◎Background

    Entertainment, such as games, TV programs, and movies, is indispensable for us to lead a fulfilling life in today’s society.  Most households in Japan own a television, which they watch almost every day.  It is also reported that one in four Japanese people play video games at home on a daily basis.  Such entertainment is an extremely influential medium that directly affects the human brain and mind and has an impact on the lifestyle of the viewer and player; however, the effects of such entertainment on the human mind and body have rarely been scientifically clarified thus far.

◎Goals

     An academic research organization, the Tohoku University Entertainment and Smart Aging Platform, was established by integrating the seeds of various research fields in Tohoku University, and the effects of entertainment, such as games, TV programs, and movies, on the human mind and body are being scientifically analyzed and evaluated.  In particular, the following two points are addressed:  1) how people should relate to entertainment so that all individuals and society can mature intellectually while effectively dealing with the changes associated with aging, and 2) how entertainment should be developed to promote the establishment of a smart aging society.  Furthermore, we will develop commercial products for putting the established theory into practice through industry-university joint research and demonstrate the effects of these products.  
 

◎Theme

(1) Research on the short- and long-term effects of entertainment on the  human brain and mind

     

      How individuals effectively relate to entertainment is examined through scientific approaches.

          

      (1)-1 Research on short-term effects       

          Various factors, such as brain activity, autonomic function, and level of stress, while an   

      individual is enjoying various types of entertainment, are scientifically measured to clarify     

      the relationship between these factors and personal characteristics, such as age and     

      entertainment experience.

 

      (1)-2 Research on long-term effects

          The relationships among entertainment experience, cognitive function, and quality of life   

      (QOL) are clarified by prospective and retrospective cohort studies.

 

(2) Development of new forms of entertainment in an aging society                                                                                             

      We will develop new forms of entertainment that will improve brain activity and cultivate   

  intellectual connections.  Then, we will spread these new forms of entertainment via

  cooperation between industry and academia.

 

      (2)-1 Research on brain function improvement

          The basic principles of entertainment that can improve various cognitive functions as well 

      as prefrontal cortex functions will be clarified.

 

      (2)-2 Research on mental health

          The basic principles of entertainment that can relax the human mind and body and   

      improve mental QOL will be clarified.

 

      (2)-3 Research on social networks

          The basic principles of entertainment that can improve mutual relationships with others

      and cultivate intellectual connections will be clarified.