Knowledge Translation into Policy: Lessons from Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study

Background

Although the need to translate research into policy is well-known, few projects sustain this. The Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (JAGES) has served as a successful model since 2003. In 2018, the WHO highlighted JAGES, which builds a scientific foundation for health promoting policies for older adults in Japan, the world’s most rapidly aging society. JAGES has established an incorporated association, accumulating experience in knowledge translation (KT). This study identifies key conditions for effective KT by analyzing JAGES initiatives.

Methods

We described JAGES initiatives and analyzed key factors for effective KT.

Results

In 2018, researchers from various universities established JAGES as an incorporated association and secure funding through joint research agreements with municipalities. In 2025, with 74 municipalities, JAGES obtained responses from more than 220,000 older adults. Since 2004, JAGES has collaborated with 270 municipalities through eight triennial surveys, conducting the “Long-Term Care Prevention and Daily Life Area Needs Survey” to inform municipal long-term care insurance plans. This has created a repeated cross-sectional database of over 1.2 million older adults. By linking this with municipal long-term care certification data, JAGES also developed longitudinal databases.

Conclusions

KT requires more than traditional epidemiological research. Our findings suggest key conditions needed for successful KT: 1. A strong commitment of leading researchers to knowledge translation. 2. In the Plan stage, understanding municipal challenges through joint meetings, not just one-way information. 3. In the Plan & Do stage, providing hands-on support for municipalities via community-based participatory research. 4. In the Check stage, conducting multifaceted program evaluations. 5. In the Act stage, disseminating findings via press releases, media, and workshops etc., in addition to academic papers.

Key messages

• Sustained knowledge translation is achieved through long-term collaboration with municipalities, large-scale data infrastructure, and integration of research into policy cycles.

• Effective knowledge translation requires researcher commitment, co-creation with stakeholders, hands-on support, multifaceted evaluation, and active dissemination beyond academia.