The aging of Japan is thought to outweigh all other nations, as the country is purported to have the highest proportion of elderly citizens. CGTN's Steve Ross in Tokyo has talked to professors in the country to find out more about how they plan to cope.

 

Eighty years old today is more like fifty years old, fifty years ago.  

 

Professor Atsushi Sunami of Japan's National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies is grappling with the challenge of a large senior population that is – mentally and physically – healthier than ever.  

 

PROF. ATSUSHI SUNAMI "And how do you get the elderly to more actively engage in society is a big, big issue."  

 

In fact, seniors and employment is such a big issue that earlier this year two leading academic associations studying the problem proposed that the term "elderly" be raised from the current age of 65 to 75. Such a redefinition would likewise mean pushing back retirement age.  

 

DR. FLORIAN KOHLBACHER THE ECONOMIST CORPORATE NETWORK "Japan still has a mandatory retirement age. In most instances this is usually set by each individual organization or company. On average this is still, for the majority of companies in Japan, age 60. And then they have a system in place whereby people can continue to work until age 65, but it's usually a lot more difficult to continue working after age 65."  

 

The Economist Corporate Network's director Dr. Florian Kohlbacher foresees a change in Japan's working style, due partly to greater longevity, and partly due to the current labor force shortage.  

 

DR. FLORIAN KOHLBACHER THE ECONOMIST CORPORATE NETWORK "Japan has higher labor force participation, especially among older males, than many other countries in the world, so that's a positive. However, what I see is missing is a more flexible system. I think the whole labor market needs a reform, and that feeds into the discussion we're currently having about work-style reform, for example, the problem of long working hours, death from overwork, and things like that."  

 

STEVE ROSS TOKYO "In gathering spots for the elderly like Tokyo's Sugamo shopping district, Japan's world-leading longevity can readily be seen – and longer life-spans could allow for extended years of labor. But one question remains: How do elderly prospective workers feel about it?"  

 

KATSUSUKE OHYA FCC CORPORATION "I think that the elderly should work if they don't have any trouble with their health."

 

Katsusuke OHYA is 78, and continues his daily work as a manager at Tokyo's FCC Corporation, a software specialist firm. For him, the exertions of employment and health go hand in hand.  

 

KATSUSUKE OHYA FCC CORPORATION My opinion is even the elderly should challenge themselves. To try new things might not work well sometimes, but such efforts create more and more opportunities. It's a really good way to keep young.

 

In Japan, a retirement of relaxation isn't yesteryear's way of life just yet, however. The government is not expected to compel firms to raise or abolish the retirement age until after 2020. Steve Ross, CGTN, Tokyo.