‘How do I end a call?’: the elderly Japanese people determined to master smartphones

The Guardian reports on elderly Japanese people attending smartphone training classes to adapt to a major technological transition: the shutdown of Japan's 3G networks by telecom carriers (completed by NTT Docomo in March 2024) is forcing an estimated half million flip-phone users to migrate to smartphones or lose service. The article centers on a beginner class in Tokyo led by Yasushi Nishioka, a retired programmer, where participants in their 70s work through basic functions, security concerns, and practical applications like health trackers and weather apps, with instructors noting that password management frustrates users across all age groups. The reporting is bylined and includes direct quotes from named participants and instructors, specific timelines for network shutdowns, and corroborating figures (half million affected users, 400+ phone models). The independent search results indicate this reflects a broader global pattern of digital adaptation challenges among older populations, though the search results focus primarily on younger people's "attention activism" rather than elderly digital inclusion, limiting direct corroboration of the Japanese-specific narrative. Watch for ongoing adoption rates among Japan's large over-65 population and whether telecom-sponsored training programs expand or become mandated as part of service transitions.