Japan's Aging Population: Challenges and Solutions

The color red has long represented look and longevity in Japan. And it is tradition to receive red items of clothing on your 60th birthday. The elderly flock here to get their hands on these fortuitous pants. And there's something for everyone. Simple and modest, or perhaps something a little more risque. So cute. Who says old age has to be boring? With one of the most rapidly aging populations in the world, the number of over 65s in Japan is almost one-third the country's population. That's triple the global average. With birth rates at an unprecedented low, Japan's 68 million strong workforce is predicted to fall by 8 million by 2030. It seems like Japan is hurtling towards an inevitable crisis. I'm Yumi Araki. I left Japan as a teenager, and now I'm back as a journalist to explore my country as it enters a new era. In this episode, I explore how the rising elderly population is putting the future of this country in flux. The number of children born in a year is less than 20. Less than 20. And how the super-aging nation is planning to cope with the consequences of its changing demographics. According to the World Bank, the average life expectancy of a Japanese person is 84, one of the highest in the world. The retirement age is currently 65. So in theory, most Japanese have well over a decade to enjoy their golden years. However, in a country where work dominates the bulk of your life, the void it leaves can be distressing. It's not uncommon to hear stories of retirees struggling with the sudden loss of identity and purpose. Sadly, they've become the fastest-growing demographic age group among suicide cases in Japan. Some older people, however, are refusing to go down without a mid-air bicycle kick. Senior Monsters are a collective of Japanese retirees who have found a new lease in life through a myriad of newly discovered skills, from dance to rap and even pole dancing. Proving that you're never too old to learn new tricks. I've come to Ikebukuro, an entertainment district in Tokyo, to meet one of these infamous monsters in person. I'm here to talk to you about my experience with the monster. to take a class with Keiko Watanabe, a.k.a. Monsieur. I'm so happy. At 60, she's one of the members of the hip-hop group Bamboo Shoot. They found fame in 2016 for busting moves in a viral YouTube video that has now been viewed over 1.5 million times. Bamboo Shoot performs at dance competitions, public appearances, and on TV across Japan. drawing in audiences both young and old. Monsieur is going to teach me a few of her moves, but only... Oh, ah, yes, yes, yes. I'm amazed at how quick and nimble Monsieur is, and frankly, it's not easy to keep up. Basic. Basic. It's hard, isn't it? Do you remember the first lesson you took? Yeah, I remember it well. Anyway, the next day I couldn't get up because of muscle pain. But I think the best thing about this is that you can freely express your thoughts. In my opinion, there are many Japanese people who are quite serious. I think there are many patterns that you can get old quietly if you get old. I don't think you think that way. I thought I would spend my life quietly. Oh, really? I wonder if it's quite a childhood. It was a very strict house, so I didn't think I'd be into hip-hop or street dance. I see. So you were like, I can do it. I was like, I can do it. It's fun. In Japan, when you're young, you're the company staff. That's your identity. You're always living as you are. When you're older, you wonder what you should do. I think many people are like that. When I was young, I wanted to do something, but I couldn't. I want to do it again. I think it's fun to take time to do it. What Monsieur and the other senior monsters are doing may seem on the surface like just a bit of silly fun. But in reality, I think it's a much needed way to hold on to human connection. Even if I don't go to the Sanhangee, it's still a problem for the society, regardless of the region or the city. If I hadn't been invited by my friends, I would have never gone to the hip-hop studio. I think there are things that can be done through the connection with people. I think the popularity of bamboo shoot and other senior monsters is a result of the community they have created for themselves. When you talk about aging in Japan, it's so often framed in the negative. Bamboo shoot are a joyful reminder that life doesn't have to end at 60, and you are most definitely not alone. Walking through Tokyo, you're constantly surrounded by people. It's a heaving, fast-paced metropolis, but as any city dweller will tell you, these places can often be the loneliest. To better understand what it takes to keep Japan's silver-haired citizens connected, I head to a community who is taking things into their own hands. These days, many elderly Japanese people live alone at an estimated 6.2 million and rising. The lack of support, coupled with decreasing mobility, means that many of them are unable to stay connected to the outside world. And for the rest of society, it's a problem easily ignored. Out of sight. Out of mind. This is Murayama Danchi. It's one of the largest residential complexes run by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. And more than 52% of its residents are over 65. It is centered around its traditional shopping street, known as a shoten gai. In 2009, a group of local shopkeepers started offering a free pick-up and drop-off service. This is the farthest place from here. It's far even if you walk or take a bus. That's why I'm grateful for this place. It's comfortable and safe. That's right. The program was spearheaded by this man, Seiichi Hiruma. He has lived here since the 70s and runs a clothing shop in the Shoten Gai. Back then, Japan was going through an era of rapid economic growth. Business was booming, and the complex bustled with young families. Originally, this street had typical shops you would expect at a shoutengai, such as the fishmonger and a rice shop. But over the decades, the children born here grew up and moved out, and the remaining residents have aged. Recognizing the changing needs of their customers, the shopkeepers started finding ways