The fascination with smartphones extends beyond the younger generation, as evidenced by a group of older individuals in Tokyo who are still grappling with the intricacies of their devices. For these users, navigating the digital landscape is not as instinctual as it may seem.
“The barrage of applications is overwhelming,” remarks one participant. Another expresses concern, saying, “How can I be sure that my call has actually ended?” These sentiments are echoed among a group consisting of four women and one man who are attending an introductory smartphone workshop at a community center for seniors located in the Nerima district, situated in the north-western suburbs of the Japanese capital.
Leading the class is Yasushi Nishioka, a retired IT professional who offers a patient and understanding approach to the complexities of smartphones. He reassures the attendees, saying, “There’s no need to memorize everything right away. It’s all about getting comfortable with holding the device.”
The class participants, primarily in their 70s, express feelings of intimidation towards their devices—three iPhones and two Android phones. However, they are motivated to embrace technology rather than retreat into analogue isolation, especially following the discontinuation of Japan’s 3G network.
The phase-out of older telecommunications networks has gradually affected the country. By 2012, the 2G network was completely decommissioned, and by 2022, the 3G service was no longer available from au, a major carrier, with SoftBank set to follow in 2024. NTT Docomo was the last to discontinue 3G services at the end of March, citing the need to retire outdated infrastructure to conserve energy.
Though some older flip phones can still connect to 4G networks, the shutdown has impacted around half a million users and more than 400 phone models, in addition to various systems that relied on 3G for operations, such as early car navigation devices, cashless payment vending machines, and unattended parking facilities, according to Mainichi Shimbun.
Telecommunications providers are assisting subscribers—comprising both those reluctant to part with their flip phones and those apprehensive about smartphones—by offering educational sessions. These classes cover topics such as photography, video recording, and safe online shopping.
Without adapting to smartphones, which exclusively operate on 4G and 5G, those loyal to flip phones will find themselves without voice calling and email capabilities, resulting in contract cancellations and loss of phone numbers.
In Japan, garakei phones—named for their exclusive availability in the domestic market—were once widespread before the introduction of the first iPhone in 2008.
During the two-hour session, Nishioka introduces his students to essential functions: turning their phones off and on, adjusting volume, and mastering scrolling techniques. He also covers popular subjects such as cashless transactions, QR codes, health monitoring applications, and weather forecasts.
“If you limit your phone usage to basic tasks, you’ll quickly lose interest,” he warns, promising that the next class will explore entertainment options, social media, and content creation.
Security is a pressing concern for all participants, particularly in Japan, where a significant elderly population is frequently targeted by online scams. Nishioka advises, “If you’re uncertain about a message or call, it’s best to ignore it,” and shares a useful application that can help filter out dubious contacts.
One class member, Hiroko Kanda, shares her initial confusion upon purchasing her smartphone: “I turned it on and was overwhelmed by the number of icons. It’s taking some time for me to adjust.”
Another participant, who wishes to remain anonymous, describes her hesitant transition to a smartphone just three months prior. “I lacked the confidence to switch,” she admits, her old flip phone lying beside her new iPhone. “I still use my garakei on 4G, but I really enjoy the weather and travel planning applications on my new device.”
Similar motivations for embracing smartphones are found across generations, including booking tickets for performances, joining messaging groups, studying foreign languages, and planning trips.
Nishioka concludes by highlighting a common frustration that unifies both novice and seasoned users: “One of the biggest challenges people face with smartphones, which often leads to abandonment, is managing passwords.”
