Amid the growing number of elderly living alone in Japan, shared housing for seniors, a relatively new way of living here, is attracting attention. Although various studies on the management of such shared housing exist, a sociological understanding of the reality of mutual care among residents has become more and more necessary. The purpose of this paper is to explain and clarify features of mutual care in shared housing for seniors. Drawing on data from interviews with residents (N＝14), the analysis finds that mutual care is burdened with issues such as: (1) The reduction of physical care resources, (2) The psychological burden to care about the self-esteem and privacy of others, and (3) The difficulty in reducing the obligation to repay care that is received from other residents. While difficulties exist, shared housing opens new paths for senior care emphasizing: (1) The benefits of cooperation with external care, (2) Improvements in the quality of care, and (3) The promotion of a self-reliant life for residents. The future challenge for care in shared housing for seniors is to develop reciprocal relationships overall, including those among residents, people outside the housing who are involved in residents' care, and the next generation.

    I organized a study session and exchange meeting led by a doctor who practices genetic counseling in a hospital, and I carried out a survey before the session and after the meeting on the views of siblings of people with intellectual disabilities on heredity and on the information about heredity that was given them. As a result, it became clear that it is difficult for siblings of people with intellectual disabilities to obtain genetic information in everyday life, and they feel fearful and guilty about talking about heredity because they are afraid of being seen as discriminatory towards people with disabilities. At the exchange meeting, the significance of siblings talking about heredity was apparent. If people in their situation could obtain information from a specialist, it was suggested that they could acquire information in a sense of security and share their experiences and thoughts. It was hoped that similar study sessions would continue be held on a regular basis.