to repay their years of loyal patronage. There is a watchdog consultation room. Many elderly people do not know their place. They do not know what they are taking. They cannot write. They accept such problems here. There is a seat inside, so if you want to drink tea, you can drink tea. Is it because of the aging society? I think that's why there are more customers. Yes, that's right. The building in front of the DEPPARI building is where they grill fish for free. It's hard for the elderly to grill fish at home. It's dangerous. It's a place where they grill fish. There are also care centers like this. You can see the care center in the rehabilitation center. These people are Many of the complex's elderly residents became less mobile and stopped going out. The local businesses suffered from the dip in footfall, which prompted the start of the ferrying service. There are more and more people living here. I think there are about 4,000 people living here. About 1,300 to 1,400 people are living here. So, we want to make sure that people are not just coming to visit us, but also to look after the elderly. That's also my job. If you can't see someone, you can ask them to go and see what's going on. That's how we work together. It's incredibly striking how such seemingly small efforts have had such a big impact on life at Murayama Danchi. The people who run this service are all volunteers made up of shopkeepers like Hirumatsu-san. It's okay. I'll put it here. I'm going to do it. Thank you. It's a little heavy, but I'm sorry. One thing I noticed, though, is that none of the volunteers are exactly young bucks themselves. The house has changed a lot since I moved here. Yes, it has changed a lot. It's a three-year-old house. It's an eight-year-old house. and 90-year-olds. I see. I wonder how it will turn out. I think many of the volunteers are old-timers. But they're just following the trend. Yes. Well, the way I see it is that the elderly support the elderly. So when the driver is old enough, he becomes an elderly. It's a lot of people coming in and out. I was given so much strength hanging out with Hiruma-san and the other residents in the complex. They're so energetic and just seeing that made me really think there's power in numbers, right? So much of the horror stories you hear about old people being, you know, cast aside in Japan or caretakers being really fed up and, you know, even hurting or killing. the people that they're taking care of. The burden is so much just on one person to take care of the elderly, whereas this is more a community system. But I have to wonder, you know, what happens when they become the ones who need the service? Are there people who come after them who are going to be taking their mantle? This is a question that casts a long shadow over the Japanese economy. At present, the workforce continues to shrink faster than the current birth rate can possibly keep up with. So the Japanese government is looking to increase the retirement age to 70 and keep the elderly in employment for longer. I've come to the Tokyo University of Science to meet someone who is finding ways to assist in that longevity. Hi, nice to meet you. Hiroshi Kobayashi is a professor of mechanical engineering and is using tech to keep the human body moving for longer. I want to make something useful. But I don't want to be able to do it on my own. Professor Kobayashi's company, Innofis, has attracted global attention for its work on physical support robotics, better known as exoskeletons. In December 2019, they managed to secure US$32.4 million in their funding to expand their company. I think we should work on the basics. I think we should work on how to assist and support people. And we should work on how to reduce the burden of heavy labor. I'm eager to experience firsthand what Professor Kobayashi's works are capable of. This is the latest one. It's a powered hip exoskeleton designed to augment the user's natural strength. It allows the wearer to lift far more than their usual capability with zero risk of injury. Just putting it on won't do the trick. Without powering it up, the struggle is real. This is without. Oh, God. I'm sweating. The whole point is to support the muscles you already have. The suit is charged via a hand pump that fills air-powered artificial muscles. It feels like I'm in a more structured hammock, if that makes any sense. So if I lean forward, like I'm not using any real energy to prop myself this way. I mean, if I were to do this without this brace, I would have to use my core, I'd have to use my quads. When I go to pick this up, it just feels part of the natural. ...flow of things. It's really amazing how the power of a simple design, like the muscle suit, has the potential to change the way we think about aging. Japan is often portrayed as this nexus of technology. But really, technology is not the entire story. It's a matter of how it's best to take advantage of it to create an entire system that can address the problems with aging or immobility. I think it's a really powerful thing that Japanese society has yet to really contend with fully. Technology will inevitably play a significant role in tackling the challenges of an aging nation. However, Most of us have experienced many an elderly relative's resistance to technological advancement. Just trying to explain FaceTime to my grandma was enough to give me a migraine. So how is Japan going to tackle the glaring question of how to bridge this tech gap? I pose this question to the world's oldest app developer. There is no app that can entertain the elderly. I thought I should give it a try. That was when I was 81. Wow. The Japanese are preparing to live a much longer life. So much so that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe formed a council in 2018 to design the 100-year life. There was one member of the council in particular that captured the public's imagination. She may look like the sweet granny next door, but at 84, Masako Wakamiya is one of the world's oldest app developers. Wakamiya-san's interest in tech began after retirement from her job at a bank. I used to write everything by hand. There was no app for young people to enjoy. So