“After retirement, I had nothing to do.. so I only did my hobby and became lazy. Now I have a job, I have to come on time. I am busy doing something. This schedule is very good for me, without this I would be idle. ” – Japanese Elderly Films, Journeyman Productions
bloomberg.com
With the largest aging population to date, Japan now has a quarter of the population being over the age of 65. The life expectancy of Japanese people is roughly 83 years old. By 2025, Japan will need to acquire 1 million more nurses in order to keep up with the elderly demand. Additionally, according to Hidenori Sakanaka, executive director at Japan Immigration Policy Institute, “Japan needs 10 million immigrants over the next 50 years and we need to accept them as new members of our society.” There is a large need for immigrants in order to fill these massive gaps in population, especially after this baby-boom generation
With the growing number of senior citizens in Japan, a large strain is being placed on the economy. According to Journeyman Films, the elderly tend to retire around 65 years old, but usually have about 10 years of work left in them. Senior Citizens in Japan have been known to stay active and healthy, which some think is an aspect to take advantage of. By creating jobs for the elderly, economic strain can be relieved and citizens will have an outlet for physical activity and purpose. The following topics help us understand how technology is aiding this increase and the global immigrants Japan needs.
BBC: Who will take care of the elderly?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FH0GNdjvWXQ