NYT: The Face of Poverty Ages In Rapidly Graying Japan

[iyara]

Wow

Comments

[congogirl]

I didn't read the entire article, but this problem has been looming for a long time. It is sad that a better solution has not been found. Almost ten years ago when I studied there, we talked about the economic situation for seniors, in terms of the burden on children as well. An only child married to an only child equals a husband who works long hours and a wife who is responsible for care of 4 aging parents and 8 aging grandparents (potentially). And it seems that ageism in employment is a corollary to sexism - ceilings on advancement of women, limiting their options because they'll leave to have babies in a couple years anyway, etc.

[iyara]

Yes I know, it is an odd flip side to how other articles celebrating the Japanese diet as contributing to longevity. I think many countries will approximate this demographic pattern in the next few decades...