I asked a young person, I asked the elderly to make an app that they would be happy with. But we didn't know what the elderly liked. So they told me that I could make it myself. That was when I was 81. I thought I should give it a try. That's amazing. That's what Hina-dan is. That's right. Wakamiya-san's app is based on the Japanese festival of dolls called Hinamatsuri. As part of the festivities, ornamental dolls are showcased on a tiered stand known as a Hinadan. Each doll represents a member of the imperial court, including ladies-in-waiting, musicians, and guards. And they all have a designated spot on the stand. In her app, players are required to place the various dolls in the correct spots. The app was a hit and has since been released in English, Korean, and Chinese. You are the most welcome guest of Hinadan. Thank you. Hinadan is a special decoration for Hinamatsuri. It's not okay. Where's the emperor? Vocals. Mmm. No bird noise. She specifically designed it to involve simpler movements and a premise that played to the strength of the elderly. What up? I don't know who made it. I've always wanted to buy a line of Hina-san. Older people know that. I don't know either. I wonder where they're going. You can teach young people. The Hinadang app acts as a gateway for the elderly to the world of tech, built around something that already feels familiar to them. Her app may seem rudimentary, but it's probably one of the smartest ideas I've come across. All the technological aging solutions in the world are pointless if the elderly themselves don't actually use it. If there are earthquakes or water disasters, they come in a push-type, with a rather detailed evacuation plan. But that's for the elderly, because it takes time to evacuate. But there are people who can't see it. First of all, people who don't have a phone or a smartphone. Not just the elderly, but also the elderly. As Wakamiya-san puts it, we need to flip the model from asking, does this help? To simply, what is it you need? It seems so obvious, but the idea may have eluded Japan for far too long. I guess there is something to be said for the wisdom of age. One thing that's becoming apparent to me is that the consequences of aging are more far-reaching than simply how to care for the increasing number of elderly. I've come to Okutama, a town that's two hours outside of Tokyo that is teetering on the edge of oblivion. Across Japan, an estimated 200 towns have already vanished over the last two decades. It is estimated that by 2040, 929 municipalities, more than half of Japan's total, will be at risk of disappearing. Hello, I'm Niijima. Nice to meet you. Kazutaka Niijima is the head of the town's youth revitalization department, charged with finding ways to repopulate the town. I was born in the 50s. I've been living in Okutama for 50 years. Compared to the population at the time and now? When Okutama was established, there were about 16,000 people. But now there are 5,000 people. Those figures are mind-blowing. The average global birth rate for a town of Okutama's size is 93. And at only 20, there's a serious shortage of young blood to fill the houses here after the elderly residents pass away. Nijima-san is one of the driving forces behind an initiative to use these vacant houses to save Okutama. In 2015, he established the Vacant House Scheme. The concept is being adopted across Japan's dying towns and involves a radical solution. Offering these empty houses for free or substantially subsidized to young couples and families who commit to living here. for at least 15 years. There are age limits for the age of the child. The age limit is for children under 50 and under 5. Or for children under 45. The conditions are that the couple live in a house below the house. And the other condition is that the couple live in a house below the house. I see. If you don't devise a project like this, the population will decrease. That's right. It's hard. Although the program has only been running for a few years, it's already shown signs of promise, with several previously abandoned houses now occupied. Kaoru Shiratori is a single mother with two children. They are in the process of moving into one of these houses. They are now doing up the place. I decide to pitch in. It's about 10 degrees. It's similar to a brush. It's similar to a brush. It's good. The daughter Yuki is already at university in Tokyo, and so it'll just be Shirotori-san and her 16-year-old son Akira living here. If the aim of this scheme is to bring in the younger generation and repopulate the town, do they see themselves eventually settling down and raising their own families here? I don't know. In reality, I think it's hard to find a job or school in the countryside. I see. I feel like the nursery is going to be a bit of a problem. If it's like this, it's going to be pretty far away, right? I wonder what happens then. Actually. Well, that's why... I think it would be great for kids in high school or college. I think they would enjoy it when they are around the age of a mother. What was the most attractive thing about this house? The open view and the window frames. I think it's a good place to live in. I thought, I don't have to worry about it. Most of the properties in the vacant house scheme are traditional Japanese homes, and this is also part of the draw for those looking to find a new home. I wanted a traditional house. I didn't think about it at first, but it's become like this, and my way of thinking has changed. I used to live in a very modern place. Oh, really? Yes. I think it's a good idea. If you want to, you can fix it. Yeah, if you live for 15 years, you can get it. If my mother turns 60 in 15 years, we can go out and live alone. I think it's okay. There's a really palpable sense of what happens after this young generation of new homeowners comes. Unless they are making a pledge for their own children to stay in this town, what happens after they get old? The exodus of young people from the countryside is driven by a need to find work. And that doesn't show signs of improving anytime soon. Won't Okutama just end up back at square one? Being here has left me with another nagging concern. Generations