Society in which older people can actively contribute must be achieved

Respect for the Aged Day falls on the third Monday in September. It is hoped that a society will be created in which people can undertake various challenges in keeping with their wishes and physical strength, regardless of age.

According to the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry and other sources, the number of people aged 65 or older has hit a record high of 36.17 million in Japan. They account for 29% of the nation’s population. The number of people aged 100 or older has exceeded 80,000 for the first time. It is wonderful that Japan has some of the greatest longevity in the world.

Despite being 103 years old, Hisao Oda of Kikugawa, Shizuoka Prefecture, is a “poster grandpa” who shows up almost every day at a gas station that his son runs near his home. Oda skillfully makes tea and enjoys chatting with local customers.

Even aged over 100, some people give lessons on how to make handmade udon noodles, while others teach the traditional Japanese tea ceremony or watch over children.

If more elderly people with a wealth of experience and knowledge take part in society, they will help revitalize local communities. There are many things that younger generations can learn and much encouragement they can receive from elderly people.

To further boost the number of areas where people can play an active role, it will likely be necessary to review the attitude that classifies people aged 65 or over as elderly and regards them as supported by society.

This age classification in population statistics is said to be attributed to a report released by the United Nations in the mid-1950s, in which people aged 65 or older were categorized as elderly.

However, the situation at that time was different from today, when the living environment has been improved and medical care has advanced. The average life expectancy of Japanese men has jumped from 64 to 81, and that of Japanese women from 68 to 88.

It was reasonable for the government to point out in its 2018 Guideline of Measures for Aging Society that the conventional practice of classifying people over 65 as “older people” is no longer realistic. The government also set a goal of extending people’s healthy life span, the years in which people can live their daily lives without problems.

It is essential to create opportunities for people to play an active role regardless of age, while promoting efforts for good health at the same time. Quite a few people cannot find a job because of the “age barrier,” even though they are motivated to work.

In 2018, the Yamato city government in Kanagawa Prefecture declared itself as a “city that does not call people in their 70s elderly.” It has strived to create places for people of a certain age through such means as launching programs for its residents in which many senior people work as instructors and talk about their hobbies and former jobs. Such opportunities can help provide a sense of purpose.

As people age, differences in health and economic conditions widen among individuals. It is important for the central and local governments to provide appropriate support based on the actual situation.

What can be done to make people’s later years more productive? This must be considered anew by all of society.