Abstract: We discusses our possible role as engineers in dealing with the various problems of elderly people and also the weak in their everyday life amid the changing society due to lengthening life-spans and declining birthrates. For this purpose, we describe the conditions surrounding such people that they must face up to and interact with. From several major social perspectives, what sort of welfare we intend to realize, we emphasize the need of closely cooperative relationships in everyday life. Under the evaluation of the past contribution of welfare engineering with their limits and vulnerability, our approach is discussed from a different policy with mainly securing the time and space for people in need, in which relating systems based on high-tech and multiple functions do not necessarily lead to their widespread use. At the same time, we mention the importance of wide-area networks, featuring public benefits, easy replacement of old ones and convenience, in which simple technology is marked by safety, reliability and flexibility. The internet is better used on policies of management including configuration for the cooperation because of its overall convenience, including favorable economics and easy-to-handle equipment. We thereby present opinions from technical viewpoints that have been derived from our wrestling with comprehensive engineering issues related to developing and practical utilization of basic functions for the beneficiaries. Although our argument and views cover some, not all, pertinent aspects, we will try to illustrate and advocate the roles and possibilities that we, the engineers, can play in the future, from the viewpoint of desirable progress in information and communications systems, which can contribute to welfare. Finally, we will mention the intended build-up of future welfare culture based on such technology.

Brief Biography of the Speaker:
Professor Hidetoshi Wakamatsu born on 15.Nov.1946, received his B.E. and M.E. degrees from Yokohama National University in 1970 and 1972, respectively. He received his Dr. of Eng. degree in 1984 from the University of Tokyo. Academic Positions: He was a research Associate at the Institute for Medical and Dental Engineering from 1972-1986, Tokyo Medical and Dental University. From 1973-1974 he was a Visiting Research Associate, Institute for Biocybernetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Erlangen-Nuernberg, Germany. From 1986-1988 he was an Associate Professor at Ashikaga Institute of Technology, Associate professor 1988-1991, Professor 1991-1992 at Fukui University and Professor, Faculty of Medicine in 1992, Professor, Graduate School of Health Care Sciences in 2001, Tokyo Medical and Dental University. In 1994 a visiting professor, Oregon State University and so on. From 2006 a general chair of Asia Pacific Conference on Control and Measurement.