user reactions. Buoyed by this, they decided to officially introduce the service, and after 6 months of system enhancement, the warm touch of AI care is expected to spread throughout Izumo City by the first half of next year. Chae Seon-ju, Head of Naver's Strategic Business, emphasized, "The proposal of 'Clova CareCall,' which began in 2021 to solve South Korea's super-aging problem, to Japan, which faces the same aging issues, is meant for both countries to seek solutions together," adding that this collaboration will establish itself as a practical digital welfare cooperation model between South Korea and Japan. She also stressed that AI must evolve beyond simple technological competition to become a practical tool for solving social problems, pledging Naver's role as a responsible technology partner. Naver Cloud plans to participate in the '2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo,' held in Osaka, Japan, from July 9th to 11th, showcasing an exhibition centered around 'Clova CareCall' and promoting its innovative AI care service to the world. This collaboration is expected to become a meaningful success story that both countries will write together in the field of digital welfare, commemorating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Japan.