The challenge of the Super Aged Society in Tokyo- What is the meaning of “depopulating society”?
The total population in Japan started to decline in 2005. This turning
point has come earlier than our expectation. The demographic change has
forced us to reevaluate the basic premises of our social activities. A
decreasing population cannot sustain continuous economic growth. Somepessimistic analysts warn that economic performance will shrink due to thedecreasing labor force. The number of senior people will increase rapidly
and the social security system will collapse soon.
Now, we are facing a fundamental issue for our society. “What is the true
meaning of wealth?”, or “What kind of society are we aiming for?” We, as asociety, are being asked these questions in terms of in political, economic andsocial activities.
- Current situation of aging population and declining birthrates in Tokyo
The residential population of Tokyo is 12.6million, which is about 10% of thetotal population in Japan.
In 2005, the birthrate in Tokyo was 1.00 and was the lowest rate in Japan,
whose national birthrate was 1.26. The actual number of births in 2005
was 96,542. This was less than 50% of the number of babies born in 1965
during the second baby boom. This means that we are going to be sufferingfrom a labor force shortage in the future.
The population of the elderly, aged 65 or over, in Tokyo was approximately
2.3 million by the end of 2005, which accounts for about 18% (aging rate) of
the total population, compared with 20.1% nation wide.
The characteristic problems of Tokyo’s aging society are a) few homes withthree generations living together, and b) a large, single elderly population.
Adding to these problems, community relationships have weakened in urban
areas. As a result of these combined issues, it is urgent for our society tosupport senior citizens and parents.

- Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Welfare Plan for Elderly
In 2000, the Long-term Care Insurance system was established in order to
respond to society’s major concern about aging, namely the care problem,
whereby citizens can be assured that they will receive care and be supported
by society as a whole. This system allows elderly people to use services oftheir choice and provide necessary welfare services and health and medicalcare services in a comprehensive and unified manner to persons requiringlong-term care.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government formulated “Health and Welfare Planfor Elderly” to develop wide-ranging plans to cover welfare, health care andmedical care for seniors.
The fundamental principles of this plan are:
1) Realization of a Society which supports the independence and dignity ofseniors,
2) Extending an assured sense of security to the next generation
Along with the principles, TMG has been implementing various andwide-ranging measures:
1) Promote Prevention of Physical Deterioration and Encourage HealthDevelopment
2) Secure Community Life of Seniors
3) Maintain the Infrastructure and Improve Quality of Long-term CareServices
4) Establish a Practical and Accessible Long-term Care Insurance System
5) Promote Social Participation by seniors.
We are heading into a super-aging society, which has never been
experienced before in the world. In 10 years, one in four residents of Tokyo,
about 3 million people, will be 65 years or older.
TMG will promote senior citizens to play a highly active role in societyutilizing their expertise and vigor. The goal is to change the image of seniorcitizens from people who need support to people who invigorate society.
- Tokyo will experience the super aged society ahead of other countries. We
will establish an advanced society invigorated by the power of senior citizens.
Our experiences will hopefully contribute greatly to other Asian cities, inwhich the problem of an aging society is proceeding rapidly.