Central News Agency (CNA, Taichung, July 3) The 2026 Taichung Long-Term Care Taiwan-Japan Forum opened today, fostering exchange on topics such as long-term care policies, dementia co-existence, and smart assistive technologies. Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang stated that Long-Term Care 3.0 will focus on reducing disability, integrating systems with technology, and connecting with hospice care to build a comprehensive system. The "2026 Taichung Long-Term Care Taiwan-Japan Forum," organized by the Taichung City Health Bureau, commenced on July 3rd under the theme "Cross-Domain Integration to Ignite a New Era of Long-Term Care." The event invited experts and scholars from Japan and Taiwan to engage in in-depth international exchange on long-term care policies, dementia co-existence, and smart assistive technologies. The forum explored the similarities and differences in long-term care policies between Taiwan and Japan. Since the implementation of "Long-Term Care Insurance" in Japan in 2000, a mature system for aging in place and preventive medicine has been developed. Taiwan, under the new "Long-Term Care 3.0" system, is further expanding its dementia care network and increasing subsidies. In his address, Shih Chung-liang pointed out that government investment in resources for an aging society is rapidly expanding. Long-Term Care 3.0 will build a comprehensive system from three directions: reducing disability, integrating systems with technology, and connecting with hospice care. Taichung City Health Bureau Director Tseng Tzu-chan stated that Taichung's long-term care budget has grown from NT$3-4 billion to over NT$10 billion. Facing a vast volume of services and demand, numerous challenges are inevitable. The forum draws upon Japan's valuable experience in developing long-term care, offering profound insights and substantial assistance to Taiwan. Tomoko Oura, a researcher at the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology in Japan, shared her exper