of families have dedicated themselves to honing some of Japan's most famous creations. And most of them have done so from rural areas just like Okutama. Japan is a country famous for its enduring and meticulous craftsmanship. Those who dedicate themselves to the mastery and perfection of their craft are known in Japanese as shokunin, and their trade secrets are usually passed down through the family for generations. I'm in Hitachinaka, in the Ibaraki prefecture, to find out how aging is affecting tradition in unexpected ways. Soy sauce is at the center of almost all Japanese cuisine. Its origins can be traced back to the 13th century. And to me, there are few other things that are so inextricably linked with the country. The Kurosawa Soy Sauce Brewery has a history that dates back to the Meiji era. It's one of the few remaining to brew soy sauce using traditional methods. Makiko Kurosawa, one of the family, has offered to take me behind the scenes. Wow! Wow! The microorganisms that live in the soy sauce grottoes that still use these memories will change depending on the grottoes. So, we will put the The gold here is made from Kurosawa gold. This room here is also made from Meiji gold. I see. That's amazing. It's been here for thousands of years. I think it's because the children eat a lot and come here to see the children. The first thing I say is, I say it's dirty, but I explain it to everyone. I make delicious food like this. Despite modern advancements pushing soy sauce production to be faster and cheaper, the Kurosawa brewery has stayed true to their time-tested methods. Shall we? The center of this long-enduring craft is hidden away in this room. These barrels are hand-crafted from Japanese cedar and have been in use at the Kurosawa brewery for over 100 years. The unique feature of this is that we don't use any nails. As you can see. This is wonderful. So, not only the soy sauce, but also the Kiyoke, which is a traditional Japanese craft, we have to preserve it. We have to prove it in the soy sauce and sake breweries. The knock-on effect triggered by Japan's changing demographics is more far-reaching than I imagined. Currently, there is only one master craftsman capable of making these barrels. In turn, the number of craftsmen capable of making the different types of tools required is almost non-existent. And the same goes for the expert woodcutters. None of these crafts can continue without each other, and yet all of them are struggling with the same thing, having no one to pass on their legacy to. It's not like soy sauce shops are not profitable. They say that there are many people who are struggling. But now, there are many people who don't have a successor. This is becoming a common problem for many of Japan's craft dynasties. Historically, these kinds of family businesses were passed down from father to son. But that's increasingly difficult to continue, and so they are now faced with a decision. to close up shop or pass on their legacies to someone outside of the family. I think Kurosawa Soisao's story is quite representative of Japan, with the falling population rates, not as many young people to be able to carry on legacies. There's a real risk of losing a really important part of Japanese Quizno history, and it would be a real shame if that tradition wasn't carried on somehow. An inevitable consequence of the increase in elderly is a surge in the country's annual death rate. Despite this, death is still a taboo subject in Japan. So much so that those who work in professions that come into contact with death are often shunned, with many believing them to be kegare or impure. I'm curious as to whether the conversations around death are starting to change in Japan as it faces its super-aged future. So I've come here to the Blue Ocean Cafe. On the surface, it looks like a simple community cafe nestled among the high-rises of Tokyo. But look a little closer, and it's anything but. Blue Ocean is in fact a community café set up to help people prepare for the end of life, known as shukatsu. There are other people who want to do this in Japan. Please do. The diamond burying is the most beautiful and everlasting way to get family out to you and loved ones. I'm surprised to see these people here. Japanese funeral rituals and rites have remained unchanged for a long time. Almost everyone is cremated and interred in their family grave. The owner of the cafe is Masumi Murata. She's a certified shukatsu counselor, helping people to prepare emotionally, psychologically, and logistically for death. Compared to when we first started, people's mindsets have changed a lot. We want to visit anyone, and we want to make sure that we don't rush things. I think that's what's been growing in our daily lives. And it's not just coffee on the menu here at Blue Ocean. Customers can treat themselves to their very own coffin experience. A little claustrophobic, so this should be fun. It's quiet. All you can really hear is your own breathing, really. Maybe if you're even more silent, you can hear your own heartbeat. It's calming. It's soothing. Wow, it really is soundproof then. Yeah. I've just heard folks outside saying they can't hear anything that I'm saying, so... Yeah, great recording situation. That's how far from death I am. I'm thinking about work. I'll open it. Welcome back. I'm home. I'll come out again. I think that thinking about death is thinking about living. If you make a good decision at the end, you can go back and forth. It's encouraging that places like the Blue Ocean Cafe are empowering people to find meaning in end-of-life matters. I think that's a really interesting notion, and it prevents feelings of isolation. I think it also prevents people from feeling hopeless in many ways. Aging is obviously a very scary thing, right? The thought of losing your faculties or the thought of having to rely on other people to help you get through your day is terrifying. And I think a lot of people are facing that in Japan. The impact of Japan's aging population is complex and far-reaching. But the one thing that's become clear to me is that it'll take a united societal effort to find the solutions. This is a special service.

