As societies age, eldercare faces mounting challenges that technology alone cannot solve. The article “Care-led innovation: the case of eldercare in France and in Japan”, co-authored by DIJ researcher Sébastien Lechevalier, Yuko Tamaki Welply, Christophe Humbert, Katsunori Shimohara, and Jean-Marie Robine, introduces the French–Japanese research project INNOVCARE, whose aim is to develop fundamental research on the heterogeneous and evolving needs of older adults and to incorporate it into the conception and development of these technologies, with the aim of promoting a form of innovation led by care. Comparing France and Japan and emphasizing dignity, relational autonomy, and quality of life, the study highlights how an ethics of care approach can bridge the gap between social needs and technological innovation, aiming to empower both those receiving care and their caregivers. The article is published open access in the International Journal of Care and Caring (April 2025, early view).