Pitch in and help the elderly
(From The Japan Times January 22 issue)

長寿国日本で高齢者を支えるために

Japan boasts one of the highest overall life expectancies among nations. In 2009, the average life span for Japanese women was a whopping 86.44 years and that for men 79.59 years. The health ministry estimates the number of Japan's centenarians in fiscal 2010 at some 44,400 — a record. The population of centenarians has more than tripled in the past 10 years.

But these figures can be misleading about the real situation facing Japan's seniors. In July 2010, the mummified remains of a man, who was listed as alive at 111 years of age on the family register, was found by city officials in his home in Adachi Ward, Tokyo. He had been dead for some 30 years. His eldest daughter and granddaughter were arrested on suspicion of fraudulently collecting his pension benefits.

After this incident, hundreds of cases surfaced in which family members claimed to not know whether their elderly relatives were dead or alive because they lived apart and local governments concerned did not know either.

The Personal Information Protection Law makes it difficult for local governments to collect information on elderly residents. At least, communication must be improved between the social welfare section and the residents registry section within a local government.

Aside from these factors, the incidents point to the sad fact that many people have become indifferent to elderly members of society or disregard their human rights.

The government and private sector must endeavor to make 2011 a year in which the elderly get their due attention and not become isolated. Specifically, neglect, and physical, psychological and financial abuse of the elderly must be prevented.

The social welfare system alone does not sufficiently protect the elderly. Younger people should volunteer to provide support in their communities. For example, accompanying the elderly to parks, shops and hospitals would be of great help. They can also call on the elderly to check on their physical and mental condition. Local governments, schools and enterprises should find ways to strengthen ties between young people and the elderly.

2009年の日本の平均寿命は女性86.44歳、男性79.59歳だった。厚労省によると百歳以上は昨年で推定4万4400人、過去10年で3倍に増えた。

だがそれが現状を反映したものとは限らない。東京都足立区で昨夏、戸籍上111歳の男性のミイラ化した遺体が発見されたのを機に、家族も自治体も高齢者の生存が分からない例が相次いだ。

個人情報保護法により自治体による現状把握は難しいが、少なくとも福祉と住民登録部門の連携をさらに深めるべきだ。

今年は政府と民間で高齢者に当然の配慮をし、孤立を防ぐ年にしたい。特にネグレクトや身体的･精神的虐待、金銭悪用は防がねばならない。公園や商業施設、病院への付き添いや、訪問による状況確認などをとおして、より若い人が高齢者を支えるべきだ。自治体、学校、企業が若者と高齢者を結ぶ方法を見出さねばならない。