OSAKA - Reskilling, the process of acquiring new skills to adapt to social and technological changes -- often referred to as “relearning” -- is attracting growing interest among Japan’s older population.
A recent survey revealed that more than 70 percent of people aged 50 and over are interested in reskilling after retirement, reflecting a strong desire among seniors to stay active and engaged in society even after leaving the workforce.
To explore this trend, a reporter visited Takatsuki City, where a local initiative known as the Takatsuki Civic College offers learning opportunities specifically for seniors. The atmosphere in the classroom was lively and focused, with most participants being retirees intently listening to lectures. Established five years ago, the program aims to help seniors form friendships and participate in their communities. Enrollment has been increasing annually, and today around 300 students are taking part in its 38 courses, all at an affordable cost.
One student explained, “I have two reasons for coming here. First, to prevent dementia, and second, to make new friends—although that part is not always easy.” Formerly a nurse, she said joining the classes allows her to rediscover herself and learn new things. “There’s still so much I don’t know. Being among other people helps me see myself from a different perspective, and that’s interesting,” she added with a smile.
The story of 76-year-old Hiyo Okada in Takarazuka City offers another inspiring example of lifelong learning. Okada is now a second-year student in the Faculty of Psychology at Koshien University, a private four-year institution typically filled with younger students. “When I’m at school, I feel so young,” she laughed. “But when I get home and see myself in the mirror, I’m surprised.”
Okada, who had spent over 50 years working as a hairdresser in Saitama, left her job at 70 and moved to Kansai, where her daughter lives. Feeling a long-held regret about not finishing high school, she enrolled in a correspondence high school before deciding to pursue higher education. “Through my work, I realized how much I enjoy interacting with people,” she said. “When I told my teacher that, they suggested I study psychology, and I thought, why not?”
Although Koshien University offers full tuition and admission fee exemptions for adult learners over 35, Okada did not qualify because she entered through a high school recommendation program, meaning she pays all fees herself. “Yes, I pay everything out of my own pocket,” she said cheerfully, describing the cost as an investment in herself.
At lunchtime, she often eats in the student cafeteria with classmates decades younger than her. “They call me ‘A-chan,’” she said. “That’s what my grandchildren call me at home, so it makes me feel comfortable here too.” Her younger peers said they were initially surprised to see an older student but quickly grew close. “When I first saw her, I thought she might be a staff member,” one classmate laughed. “But now, she’s like a bridge connecting everyone. Without her, I wouldn’t have made so many friends.”
Far from being isolated, Okada has become an indispensable presence in her department, organizing study sessions and helping younger students prepare for exams. “She taught us every day for a week before finals,” said another student. “I wouldn’t have passed without her.”
After classes, Okada returns to her apartment, where her desk is covered with psychology textbooks and English materials. “English is difficult,” she said, “but I keep trying.” Her grandson often visits, and the two share warm moments together. “She’s incredible,” he said proudly. “She’s living life to the fullest and enjoying every moment.”
Okada’s next goal is to become a certified psychological counselor. “I want to be the kind of grandmother who sits quietly in the corner of an elementary or junior high school, someone children can talk to about anything,” she said. “That’s my dream.”
Experts note that the rise of such learning initiatives highlights a changing role for seniors in Japanese society. “In the past, grandparents held important positions within extended families and communities,” one commentator said. “Now, as families become more nuclear, these new forms of community involvement give seniors a renewed sense of purpose and belonging.”
As Japan’s population continues to age, stories like Okada’s suggest that reskilling and lifelong learning may become key not only to personal fulfillment but also to strengthening the fabric of local communities.
Source: KTV NEWS
