How Did Japanese Social Policies Effecton Well-being for Older Persons?
Takeo Ogawa, Ph.D.
Professor, Kumamoto Gakuen University

Well-being
in the Demographic Transition• Japan has exhausted the demographicbonus. And Japan should endure thedemographic onus over a long time.
• Japanese government is challenging toreform the whole support system for older
persons because of its social expenditures.
• In a decade from 2000 to 2010, how didJapanese social policies effect on the wellbeing for older persons?

Demographic Bonus & Onus
8070

Demographic Bonus

Demographic Onus

1970

2000605040302010019601980

1990

Dependency Ratio

2010

2020

Child Age Dependency Ratio

Old Age Dependency Ratio
Statistic Bureau, “Census Data”,＆ National Institute of Population and Social Security Research2030

Age Population Change in Japan
2000-2010

years
old
Statistic Bureau, “Census Data”,＆ National Institute of Population and Social Security Research

Aged Society Basic Law inJapan
Strategies from 2000 to 2010
Work & Income

Activation for Older Persons to be Employed.
Comprehensive Reform of Social Security and Tax

Health &Welfare

Start and Reform of Long-term Care Insurance System.
Health Care Reform.
Community-based Comprehensive Care System.

Learning &Involvement

Enhancing Social Participation.
New Public/Common Activities.

LifeEnvironment

Inclusive Design.
Housing Plan for Latter Life.

PromotingResearch

Promoting Age-friendly Industry
Preparing Super-aged Society

Japanese Social Policy:
2000-2010• 2000 Long-term Care Insurance System.
• 2004 Pension Reform. Law Concerning Stabilization of
Employment of Older Persons.
• 2005 Long-term Care Reform.
• 2006 Barrier Free Act.
• 2007 Healthy Japan 21.
• 2008 Medical Care System for the Older Old. Reformof Long-term Care & Social Welfare Service for theElderly.
• 2011 Assisted Living• 2012 Comprehensive Reform of Social Security & Tax

Methodology• Target:Cohort of ５0+ years old in 2000

• Social Policies:
Activation for 60+ persons to be EmployedLong-term Care for 65+ persons
Enhancing Social Participation for 60+ persons• Indices of Well-being:
Healthier, Workability, Time Usability, Satisfaction,
Worry/Anxiety and Integrity• Evaluation:
Cohort Analysis

Effect of the policy for advancing
continuous employment of older persons%100
9050-54 male in
2000
5.3

50-54 female
in 2000

55-59 male in
2000

55-59 female
in 2000

8070
60
50

0.4
7.1

95

40

92.676.966.2

30

50.9

20

57.1

338.6
24.7

100
2000

2010

2000

2010

2000

2010

Statistic Bureau, Census, 2000 & 2010.

2000

2010

Satisfaction of Income
50%

0.6

454

4035
30

50-59 male in 2000

50-59 female in 2000

25
20

38

38.6

2000

2010

44.4

46.5

2000

2010

15
105
0

Cabinet Office, “Public Opinion Survey Concerning People's Lifestyles ”,
2000 & 2010

Surviving Rate
100 %
90
80

60-64 in 1990

65-69 in 1990

70-74 in 1990

74-79 in 1990

570
7.8

60
50
40
30
20
1087.5

8

81.3
68.5

68.5
50.8

50.8

5.2

31.1
14.2

0

Statistic Bureau, “Census Data”, 1990, 2000 & 2010

Healthy Surviving Rate
100%
65-69 in 2001

70-74 in 2001

75-79 in 2001

903.1
80

4.9706022.6
504088.9
79.9

79.9
69.2

30

69.2

2027.7100
2001-06

2006-11

2001-06

2006-11

2001-06

2006-11

All-Japan Federation of National Health Insurance Organizations

Care-needed Rate
45%
10.6

4035302520

65-69 in 2001

70-74 in 2001
2.2

1528.71011.6

505.2

2.3
2001

2011

2001

2011

All-Japan Federation of National Health Insurance Organizations

Worry/Anxiety
about Latter Life & Health%Latter Life

60-69 male in2000

Health60-69 female
in 2000

60-69 male in2000

60-69 female
in 2000

Cabinet Office, “Public Opinion Survey Concerning People's Lifestyles ”
2000 & 2010

Volunteerism Rate%

60-64
male in 2001

60-64
female in 2001

Statistic Bureau, “Survey on Time Use & Leisure Activities”. 2001 &2011

Integrity (Fullness Sense of Life)
80 %
4.9

5.7

7060
50

60-69 in 2000
male

40
30

56.4

60.7

2000

2010

67.8

60-69 in 2000
female64.9

201002000

2010

Cabinet Office, “Public Opinion Survey Concerning People's Lifestyles ”,
2000 & 2010

Conclusion• Continuous Employment Policies mitigateda little bit of the decline for the maleboomer-generation during 2000-2010.
Then, they are satisfied about their income
much more than their antecedentgeneration. However, the female boomergeneration are lesser satisfied than theirantecedent generation.

• Health and Long-term Care Policies for70+ persons have accomplished its aim
during 2000-2010, excepting for 65-69.
Nevertheless, older persons worry about
health still.
• Volunteerism of 60-64 was promoted alittle bit for the young old.
• However, it cannot maintain theinvolvement level of their antecedents.

• Nevertheless, they do not worry about
their latter life.
• Also, they are enhancing the fullness
sense of life in a decade.
• Therefore, it can be said that the wellbeing of Japanese older persons isreaching at the saturation point now.

• The fullness sense of life of 60s isenhanced during 2000 - 2010.
• Therefore, it can be said that the wellbeing of Japanese older persons isreaching at the saturation point now.

Comment• Rather, the government should focus on
the working younger generations, which
are enduring their unstable life. It is areason why The General Principles
Concerning Measures for the Aging
Society in 2012 added one more basic
measure as the constructing infrastructure
for all generation to be included.