Turning the population pyramid on its head Debunking "old person" stereotypes Finding meaning in volunteer work Luring of Senior consumers with time and money to spare Hard Working Seniors

Japan's society is aging faster than any nation in the world and maintains an extremely low birth rate. The demography of its society has put it in the ranks with the advanced nations of the US and Europe. As the silver set accounts for a larger portion of Japan's society, there is a rising concern about higher medical and welfare costs. Yet there are those who view this age group as being full of energy and a key factor in supporting Japanese society. They are a healthy group and look forward to getting the most out of their "second life" which gives meaning to their life. As one aspect of Japanese life in the 21st century, let's examine "Japan & its aging society."

Turning the population pyramid on its head

The Japanese population of the 1940s represented a perfect triangle, or "pyramid" (in which children formed the widest base, seniors the narrow point). Only fifty years later, the demographic change is dramatic; the pyramid is now urn-shaped. There are fewer children and more old people, graphically reflecting the rapid progress of both aging and a declining birth rate. Each September, Japan celebrates a national public holiday called Respect for the Aged Day. It honors the elderly citizen's lifetime contribution to society, and celebrates longevity. In figures released on this year's national holiday, the number of Japanese people 65-years and over had reached 21.2 million. This is a record figure and indicates that one out of every six Japanese is classified as being a senior citizen. According to projections by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research, by 2015 elderly Japanese will make up 25% of the population, and by 2030 this proportion will reach 32.3%. The most alarming factor is the speed at which the population is aging. While the United Nations classifies an "aging society" as one in which people over 65 account for more than 7% of the population, it defines societies where this age group accounts for 14% or more as an "aged society." Moving from 7% to 14% took Sweden 85 years, France 130 years, and the UK 35 years. However, it has taken Japan a mere 24 years. If all nations aspire to the gift of long life, that "gift" has come to Japan too swiftly, and the country now finds itself in a quandary. But it should not be a cause for alarm. The single greatest advantage of an aged society is that many people within it are rich with experience and have diverse capabilities. If those capabilities are cleverly harnessed, it is possible to create a bright and lively society. The smaller number of young people could be offset by a commensurate increase in vigorous older persons, with an accompanying revitalization of society in general.

Population pyramids for Japan in 1998 and 2025. As baby boomers and their children-those currently aged 49–51 and 24–27, respectively gradually grow older, Japan's population will shift upwards, with the middle-aged and elderly accounting for the largest proportion