2007 Volume 58 Issue 4 Pages 324-332
The Japanese Somushou (i.e., Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications) announced, on Respect-for-the-Aged Day in September 2005, that the population of people over 65 is 25,560,000, or 20.0% of the nation's total population, which is the highest ever recorded in Japan. The Ministry also announced on June 1,2006 that the "special total birthrate" for 2005, indicating the average number of babies delivered by Japanese women, marked the lowest-ever level of 1.25. If the declining birthrate continues at a pace faster than estimated, the increasing ratio of the elderly in the nation's population will be far greater than expected. As new housing and large-scale supermarkets are being planned and built in the outer suburbs due to over-reliance on automobiles, the aged and needy who cannot drive for shopping are being forced into old inactive housing areas and shopping streets. People want to talk with each other as they get older, and advanced technology can help this. The following examples show two different shopping streets in Kyushu where shop owners and active elderly people still communicate with each other. In this paper, we recommend a cozy compact city where security and safety are assured, and the elderly can enjoy life and outside activities while being cared for in their homes.
