The Ageing Issue of Japanese Society

Nowadays, the aging issue has become one of the important topics in many countries, especially in developed countries. International society has been concerned about this issue for a long time. The UN and ASEAN are two of the international organizations that have released concrete recommendations and implemented integrative actions to address this issue.

Japan is still struggling to deal with this issue because Japan is currently the only country with more than 25% of its population over 65 years old. This issue is very complex and not an easy task because it interlinks with many national factors and attributes, such as labor forces, national policies, social security systems, and economic growth.

There are four aspects that have connections with the aging issue in Japan. The main points are:

1. The unbalanced numbers between the working-age population (between 15-64 years old) and the population of childbirth give negative implications for economic growth,

2. The rural areas bear more impact of the aging issue than the urban areas,

3. Mostly female workers leave their jobs during the process of childbearing.

   
   

I believe these points are immense aspects of considering this issue. As mentioned above, the aging issue is similar to chains. Starting from the Japanese population, the increasing rate of the elder population and the low childbirth rate have created a gap in the labor market.

Figure 1. The healthcare expenditures in Japan are likely to increase as Japan’s baby-boom generation enters the ranks of the elderly en masse

With a fewer number of working-age workers in the labour market, it reduces the GDP rate. In the meantime, the Japanese Government also faces a high expenditure rate on healthcare programs at 10.9%, as the top tier ranking among OECD countries. By 2035, healthcare’s share of Japanese GDP will roughly double.

The impact of this situation is that the government may increase taxes, such as consumption tax, to reduce the increase in government’s expenses. As additional information, at the end of the Showa era, the consumption tax was 8%. Starting the new era of Japan in October 2019, as Reiwa, the consumption tax will increase to 10%.

This situation is becoming difficult when many female workers choose to leave their companies for bearing and raising their children. It happens mostly in private companies because of less flexibility and security in the policy of childbearing (Usman and Tomimoto, 2013). Cultural and social pressures have lowered career opportunities for female workers. It reduces their career promotion and reputation.

Photo 1. The gender imbalance has affected Japanese women’s careers. Motoko Rich (a woman in the photo) was one of the Japanese responses to the survey

I would say that the Japanese Government should promote supportive policies for female workers, not only in the workplace but also in the communities (including households). The role of the Japanese Government is immense in reducing the gender gap at various levels of society. Under the Abe Administration, the Japanese government tries to promote its policy called a “society in which all women shine.”

I would say that the Japanese Government should promote supportive policies for female workers, not only in the workplace but also in the communities (including households). The role of the Japanese Government is immense in reducing the gender gap at various levels of society. Under the Abe Administration, the Japanese government tries to promote its policy called a “society in which all women shine.”

By implementing the government’s policy on women’s rights, private companies can provide relaxing policies for female workers during pregnancy and after childbirth. They also will not face pressure in their communities to be working mothers. Expanding childcare facilities will also help females take care of their children and work in their companies at the same time.

Hiring care workers from foreign countries, like the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia, and empowering local communities (NGO & NPO) are also important aspects to fill the space of caring for the elder generation between middle-aged and older workers. Despite the difficult issue of entrance exams, especially the Japanese language exam, this job opportunity is very demanding among foreigners.

Photo 2. The number of certified care workers from other countries has been limited to around 240 because of the language barrier

Hiring foreign workers will increase the development of rural areas. Nowadays, the young generation tends to move from rural to urban areas. This gap, particularly widening in rural areas, can be covered by the presence of care workers and/or the local communities. Then, they can support the elder generation to live independently of their family and also benefit the economic growth and population rate in rural areas.

There are some opportunities that can be used to address this issue. I propose three points, as:

1. Integrating technology and robotic systems in nursing-care institutions to reduce the gap of health workers,

2. Encouraging Japanese society to be ready to accept a large influx of foreigners. It can start by reducing the language barrier (Usman and Tomimoto, 2013), and

3. Increasing child benefits in society. It can support families to pay for children’s expenditures on their basic needs, like education tuition and insurance fees.

For further information about this issue, please kindly check two studies, such as the Conceptual Diagram of the Three Pillars of WHO Active Aging and the ASEAN Strategic Framework on Social Welfare and Development. I am sure these studies are good examples to learn more deeply about this issue and how society can contribute to addressing it.

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• Usman, M., & Tomimoto, I. (2013). The Aging Population of Japan: Cause, Expected Challenges, and Few Possible Recommendations. Research Journal of Recent Sciences, 2(11), 1-4

• Featured Image belongs to the Times.