The rapid aging of the Japanese population is giving rise to concerns that it will cause the national economy to decline due to a rise in the social security burden, a view that could be expressed as “social security is a burden on economic growth.” On the other hand, the emergence of a giant “silver” market and the growth of the service industry in response to the large rise in the number of elderly persons are to be expected. In particular, it is hoped that new jobs will be created through the growth of labor―intensive social services, thereby alleviating unemployment. In this manner, the relationship between the burdening and the beneficial effects of social security has become a major issue in the rapidly aging Japanese society. This study aims to elucidate the relationship between social security and regional economies and examines the effect of social security on local revitalization by taking up the case of regional planning for health and welfare promotion in Nishiaizu Machi, Fukushima Prefecture, in the form of a program called “Regional Planning for Total Care.” This regional planning program was launched in the mid―1980s to stem the rise in medical expenses, with a particular focus on health promotion activities. While health promotion can go a long way toward reducing the need for nursing care, the emergence of significant numbers of elderly persons requiring nursing care is inevitable, and thus the socialization of nursing care is also being implemented as part of regional planning. The results of this study are summarized below.
The regional planning program has produced considerable results in terms of improving social infrastructure, promoting job creation, and spurring consumption. The jobs created in organizations associated with this regional planning program represent 5.8% of total employment in Nishiaizu Machi, with social welfare corporations accounting for a significant share of newly―created jobs through their employment of large numbers of professional workers. These organizations and their employees have also created consumer demand in the local economy amounting to as much as 500 million Yen, which is equivalent to 9.4% of annual retail sales in Nishiaizu Machi. In addition to such economic effects, the regional planning program has contributed to the development of diversified human resources by winning the cooperation of academic experts and central government bureaucrats, by promoting the hiring of experienced health and social care workers by the government and affiliated organizations, and by fostering the development of many semi―experts among residents through training programs. Educational campaigns for health promotion are carried out for residents through the use of such specialized manpower. These activities are effective in terms of promoting more healthy eating habits, preventing diseases, and increasing the average life expectancy of residents, and, as a result, are helping stem the rise in medical expenses. These positive achievements in terms of health promotion have been highly commended by various Ministries and academic societies, and have been publicized throughout Japan through academic journals and magazines. Local residents also have a high regard for these health promotion activities and their appreciation has helped forge Nishiaizu Machi’s identity as “the town of health promotion.”
These economic effects and the associated development of human resources have contributed to revitalizing the regional economy and community of Nishiaizu Machi, an underpopulated municipality situated in a peripheral area.
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