Cloud Doctor Utilized in Trial Program for Online Medical Consultations for the Elderly in Tochigi Prefecture's Nasu Region as Part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's Regional Living Sphere Formation Leading Project (Survey Operations)
Cloud Doctor's online medical consultation platform was used in a trial program for elderly individuals in the Nasu region, supported by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. This initiative aimed to verify the practicality and usability of online consultations in rural areas facing challenges due to driver's license cancellations and transportation difficulties for medical appointments.
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- 📰 Published: April 15, 2026 at 19:00
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Cloud Doctor Inc. (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Osaka; CEO: Takayuki Akamatsu; hereinafter "the Company") operates the online medical consultation platform "Cloud Doctor," which connects users with doctors 24/7/365 in as little as 3 minutes. We are pleased to announce that "Cloud Doctor" was utilized in a trial program conducted as part of the leading initiatives by a public-private partnership regional living sphere platform, including the Nasucon Valley Council General Incorporated Association, under the "Regional Living Sphere Formation Leading Project (Survey Operations)" supported by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. This trial program targeted elderly individuals aged 84 who had surrendered their driver's licenses, verifying the practicality, acceptance, and usability of online medical consultations in rural areas.
**Background: 'Driver's License Cancellation' and 'Commuting Difficulties' in Rural Areas**
In rural areas experiencing population decline and an aging society, concerns are rising about the deterioration and loss of essential living service provision functions, making their maintenance an urgent task. The "Regional Living Sphere Formation Leading Project (Survey Operations)," supported by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, aims to foster regional management entities composed of diverse stakeholders by supporting leading initiatives by public-private partnership platforms for the formation of "regional living spheres" where necessary daily services are continuously provided, thereby strongly promoting the construction of self-sustaining businesses for the future.
In the Nasu region of Tochigi Prefecture, while more elderly individuals are returning their driver's licenses, securing transportation for medical appointments has become difficult, posing challenges such as the burden of transportation for family members and reduced attendance at medical check-ups.
Against this backdrop, "Cloud Doctor" was used as a tool to deliver the online consultation system, developed in urban areas, to elderly residents in rural areas through a trial program for elderly welfare conducted by the public-private partnership regional living sphere platform (Secretariat: Nasucon Valley Council General Incorporated Association), and the suitability of online medical consultations was verified.
**Trial Program Overview**
■ Implementation Date: Monday, January 26, 2026
■ Implementation Location: Otawara City, Tochigi Prefecture (within the facility of Engao General Incorporated Association)
■ Target Participants: An 84-year-old male requiring monthly medical visits due to chronic illness (driver's license already returned)
■ Verification Content:
* Initial setup such as account creation for Cloud Doctor and My Number Card integration, with staff support.
* Online consultation by a partner physician.
* Online prescription guidance by a partner pharmacist.
* Post-experience monitor interviews.
■ Verification Points:
* Can elderly individuals use the online medical consultation service with staff support?
* Is there acceptance of online medical consultations in depopulated areas?
* What is the usability of the service for the elderly?
**CEO Comments**
Takayuki Akamatsu, CEO, Cloud Doctor Inc.
"Cloud Doctor operates under the slogan 'Optimal Medical Care Instantly,' providing 24/7 online medical consultations, primarily in urban areas. For us, it is of great significance that elderly residents in rural areas were able to actually use our service through the trial program in the 'Regional Living Sphere Formation Leading Project (Survey Operations).' What became apparent through this demonstration is the importance of 'human support' that technology alone cannot solve. We aim for a society where everyone can connect to medical care anytime by collaborating with organizations that support local residents."
**What is Cloud Doctor?**
"See a doctor immediately when you feel unwell" as a daily routine.
Cloud Doctor is an online medical consultation platform that allows users to consult with doctors, receive diagnoses, and pick up prescriptions via their smartphone, anytime, anywhere, in as little as 3 minutes, based on the concept of "no waiting, no appointments, connect in just 3 minutes."
