[Senior Trend] Infrastructure for the 100-Year Life Learned from Japan③

According to Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, there were 92,139 elderly people aged over 100 in 2023. The proportion of seniors aged 80 and above in the population also exceeded 10%. The population aged 75 and older approached 20 million, reaching an all-time high, and the population aged 65 and above surpassed 36 million. This aging trend had been anticipated since the 1970s, and Japan became an aged society (with 14% of the population aged 65 or older) in 1994. It took 36 years to enter a super-aged society (with 20% of the population aged 65 or older) in the mid-2000s.

During this business trip to Tokyo, I encountered issues related to death up close. It started when I saw an advertisement for columbariums in the subway. In the mailboxes of accommodations in ordinary residential areas?not tourist spots?I found leaflets about 'writing a will.' Even in Minato Ward, known as one of the three wealthiest neighborhoods where I had business meetings, I repeatedly saw cemeteries. Checking on Google Maps, I found that there were over 100 communal cemeteries (columbariums, "parks of souls") clustered nearby. Unlike in Korea, communal cemeteries in Japan are not considered scary or ominous. Rather, they are places where ancestral spirits who always watch over people reside, and columbariums in urban areas are symbols of wealth where only truly affluent people can be buried. For the latest columbariums located in central Tokyo, the cost approaches 20 million Korean won. However, there was a separate problem. According to the 'Survey on Cemetery Administration' announced by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications in 2023, 58.2% of graves and columbarium facilities in 765 municipalities were 'unclaimed graves' without family or relatives. Due to bereavement, nuclear families, and longevity, the number of people living alone has increased, and there is no one to conduct funerals or manage the graves.

In response, some municipalities have started services that organize the belongings of seniors living alone after their death and even handle death notifications on their behalf. This administrative welfare system is called 'ending support.' Residents aged 65 or older, without children, and with a deposit of 500,000 yen or more in the respective municipality are eligible to apply. Depending on conditions, additional costs may apply, but once contracted with the municipality, a responsible public official calls once a month to check on their well-being and visits their home once every six months. If the contract holder dies, the deposit is used to collectively handle phone and electricity disconnections, organizing daily necessities, and notifying administrative authorities. Prior to death, the senior’s wishes regarding pets and life-sustaining treatment are understood as much as possible, and there have been cases where this contract was used as a guarantor when emergency hospitalization was difficult due to being 'unclaimed.'

The self-funeral preparation called 'sh?katsu (終活)' has also become a common practice among seniors. Sh?katsu fairs are held even at local supermarkets, where people can obtain information on how to organize their homes before death and funeral costs. Larger events provide experiences such as coffin viewing and portrait photo sessions, and seniors can write their last notes to loved ones.

There were also issues related to loneliness, posthumous arrangements, and anxiety. Seniors reportedly fear living longer than their savings. For example, even with pensions and savings, they hesitate to purchase necessary items immediately. According to someone working in the senior industry, a highly functional and safe electric wheelchair was recently released and received rave reviews at exhibitions, but sales were poor. While concerns about becoming immobile and unable to go out exist, the psychological burden of spending a large sum was significant. Meanwhile, services operated by collecting membership fees from elderly people are increasing, but there are no regulations on new services yet. It is said that over 25% of terms and conditions lack refund policies. Consequently, problems such as aggressive sales targeting elderly living alone, forcing high-priced products, and refusing refunds have occurred.

On the other hand, various positive attempts were also found. 'Share Kanazawa,' with over 60 years of history, started as a childcare facility for war orphans by a religious organization and expanded into a community-style silver town. On about 11,000 pyeong (approximately 36,363 square meters) of land within the village, 37 senior households live in 34 houses. Each house is about 13 pyeong (approximately 43 square meters) and includes a private bathtub, kitchen-dining area, and living room. Every morning and evening, residents receive phone calls to check on their well-being, and a resident nurse conducts health checks once a month. The village is designed without stairs and with narrow alleys between houses to encourage intentional greetings among residents. The natural hot spring within the silver town is also freely open to villagers. At a small village store, seniors in their 70s can sell freshly harvested produce or homemade side dishes every morning or take turns managing the cash register to earn money. Right next door is student housing. Nearby university students must volunteer 30 hours per month to help the elderly in the village but pay rent at half the market rate. Residents voluntarily find tasks, actively plan events, and interact, cherishing this community for a long time. Children and elderly live together, interacting mutually.

Also, in Tokyo, many seniors themselves plan and operate events to express their sense of belonging as members of society. Examples include a senior former famous announcer holding talk shows with neighborhood elders, developing rubber cups convenient for peers, or creating all-in-one natural cosmetics for those aged 60 and above. They consider their 60s too young in a 100-year life and act voluntarily. They take action because they believe it is necessary for seniors.

While the Japanese government, companies, and organizations have established policies and systems to provide solutions, some problems remain, and some systems are lacking or insufficient. Korea should use Japan as a reference book for rapid response. A day in Japan was filled with so many thoughts that I hardly noticed how time passed. As the new year begins, I envision senior trends for 2024. Japan has walked the path of an aged society first in Asia, conducting various experiments and preparations. Currently, Singapore is systematically designing and leading its aged society at the national level, and China is pushing forward with government-driven efforts across all sectors. Where do we stand?

Lee Boram, CEO of Third Age