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The number of households (people 65 and older) in which elderly individuals live on their own is expected to rise by the year 2035 to approximately 37.7% overall, and to 44% in Tokyo, according to the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research.
The institute said in a report that in 2010 -- the last time it compiled a report -- the percentage of households in which the head of the house was 65 years or older and single was 31.2%.
Akita Prefecture is home to the highest concentration of elderly households at 52.1% overall, the report said. In Tokyo, the figure was 35.8%.
The institute also reported that the number of individuals living on their own who marry late and those not getting married at all has increased and is expected to continue increasing, which will further exacerbate Japan's aging population issues.
© Japan Today
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Yoshiteru Yanagita
This is a terrible news for Japan. The power of economic growth is fading now, and the demographic structure is getting worse for its economic growth..My opinion is that Japan shouldn't depend only on monetary easing policy, which will ultimately lead to mere inflation. Inflation without economic growth and wage increase is harmful for individuals. Japan should try again to re-structure its system of economic growth, which has been matured and is different from that of 1960s and 70s.
konjo4u
Pursuit of Loneliness was a required reading in college. I was like "what's wrong with that?"
Serrano
This is great news for makers/sellers of hearing aids, canes, wheelchairs, etc.
samwatters
"The institute also reported that the number of individuals living on their own who marry late and those not getting married at all has increased and is expected to continue increasing, which will further exacerbate Japan’s aging population issues. "
I do not wish to be callous but Japan must make a basic choice; cater to the elderly and spend vast amounts of resources on making sure that the Golden Years (or Golden Decades in Japan's case) are as worry-free as possible or start reallocating those resources to infrastructure that allows people to marry and have children. Right now most young people are avoiding marriage and/or children because they simply cannot afford raise a family and pay for the taxes needed to support the elderly and the numerous government agencies assigned to carry out those duties.