By reducing the burden of commuting and enabling specialized medical consultations from home or work, it transforms access to healthcare into a more everyday experience.
We are working towards a future where people can say, "First, online consultation before going to the hospital," striving to realize a society where anyone can immediately connect to optimal medical care without hesitation when in need.
**Company Profile**
Cloud Doctor Inc.
Location: 12F, Nomura Real Estate Nishi-Umeda Building, 2-1-22 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-0001, Japan
Establishment: May 31, 2024
Representative: Takayuki Akamatsu, CEO
Business: Online Medical Consultation Platform
Keywords:
**Background: 'Driver's License Cancellation' and 'Commuting Difficulties' in Rural Areas**
In rural areas experiencing population decline and an aging society, concerns are rising about the deterioration and loss of essential living service provision functions, making their maintenance an urgent task. The "Regional Living Sphere Formation Leading Project (Survey Operations)," supported by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, aims to foster regional management entities composed of diverse stakeholders by supporting leading initiatives by public-private partnership platforms for the formation of "regional living spheres" where necessary daily services are continuously provided, thereby strongly promoting the construction of self-sustaining businesses for the future.
In the Nasu region of Tochigi Prefecture, while more elderly individuals are returning their driver's licenses, securing transportation for medical appointments has become difficult, posing challenges such as the burden of transportation for family members and reduced attendance at medical check-ups.
Against this backdrop, "Cloud Doctor" was used as a tool to deliver the online consultation system, developed in urban areas, to elderly residents in rural areas through a trial program for elderly welfare conducted by the public-private partnership regional living sphere platform (Secretariat: Nasucon Valley Council General Incorporated Association), and the suitability of online medical consultations was verified.
**Trial Program Overview**
■ Implementation Date: Monday, January 26, 2026
■ Implementation Location: Otawara City, Tochigi Prefecture (within the facility of Engao General Incorporated Association)
■ Target Participants: An 84-year-old male requiring monthly medical visits due to chronic illness (driver's license already returned)
■ Verification Content:
* Initial setup such as account creation for Cloud Doctor and My Number Card integration, with staff support.
* Online consultation by a partner physician.
* Online prescription guidance by a partner pharmacist.
* Post-experience monitor interviews.
■ Verification Points:
* Can elderly individuals use the online medical consultation service with staff support?
* Is there acceptance of online medical consultations in depopulated areas?
* What is the usability of the service for the elderly?
**CEO Comments**
Takayuki Akamatsu, CEO, Cloud Doctor Inc.
"Cloud Doctor operates under the slogan 'Optimal Medical Care Instantly,' providing 24/7 online medical consultations, primarily in urban areas. For us, it is of great significance that elderly residents in rural areas were able to actually use our service through the trial program in the 'Regional Living Sphere Formation Leading Project (Survey Operations).' What became apparent through this demonstration is the importance of 'human support' that technology alone cannot solve. We aim for a society where everyone can connect to medical care anytime by collaborating with organizations that support local residents."
**What is Cloud Doctor?**
"See a doctor immediately when you feel unwell" as a daily routine.
Cloud Doctor is an online medical consultation platform that allows users to consult with doctors, receive diagnoses, and pick up prescriptions via their smartphone, anytime, anywhere, in as little as 3 minutes, based on the concept of "no waiting, no appointments, connect in just 3 minutes."
By reducing the burden of commuting and enabling specialized medical consultations from home or work, it transforms access to healthcare into a more everyday experience.
We are working towards a future where people can say, "First, online consultation before going to the hospital," striving to realize a society where anyone can immediately connect to optimal medical care without hesitation when in need.
**Company Profile**
Cloud Doctor Inc.
Location: 12F, Nomura Real Estate Nishi-Umeda Building, 2-1-22 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-0001, Japan
Establishment: May 31, 2024
Representative: Takayuki Akamatsu, CEO
Business: Online Medical Consultation Platform
Keywords: