Ageing policy

Australia/Japan - A comparison of aged care in Australia and Japan December, 2000

The aged care systems in Australia and Japan have developed in different geographic, demographic, economic, historical and cultural settings.

PDF printable version of Australia/Japan - a comparison of aged care in Australia and Japan December, 2000 (PDF 480KB)

Undertaken during the 1999 International Year of Older Persons, this study will assist the reader to understand how the two countries care for their aged citizens and provide an insight into the challenges each country will face as their populations age. Our aged care systems have developed in different geographic, demographic, economic, historical and cultural settings. These differences are seen most clearly in the living arrangements for older people and the provision of informal care. Nevertheless, both countries face similar challenges as our men and women live longer and both our populations continue to age. As such, there are many opportunities for us to share our experiences and learn from each other.

The introduction of the Long Term Care Insurance scheme in Japan is a substantial structural shift in policy and planning for aged care to address pressures from population ageing. In Australia, the broader social and economic implications of population ageing are being addressed through the development of a National Strategy for an Ageing Australia.

We would like to thank the two lead researchers under this Partnership: Professor John McCallum, Dean of the College of Social and Health Sciences at the University of Western Sydney, Australia, and Professor Ryoji Kobayashi, Professor in the Humanities Department at Tokyo Metropolitan University, Japan. They and members of their research teams have worked collaboratively to draw together a comprehensive picture of the aged care systems in the two countries.

We commend this study for its useful insights into the differences and similarities between the aged care practices of Japan and Australia. Sharing this information will assist our two Governments and others with professional interests in this area.
If you are unable to download the PDF file please send an email to: acc@health.gov.au for a copy to be sent to you.
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