http://www.kunikoinoguchi.jp
EASP
October 20-21, 2007
University of Tokyo
Keynote Speech
A Geriatric Peace:
Democracy and Demography in the 21st Century
Kuniko INOGUCHI, Ph.D.
Member, House of Representatives of Japan
Member, Science Council of Japan
Former Minister of State for Gender Equality and Social Affairs
Excellencies, Distinguished Scholars, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my great pleasure and honor to address this distinguished audience
this morning. I would like to wholeheartedly congratulate the ableorganizers of this thought-provoking symposium on East Asia and socialpolicy.
Professor Takegawa pioneers social policy study andcomparative study in Japan, and it is my special honor to participate in
the symposium on his behalf. It is also my great honor to speak in theattendance of distinguished representatives with whom I had the honor toexchange views during my ministerial visit to the Republic of Korea in2006. As former and first ever exclusive Japanese Minister of State on
Gender Equality and Social Affairs, I am most delighted to share withyou some of my thoughts on the importance of mainstreaming social
policies, and how that could advance peace and security in East Asia.
Despite being the world’s second-largest economy, Japan is placed 42ndout of 75 countries when ranked by the proportion of women active inpolitical and economic decision-making. Demographically, we face the1challenges of a shrinking, aging society. Clearly we must promote a
better work-life balance and provide enhanced childcare services so that
men and women can participate equally in public, private, as well asfamily spheres.
Contrary to popular arguments, there is a strong positive correlation
between women’s participation in the labor force and the total fertility
rate of a society. A greater presence of women in the workforce
generates stronger incentives for policies, products, and services that
support families with children. Also at issue in Japan are the long hours
and inflexible working practices that limit the amount of time men canspend on household chores and childcare.
In 2006, I chaired the East Asia Gender Equality Ministerial Meeting, thefirst conference of its kind to discuss gender equality and theempowerment of women in this region. Despite differences in levels ofeconomic development and cultural, religious, and political contexts, the16 governments and 2 international organizations in attendance achievedconsensus on the need to overcome the feminization of poverty andstereotypical gender roles. The means agreed upon were to invigorate
national machineries and local focal points, to build capacities for thecollection and interpretation of gender statistics, and to promote
gender-sensitive budgeting to bring these perspectives into macro- andmicroeconomic frameworks.
Population aging and diversity issues carry important implications forworld peace. First, a shrinking workforce provides the opportunity toimport labor. If managed prudently, this fosters interdependence andcross-cultural sensitivity. Second, graying democracies are more likely
to favor diplomatic solutions over war—not only because of theirmaturity, but also because the fiscal costs of aging effectively preclude
defense budget increases. Third, a declining and aging populationcompels Japan to rethink its modern growth paradigm of a male
mainstream workforce. Women with children, senior citizens, and2

handicapped persons must be given due attention as an integral part ofdynamic economic and social development. A growth paradigm with aphilosophy of inclusion and balance could be argued to be more likely tocorrelate with multilateral diplomatic efforts than other external options.
These multifaceted impacts of graying in democracies could beconceptualized as ‘geriatric peace’.
Today we are in need of strong political leadership and effective
academic breakthroughs to lead our societies toward a new level ofsocial and diplomatic development. To provide solutions for emerging
and persistent local, domestic, regional, and global challenges, given
their magnitude, political leadership at all levels—international, regional,
national, and local—needs to be enhanced and supported by the expertiseand knowledge of civil and academic societies. Governments today
have come under increasing pressure to address and respond to a wide
range of complex global institutions. The power of knowledge has
become increasingly more important, and this is why civil society,including scholars, researchers, think-tanks, non-profit organizations,media, and all interested citizens, are important partners in thedecision-making process. Governments, in order to be effective andpowerful, will find a greater incentive to reach out to civil society tomake use of knowledge, including local knowledge that belongs to thepeople.

Contact information: Kuniko INOGUCHI, Ph.D.
Room 541, First Members’ Offices, House of Representatives
Phone +813-3508-7271 Fax +813-3508-3130

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