|
Current Issue
|
|
Archive Issues
|
|
Extra
|
|
|
Volume 13, Issue #1. Published on November 3, 2004
|
|
|
Long Life ... A Problem?
|
|
Yumi Otsuka
|
The Japanese Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry issued a recent report stating an estimated 24.8 million men and women in Japan
are over the age of 65, an increase of about 550,000 compared to last year's figures.
Men and women over the age of 65 account for nearly 20 percent of Japan’s population,
an increase of over half a million people compared to last year's statistics.
These new figures are a new record in modern Japan, a 0.5 percent, or about 530,000, increase in those over the age of 74.
If current trends continue, over 25 percent of Japan's population will consist of people 65 years of age or older by 2014.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare announced that the number of people over the age of 100 is expected to be 23,000
or more, surpassing last year's figures by 2,000, a record in Japan.
The government has issued a list of centenarians ever year since 1963.
About 85 percent of Japan’s listed centenarians are women, with the oldest at 114 years old.
Improvements in health care and living standards have played a large role in the increasing longevity of Japan’s citizens.
Decreasing birthrates, however, appear to play an even greater role in the increase of the elderly.
The birthrate in Japan during 2003 was approximately 1.29 children per woman.
However, an estimated birthrate of 2.07 children per woman is thought to be necessary for Japan to maintain a stable, long-term population.
Although increased longevity is a testament to higher standards of living, the increasing numbers of elderly will have a negative effect on Japan’s economy, namely its retirement pensions.
Changes were implemented in Japan’s national pension system by its Social Insurance Agency, raising the eligibility age to receive pensions from 60 to 65 years old with no guarantees for full pension coverage.
Workers ranging from 40 to 60 years old are facing a serious dilemma.
As their retirement age crawls closer, they discover reduced prospects in receiving a pension.
Today, it is common to hear, “No job after 55 and no money until 65. How can I live for 10 years in such conditions?”
While it is good news that the number of long-lived men and women are increasing,
the impact of low birthrates in tandem with recent population trends has posed a serious problem.
How all of this will affect the economy and society of Japan in the future is something to keep in mind.
|
|
|
|
|