So cute. Who says old age has to be boring? With one of the most rapidly aging populations in the world, the number of over 65s in Japan is almost one-third the country's population.

That's triple the global average. With birth rates at an unprecedented low, Japan's 68 million strong workforce is predicted to fall by 8 million by 2030. It seems like Japan is hurtling towards an inevitable crisis. I'm Yumi Araki.

I left Japan as a teenager, and now I'm back as a journalist to explore my country as it enters a new era. In this episode, I explore how the rising elderly population is putting the future of this country in flux. The number of children born in a year is less than 20. Less than 20. And how the super-aging nation is planning to cope with the consequences of its changing demographics.

According to the World Bank, the average life expectancy of a Japanese person is 84, one of the highest in the world. The retirement age is currently 65. So in theory, most Japanese have well over a decade to enjoy their golden years. However, in a country where work dominates the bulk of your life, the void it leaves can be distressing.

It's not uncommon to hear stories of retirees struggling with the sudden loss of identity and purpose. Sadly, they've become the fastest-growing demographic age group among suicide cases in Japan. Some older people, however, are refusing to go down without a mid-air bicycle kick. Senior Monsters are a collective of Japanese retirees who have found a new lease in life through a myriad of newly discovered skills, from dance to rap and even pole dancing.

Proving that you're never too old to learn new tricks. I've come to Ikebukuro, an entertainment district in Tokyo, to meet one of these infamous monsters in person. I'm here to talk to you about my experience with the monster.

to take a class with Keiko Watanabe, a.k.a. Monsieur. I'm so happy. At 60, she's one of the members of the hip-hop group Bamboo Shoot.

They found fame in 2016 for busting moves in a viral YouTube video that has now been viewed over 1.5 million times. Bamboo Shoot performs at dance competitions, public appearances, and on TV across Japan. drawing in audiences both young and old. Monsieur is going to teach me a few of her moves, but only...

Oh, ah, yes, yes, yes. I'm amazed at how quick and nimble Monsieur is, and frankly, it's not easy to keep up. Basic. Basic. It's hard, isn't it?

Do you remember the first lesson you took? Yeah, I remember it well. Anyway, the next day I couldn't get up because of muscle pain.

But I think the best thing about this is that you can freely express your thoughts. In my opinion, there are many Japanese people who are quite serious. I think there are many patterns that you can get old quietly if you get old. I don't think you think that way. I thought I would spend my life quietly.

Oh, really? I wonder if it's quite a childhood. It was a very strict house, so I didn't think I'd be into hip-hop or street dance. I see.

So you were like, I can do it. I was like, I can do it. It's fun.

In Japan, when you're young, you're the company staff. That's your identity. You're always living as you are.

When you're older, you wonder what you should do. I think many people are like that. When I was young, I wanted to do something, but I couldn't. I want to do it again.

I think it's fun to take time to do it. What Monsieur and the other senior monsters are doing may seem on the surface like just a bit of silly fun. But in reality, I think it's a much needed way to hold on to human connection.

Even if I don't go to the Sanhangee, it's still a problem for the society, regardless of the region or the city. If I hadn't been invited by my friends, I would have never gone to the hip-hop studio. I think there are things that can be done through the connection with people. I think the popularity of bamboo shoot and other senior monsters is a result of the community they have created for themselves. When you talk about aging in Japan, it's so often framed in the negative.

Bamboo shoot are a joyful reminder that life doesn't have to end at 60, and you are most definitely not alone. Walking through Tokyo, you're constantly surrounded by people. It's a heaving, fast-paced metropolis, but as any city dweller will tell you, these places can often be the loneliest. To better understand what it takes to keep Japan's silver-haired citizens connected, I head to a community who is taking things into their own hands. These days, many elderly Japanese people live alone at an estimated 6.2 million and rising.

The lack of support, coupled with decreasing mobility, means that many of them are unable to stay connected to the outside world. And for the rest of society, it's a problem easily ignored. Out of sight. Out of mind.

This is Murayama Danchi. It's one of the largest residential complexes run by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. And more than 52% of its residents are over 65. It is centered around its traditional shopping street, known as a shoten gai. In 2009, a group of local shopkeepers started offering a free pick-up and drop-off service.

This is the farthest place from here. It's far even if you walk or take a bus. That's why I'm grateful for this place. It's comfortable and safe. That's right.

The program was spearheaded by this man, Seiichi Hiruma. He has lived here since the 70s and runs a clothing shop in the Shoten Gai. Back then, Japan was going through an era of rapid economic growth.

Business was booming, and the complex bustled with young families. Originally, this street had typical shops you would expect at a shoutengai, such as the fishmonger and a rice shop. But over the decades, the children born here grew up and moved out, and the remaining residents have aged.

Recognizing the changing needs of their customers, the shopkeepers started finding ways to repay their years of loyal patronage. There is a watchdog consultation room. Many elderly people do not know their place. They do not know what they are taking. They cannot write.

