ABSTRACT
Introduction Japan has been well known for its rapid economic development since the 1960s. Today, considerable attention is paid to Japanese social policy because of its ageing population. The changes in the population structure, as well as family and household arrangements, have resulted in drastic changes in social security and care policy for older people. This chapter will examine Japan’s policy developments in these areas over recent years. First, key demographic trends are summarised. Second, several policy areas are examined, including long-term care insurance (LTCI), the most important social care system for older people. Through these analyses the chapter aims to show how Japan has expanded social care arrangements in the face of rapid population ageing but has also faced a number of financial problems.
