September 21, 2026

Akahata ‘current’ column (excerpts)

Today, September 21, is “Respect for the Aged Day” in Japan and World Alzheimer’s Day.

According to the latest government survey, approximately one in 3.6 elderly individuals has dementia or is at risk of developing it. This number increases year by year, and it is projected that by 2040, one in every 3.3 older adults will be affected.

Japan has more than 100,000 people aged 100 or older. However, in a survey of six countries on the topic of the “100-Year Life” (Japan, the U.S., China, South Korea, Germany, and Finland), only about 20 percent of Japanese respondents said they wanted to live to be 100. Compared to the other five countries, this figure was exceptionally low.

In Japan, the primary reason cited is “not wanting to be a burden” to others or relatives. This stems from not only health and financial anxieties but also a negative societal atmosphere surrounding the elderly.

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and some other parties perpetuate this atmosphere. They stir up a generational clash between the working-age population and pensioners, advocating for an increase in the financial burden of medical bills and nursing-care premiums, while emphasizing personal responsibility. This makes it seem as if living a long life were a misfortune.

Whether one can live out one’s life with dignity has become a matter of personal responsibility. It is unacceptable for society to operate under the principle that “life and death depend on money.” The government should provide social welfare services to ensure that everyone can age with peace of mind.