News On Japan

Japan's Elderly Hit Record High

Sep 16 (NHK) - Japanese government data show the number of senior citizens in the country and the size of its elderly working population have both hit all-time highs.

The internal affairs ministry released the figures before Japan marks Respect for the Aged Day on Monday.

The ministry estimates that as of Sunday, the nation had a record 36.25 million people aged 65 or above. That is an increase of 20,000 from the figure a year earlier.

About 15.72 million of them were men, while roughly 20.53 million were women.

The elderly accounted for 29.3 percent of the overall population, also a record high. They made up 26.1 percent of all men and 32.3 percent of women.

Another survey by the ministry shows the country's elderly working population stood at a record 9.14 million last year.

That means 25.2 percent of the elderly had work. The ratio was 52 percent among those aged 65 through 69.

The number of elderly men in employment shrank 40,000 from the previous year to 5.34 million. But the tally of their female counterparts rose 50,000 to 3.8 million.

The ministry says the elderly working population will continue to expand due to labor shortages and other factors.

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

A camera crane collapsed at a music festival venue in Osaka, injuring at least four people.

Japan's National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) has reported the occurrence of a major solar flare on October 3rd.

Tokyo University's iconic Red Gate, which has long been a symbol for prospective students to pass through, has remained closed for the past three years, leaving many students unable to experience walking through it.

Prime Minister Ishiba has instructed relevant ministers to draft economic measures focused on addressing rising prices, strengthening growth, and ensuring safety and security.

A man who was placed on the public wanted list Thursday is suspected of playing a key role in a series of robberies in Tokyo and Saitama.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Society NEWS

After the pandemic, the movement towards 'solo activities' has been accelerating in Japan, signaling a shift in the image of 'being alone' from negative to positive.

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako watched a volleyball match on Saturday in Saga, as part of their visit to the prefecture.

Police have arrested four individuals, including Kiwata Kahata, in connection with a robbery and injury case that took place 12 years ago at a pachinko parlor in Yosano Town, Kyoto Prefecture.

The first court hearing was held for a 53-year-old woman accused of throwing raw eggs at her neighbor's house in Kawabe, Gifu.

A man who was placed on the public wanted list Thursday is suspected of playing a key role in a series of robberies in Tokyo and Saitama.

A veteran zookeeper at Tennoji Zoo in Osaka has been caught allegedly stealing animal feed that was stored in the kitchen, following the mysterious disappearance of apples, oranges, and other foods.

It has been 18 years since Princess Nori made the stunning decision to renounce her royal status and leave the Imperial family behind, a bold move that sent shockwaves through the country and sparked a fierce debate about the role of tradition and modernity in Japanese society. (The Ultimate Expedition)

A new method of romance scamming, where money is extracted through sweet talk, is leaving hapless victims with a bitter taste.