Naver Cloud Signs Agreement with Izumo City, Japan
Introducing 'Clova Care Call,' an AI-Based Well-Being Call Service
Full-Scale Service to Launch in the First Half of Next Year
On June 23, Naver Cloud announced that it had signed a business agreement with Izumo City, located in Shimane Prefecture, Japan, to introduce the artificial intelligence (AI) care call service 'Clova Care Call.'
This collaboration was established to address the care gap in Japanese local communities facing super-aging, by leveraging AI technology. Naver Cloud explained that the partnership also carries symbolic significance, as it aims to jointly resolve social issues through Korean AI technology in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan.
Naver Cloud has signed a business agreement with Izumo City, Japan, to introduce 'Clova Care Call.' Kim Yuwon, CEO of Naver Cloud, Toshiyuki Iiizuka, Mayor of Izumo, and Eiji Watanabe, Chairman of the Izumo City Council of Social Welfare, are taking a commemorative photo. (From left) Provided by Naver Cloud
Izumo City is a super-aged city, with approximately 30% of its total population aged 65 or older, and is experiencing a shortage of support personnel compared to the growing demand for care. Through this partnership, Izumo City plans to utilize Naver Cloud's AI technology and operational experience to establish an efficient care system.
Clova Care Call is a service in which AI makes phone calls to check in on elderly people living alone and single-person middle-aged households in need of care. The service has already been adopted by more than half of the local governments in Korea. The conversational AI encourages emotional connection through personalized interactions, and if any abnormal signs are detected during the call, the system can immediately connect with relevant organizations such as welfare workers or hospitals to respond to crisis situations.
The two parties began their first discussions in October last year and operated a pilot service in some areas of Izumo City. As the effectiveness of the service and user feedback were confirmed to be positive, they decided to proceed with a full-scale rollout. After six months of system enhancement, both sides plan to expand the service citywide in Izumo by the first half of next year.
Chae Sunjoo, Head of Strategic Business at Naver, stated, "We proposed the Clova Care Call service, which we launched in 2021 to address Korea's super-aging issue, to Japan with the intention that both countries, facing similar challenges of an aging society, could seek solutions together." She added, "AI must now evolve beyond technological competition to become a practical tool for solving social problems, and Naver will do its utmost to fulfill its role as a responsible technology partner in making this a reality."
Meanwhile, Naver Cloud will participate in the '2025 Osaka·Kansai Expo' in Osaka, Japan, from July 9 to 11, where it plans to showcase an exhibition themed around 'Clova Care Call.'
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