Japan’s Policy Response to the Upcoming ‘Numerous Deaths’ Era

Abstract

Having become a super-aged society and now on track to see both the proportion of the elderly population and the number of deaths among the elderly reach their peaks in 2040, Japan is making national efforts from various angles in preparation for the upcoming era of ‘numerous deaths.’ The Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare has launched Advance Care Planning to help individuals prepare for their deaths in advance. Japan’s long-term care system and health insurance are supplemented with end-of-life care programs to ensure that individuals nearing the end of life are cared for both at home and in institutional settings. Additionally, the Japanese government has expanded its hospice housing, which combines the features of home and medical care facilities, to offer individuals more choices regarding where and how they would die with dignity. These initiatives may offer valuable insights for Korean policymakers, particularly in shaping end-of-life care programs.