They accept such problems here. There is a seat inside, so if you want to drink tea, you can drink tea. Is it because of the aging society?

I think that's why there are more customers. Yes, that's right. The building in front of the DEPPARI building is where they grill fish for free. It's hard for the elderly to grill fish at home.

It's dangerous. It's a place where they grill fish. There are also care centers like this.

You can see the care center in the rehabilitation center. These people are Many of the complex's elderly residents became less mobile and stopped going out. The local businesses suffered from the dip in footfall, which prompted the start of the ferrying service. There are more and more people living here.

I think there are about 4,000 people living here. About 1,300 to 1,400 people are living here. So, we want to make sure that people are not just coming to visit us, but also to look after the elderly.

That's also my job. If you can't see someone, you can ask them to go and see what's going on. That's how we work together. It's incredibly striking how such seemingly small efforts have had such a big impact on life at Murayama Danchi.

The people who run this service are all volunteers made up of shopkeepers like Hirumatsu-san. It's okay. I'll put it here.

I'm going to do it. Thank you. It's a little heavy, but I'm sorry.

One thing I noticed, though, is that none of the volunteers are exactly young bucks themselves. The house has changed a lot since I moved here. Yes, it has changed a lot.

It's a three-year-old house. It's an eight-year-old house. and 90-year-olds.

I see. I wonder how it will turn out. I think many of the volunteers are old-timers.

But they're just following the trend. Yes. Well, the way I see it is that the elderly support the elderly. So when the driver is old enough, he becomes an elderly. It's a lot of people coming in and out.

I was given so much strength hanging out with Hiruma-san and the other residents in the complex. They're so energetic and just seeing that made me really think there's power in numbers, right? So much of the horror stories you hear about old people being, you know, cast aside in Japan or caretakers being really fed up and, you know, even hurting or killing. the people that they're taking care of.

The burden is so much just on one person to take care of the elderly, whereas this is more a community system. But I have to wonder, you know, what happens when they become the ones who need the service? Are there people who come after them who are going to be taking their mantle? This is a question that casts a long shadow over the Japanese economy.

At present, the workforce continues to shrink faster than the current birth rate can possibly keep up with. So the Japanese government is looking to increase the retirement age to 70 and keep the elderly in employment for longer. I've come to the Tokyo University of Science to meet someone who is finding ways to assist in that longevity.

Hi, nice to meet you. Hiroshi Kobayashi is a professor of mechanical engineering and is using tech to keep the human body moving for longer. I want to make something useful.

But I don't want to be able to do it on my own. Professor Kobayashi's company, Innofis, has attracted global attention for its work on physical support robotics, better known as exoskeletons. In December 2019, they managed to secure US$32.4 million in their funding to expand their company. I think we should work on the basics.

I think we should work on how to assist and support people. And we should work on how to reduce the burden of heavy labor. I'm eager to experience firsthand what Professor Kobayashi's works are capable of.

This is the latest one. It's a powered hip exoskeleton designed to augment the user's natural strength. It allows the wearer to lift far more than their usual capability with zero risk of injury.

Just putting it on won't do the trick. Without powering it up, the struggle is real. This is without.

Oh, God. I'm sweating. The whole point is to support the muscles you already have. The suit is charged via a hand pump that fills air-powered artificial muscles.

It feels like I'm in a more structured hammock, if that makes any sense. So if I lean forward, like I'm not using any real energy to prop myself this way. I mean, if I were to do this without this brace, I would have to use my core, I'd have to use my quads.

When I go to pick this up, it just feels part of the natural. ...flow of things. It's really amazing how the power of a simple design, like the muscle suit, has the potential to change the way we think about aging. Japan is often portrayed as this nexus of technology. But really, technology is not the entire story.

It's a matter of how it's best to take advantage of it to create an entire system that can address the problems with aging or immobility. I think it's a really powerful thing that Japanese society has yet to really contend with fully. Technology will inevitably play a significant role in tackling the challenges of an aging nation. However, Most of us have experienced many an elderly relative's resistance to technological advancement. Just trying to explain FaceTime to my grandma was enough to give me a migraine.

So how is Japan going to tackle the glaring question of how to bridge this tech gap? I pose this question to the world's oldest app developer. There is no app that can entertain the elderly. I thought I should give it a try.

That was when I was 81. Wow. The Japanese are preparing to live a much longer life. So much so that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe formed a council in 2018 to design the 100-year life. There was one member of the council in particular that captured the public's imagination.

She may look like the sweet granny next door, but at 84, Masako Wakamiya is one of the world's oldest app developers. Wakamiya-san's interest in tech began after retirement from her job at a bank. I used to write everything by hand.

There was no app for young people to enjoy. So I asked a young person, I asked the elderly to make an app that they would be happy with. But we didn't know what the elderly liked.

So they told me that I could make it myself. That was when I was 81. I thought I should give it a try. That's amazing. That's what Hina-dan is.

