Employment Policies for the Aged as an Infrastructure of the Active Aged Society in Japan

Abstract

Japan is one of the most aged societies among the developed countries. The further rapid ageing is forecasted within the coming years. It is essential for the Japanese society to utilize the experience and skills of the elderly in order to maintain the vitality of society. The previous research has clarified that there are three key factors for the aged to be able to keep their workability; up-to-date vocational skill and knowledge, work place arrangement near one's residence, and good health. The Health Care Reform Plan 2006 has introduced a disease management program targeting the Metabolic Syndrome. This program might make it possible for the Japanese aged to keep their health and as a result, to continue to work as long as possible. If this is the case, the newly introduced disease management program will increase the income and reduce the payment of social security fund. However, there is no single measure that would dramatically increase retention or hiring rates for older workers. A multidisciplinary approach is necessary to attain this goal, i.e., the arrangement old-pension scheme and the labor contract such as mandatory retirement age system. In order to promote the multidisciplinary policy making, the Japanese Society for Health Support System is strongly expected to contribute to offer a scientific background of social policy for the aged in Japan.