Foreword
PART I Demographic Aspects of Population Ageing in Japan (Shigemi KONO)
Introduction
1. Demography and Population Ageing in Japan
2. Population Ageing and Changes in the Family and Household
Summary and Discussion
PART II Aging in Sub-national Population (Atsushi OTOMO)
1. Population Aging in Different Prefectures
2. Population Aging in Different Municipalitions
3. Elderly Households in Different Prefectures
4. Migration and Population Aging
5. Future Trends of Population Aging in Sub-national Areas of Japan
PART III The Impact of Population Aging on the Socioeconomic System in Japan (Naohiro OGAWA)
Introduction
1. Aging Labor Force and Changing Social Security Programs
2. Japan's Future Aging Process and Its Uniqueness
3. A Macroeconomic Scenario： Limits to the Support System for the Aged
4. Policy Options Facing Japan
PART IV Social Security, Health Care, and Social Services for the Elderly in Japan (Daisaku MAEDA)
Introduction
1. Brief History of the Societal Efforts for the Welfare of the Elderly in Japan before Meiji Restoration
2. The Present Japanese Social Security Programs, Health Care, and Social Services for the Elderly
Epilogue
The Outline of the New Public Long-term Care Insurance Program
APPENDIX A. General Principles Concerning Measures for the Aging Society
B. Chronology of Aging Japan
Part 1 Objectives and Basic Concepts
1. Objectives in Drawing Up General Principles
2. Basic Concepts
(1) Emphasis on the independence, participation and choices of the elderly
(2) Systematic implementation of measures throughout people's lives
(3) Respect for regional autonomy
(4) Effective implementation of the measures
(5) Cooperation among the administrative bodies concerned
(6) Use of technology concerning medical care, welfare, information and communication
Part 2 Basic Measures by Sector
1. Working and Income
(1) Securing employment and working opportunities for the elderly
a. Promoting continuous employment until the age of 65
b. Securing diverse employment and working opportunities
(2) Helping working people exhibit their abilities throughout their lives
a. Ability development over long professional careers
b. Realizing a comfortable vocational life
c. Helping women exhibit their abilities in terms of employment and working
d. Promoting measures to help working people cope with both professional careers and family life
e. Creating an environment where diverse ways of working are available
(3) Stable operation of the public pension systems
(4) Support for securing incomes for the elderly through self-help
a. Stable operation of corporate pension system
b. Improving retirement allowance systems reflecting the needs of the aging society
c. Promoting asset accumulation, etc. for the elderly
2. Health and Welfare
(1) Comprehensive promotion of health improvement
a. Promoting lifelong health improvement
b. Developing health improvement facilities
(2) Enhancing health, medical and welfare services
a. Improving regional systems to provide comprehensive services
b. Improving in-home services
c. Improving facility services
d. Implementing comprehensive support measures for the independence of the elderly who need assistance
e. Implementing comprehensive measures for senile dementia
(3) Implementing comprehensive support measures to improve long-term care foundations
a. Promoting measures to train and secure staff to care for the elderly
b. Popularizing technical aids
c. Comprehensive development of user-friendly service provision systems
(4) Service costs
a. Medical expenses
b. Securing long-term care expenses through social solidarity
(5) Utilizing private service providers
(6) Promoting comprehensive measures to support child care
3. Learning and Social Involvement
(1) Creating a lifelong learning system
a. Improving systems and foundations to promote lifelong learning
b. Ensuring diverse learning opportunities at school
c. Providing diverse learning opportunities
d. Supporting working people's learning activities
(2) Promoting social involvement
a. Promoting involvement of the elderly in social activities
b. Improving the basis of volunteer activities
4. Living Environment
(1) Ensuring stable and comfortable housing
a. Promoting the provision of high-quality houses
b. Diversifying housing styles
c. Developing houses for self-support and care
(2) Community development for the elderly
(3) Protecting the elderly from traffic accidents, crimes and disasters
(4) Developing comfortable and energized living environments
5. Promoting Research
(1) Promoting a variety of research activities
a. Research into diseases peculiar to the elderly
b. Research and development of technical aids
c. Research and development of safe and easy-to-use household articles
d. Research and development of communication technology
(2) Improving the basis of research activities
a. Improving systems to facilitate research activities
b. Personnel development
Part 3 To Promote Measures for the Aging Society
1. Important Points in Promoting Measures for the Aging Society
2. Systems to Promote Measure for the Aging Society
3. Revision of the General Principles