That's right. Wakamiya-san's app is based on the Japanese festival of dolls called Hinamatsuri. As part of the festivities, ornamental dolls are showcased on a tiered stand known as a Hinadan. Each doll represents a member of the imperial court, including ladies-in-waiting, musicians, and guards.

And they all have a designated spot on the stand. In her app, players are required to place the various dolls in the correct spots. The app was a hit and has since been released in English, Korean, and Chinese. You are the most welcome guest of Hinadan.

Thank you. Hinadan is a special decoration for Hinamatsuri. It's not okay. Where's the emperor? Vocals.

Mmm. No bird noise. She specifically designed it to involve simpler movements and a premise that played to the strength of the elderly. What up? I don't know who made it.

I've always wanted to buy a line of Hina-san. Older people know that. I don't know either.

I wonder where they're going. You can teach young people. The Hinadang app acts as a gateway for the elderly to the world of tech, built around something that already feels familiar to them. Her app may seem rudimentary, but it's probably one of the smartest ideas I've come across.

All the technological aging solutions in the world are pointless if the elderly themselves don't actually use it. If there are earthquakes or water disasters, they come in a push-type, with a rather detailed evacuation plan. But that's for the elderly, because it takes time to evacuate. But there are people who can't see it. First of all, people who don't have a phone or a smartphone.

Not just the elderly, but also the elderly. As Wakamiya-san puts it, we need to flip the model from asking, does this help? To simply, what is it you need?

It seems so obvious, but the idea may have eluded Japan for far too long. I guess there is something to be said for the wisdom of age. One thing that's becoming apparent to me is that the consequences of aging are more far-reaching than simply how to care for the increasing number of elderly. I've come to Okutama, a town that's two hours outside of Tokyo that is teetering on the edge of oblivion. Across Japan, an estimated 200 towns have already vanished over the last two decades.

It is estimated that by 2040, 929 municipalities, more than half of Japan's total, will be at risk of disappearing. Hello, I'm Niijima. Nice to meet you. Kazutaka Niijima is the head of the town's youth revitalization department, charged with finding ways to repopulate the town. I was born in the 50s.

I've been living in Okutama for 50 years. Compared to the population at the time and now? When Okutama was established, there were about 16,000 people.

But now there are 5,000 people. Those figures are mind-blowing. The average global birth rate for a town of Okutama's size is 93. And at only 20, there's a serious shortage of young blood to fill the houses here after the elderly residents pass away. Nijima-san is one of the driving forces behind an initiative to use these vacant houses to save Okutama. In 2015, he established the Vacant House Scheme.

The concept is being adopted across Japan's dying towns and involves a radical solution. Offering these empty houses for free or substantially subsidized to young couples and families who commit to living here. for at least 15 years. There are age limits for the age of the child. The age limit is for children under 50 and under 5. Or for children under 45. The conditions are that the couple live in a house below the house.

And the other condition is that the couple live in a house below the house. I see. If you don't devise a project like this, the population will decrease. That's right. It's hard.

Although the program has only been running for a few years, it's already shown signs of promise, with several previously abandoned houses now occupied. Kaoru Shiratori is a single mother with two children. They are in the process of moving into one of these houses.

They are now doing up the place. I decide to pitch in. It's about 10 degrees. It's similar to a brush.

It's similar to a brush. It's good. The daughter Yuki is already at university in Tokyo, and so it'll just be Shirotori-san and her 16-year-old son Akira living here.

If the aim of this scheme is to bring in the younger generation and repopulate the town, do they see themselves eventually settling down and raising their own families here? I don't know. In reality, I think it's hard to find a job or school in the countryside. I see.

I feel like the nursery is going to be a bit of a problem. If it's like this, it's going to be pretty far away, right? I wonder what happens then.

Actually. Well, that's why... I think it would be great for kids in high school or college. I think they would enjoy it when they are around the age of a mother.

What was the most attractive thing about this house? The open view and the window frames. I think it's a good place to live in.

I thought, I don't have to worry about it. Most of the properties in the vacant house scheme are traditional Japanese homes, and this is also part of the draw for those looking to find a new home. I wanted a traditional house. I didn't think about it at first, but it's become like this, and my way of thinking has changed. I used to live in a very modern place.

Oh, really? Yes. I think it's a good idea.

If you want to, you can fix it. Yeah, if you live for 15 years, you can get it. If my mother turns 60 in 15 years, we can go out and live alone. I think it's okay. There's a really palpable sense of what happens after this young generation of new homeowners comes.

Unless they are making a pledge for their own children to stay in this town, what happens after they get old? The exodus of young people from the countryside is driven by a need to find work. And that doesn't show signs of improving anytime soon.

Won't Okutama just end up back at square one? Being here has left me with another nagging concern. Generations of families have dedicated themselves to honing some of Japan's most famous creations. And most of them have done so from rural areas just like Okutama. Japan is a country famous for its enduring and meticulous craftsmanship.

Those who dedicate themselves to the mastery and perfection of their craft are known in Japanese as shokunin, and their trade secrets are usually passed down through the family for generations. I'm in Hitachinaka, in the Ibaraki prefecture, to find out how aging is affecting tradition in unexpected ways. Soy sauce is at the center of almost all Japanese cuisine.

Its origins can be traced back to the 13th century. And to me, there are few other things that are so inextricably linked with the country. The Kurosawa Soy Sauce Brewery has a history that dates back to the Meiji era. It's one of the few remaining to brew soy sauce using traditional methods. Makiko Kurosawa, one of the family, has offered to take me behind the scenes.

Wow! Wow! The microorganisms that live in the soy sauce grottoes that still use these memories will change depending on the grottoes. So, we will put the The gold here is made from Kurosawa gold. This room here is also made from Meiji gold.

I see. That's amazing. It's been here for thousands of years.

I think it's because the children eat a lot and come here to see the children. The first thing I say is, I say it's dirty, but I explain it to everyone. I make delicious food like this. Despite modern advancements pushing soy sauce production to be faster and cheaper, the Kurosawa brewery has stayed true to their time-tested methods. Shall we?

The center of this long-enduring craft is hidden away in this room. These barrels are hand-crafted from Japanese cedar and have been in use at the Kurosawa brewery for over 100 years. The unique feature of this is that we don't use any nails. As you can see. This is wonderful.

So, not only the soy sauce, but also the Kiyoke, which is a traditional Japanese craft, we have to preserve it. We have to prove it in the soy sauce and sake breweries. The knock-on effect triggered by Japan's changing demographics is more far-reaching than I imagined.

Currently, there is only one master craftsman capable of making these barrels. In turn, the number of craftsmen capable of making the different types of tools required is almost non-existent. And the same goes for the expert woodcutters. None of these crafts can continue without each other, and yet all of them are struggling with the same thing, having no one to pass on their legacy to.

It's not like soy sauce shops are not profitable. They say that there are many people who are struggling. But now, there are many people who don't have a successor.

This is becoming a common problem for many of Japan's craft dynasties. Historically, these kinds of family businesses were passed down from father to son. But that's increasingly difficult to continue, and so they are now faced with a decision. to close up shop or pass on their legacies to someone outside of the family. I think Kurosawa Soisao's story is quite representative of Japan, with the falling population rates, not as many young people to be able to carry on legacies.

There's a real risk of losing a really important part of Japanese Quizno history, and it would be a real shame if that tradition wasn't carried on somehow. An inevitable consequence of the increase in elderly is a surge in the country's annual death rate. Despite this, death is still a taboo subject in Japan. So much so that those who work in professions that come into contact with death are often shunned, with many believing them to be kegare or impure. I'm curious as to whether the conversations around death are starting to change in Japan as it faces its super-aged future.

So I've come here to the Blue Ocean Cafe. On the surface, it looks like a simple community cafe nestled among the high-rises of Tokyo. But look a little closer, and it's anything but.

Blue Ocean is in fact a community café set up to help people prepare for the end of life, known as shukatsu. There are other people who want to do this in Japan. Please do.

The diamond burying is the most beautiful and everlasting way to get family out to you and loved ones. I'm surprised to see these people here. Japanese funeral rituals and rites have remained unchanged for a long time.

Almost everyone is cremated and interred in their family grave. The owner of the cafe is Masumi Murata. She's a certified shukatsu counselor, helping people to prepare emotionally, psychologically, and logistically for death. Compared to when we first started, people's mindsets have changed a lot.

We want to visit anyone, and we want to make sure that we don't rush things. I think that's what's been growing in our daily lives. And it's not just coffee on the menu here at Blue Ocean. Customers can treat themselves to their very own coffin experience.

A little claustrophobic, so this should be fun. It's quiet. All you can really hear is your own breathing, really. Maybe if you're even more silent, you can hear your own heartbeat.

It's calming. It's soothing. Wow, it really is soundproof then.

Yeah. I've just heard folks outside saying they can't hear anything that I'm saying, so... Yeah, great recording situation.

That's how far from death I am. I'm thinking about work. I'll open it. Welcome back. I'm home.

I'll come out again. I think that thinking about death is thinking about living. If you make a good decision at the end, you can go back and forth. It's encouraging that places like the Blue Ocean Cafe are empowering people to find meaning in end-of-life matters. I think that's a really interesting notion, and it prevents feelings of isolation.

I think it also prevents people from feeling hopeless in many ways. Aging is obviously a very scary thing, right? The thought of losing your faculties or the thought of having to rely on other people to help you get through your day is terrifying.

And I think a lot of people are facing that in Japan. The impact of Japan's aging population is complex and far-reaching. But the one thing that's become clear to me is that it'll take a united societal effort to find the solutions.

This is a special service.

Transcript for:Japan's Aging Population: Challenges and Solutions

Transcript for:
Japan's Aging Population: Challenges and Solutions