In order to maintain the vitality of society in the face of a declining population, it is necessary to create an environment in which elderly people who wish to work can do so.
The government has released the results of a survey on economic life for people aged 60 and older. The rate of respondents who answered that they would like to work even after age 65 was 60%, including 20% who said that they want to work "as long as possible while they can."
In Japan, the low birthrate and aging population are causing concern about future labor shortages. If healthy elderly people are able to work as long as possible, and that can lead to an increase in the number of people who support society, it becomes more likely that social security can be sustained.
It is also expected that the number of people who earn an income will increase, stimulating consumption.
The challenge is how to improve the working environment for people in their late 60s. According to the survey, 90% of men and 60% of women in their early 60s are working, while in their late 60s, the percentage drops to 60% for men and 40% for women.
In April next year, under the revised Law on Stabilization of Employment of Elderly Persons, companies are obliged to make efforts to provide employees with employment opportunities until the age of 70.
Major home electronics retailer Nojima Corp. has introduced an employment system that allows all employees to work until the age of 80 if they wish. Even after retiring at 65, they will be employed in such capacities as temporary employees on one-year contracts. Work patterns and pay will be determined according to each individual.
If the employment of elderly people is continued, it may be necessary to review the overall personnel and wage systems. It is hoped that each company will sufficiently discuss the matter with its labor union and promote discussions on the review.
Some small and midsize firms lack the know-how to improve their systems for that purpose. The government has established a mechanism to subsidize the cost of designing such systems, and this should be made widely known to encourage companies to improve.
There are large differences in physical strength among elderly individuals. Companies should allow elderly employees to work flexibly so that they can adjust their working hours and days, while paying attention to managing their health. Work-related accidents such as falling during work are also likely to occur. It is important to create a safe workplace such as by eliminating uneven floors in passages.
There are also many people who want to be reemployed by another company after reaching retirement age. The government has set up counters to help people who want to continue to work throughout their lives find jobs at 300 locations among Hello Work public job placement offices nationwide.
At the Hello Work counters, advisers draw up lifelong employment plans for job seekers and ask them about their desired occupation, income and work style. At the same time, Hello Work officials ask local companies to help them find jobs suitable for the elderly. A fine-tuned response to requests from elderly job seekers is the key to their reemployment.
There are various options for the elderly, such as starting a business based on their past experience, or working for a venture company or a nonprofit organization. The central and local governments and companies need to further devise ways of utilizing the knowledge and ability of elderly people.
-- The original Japanese article appeared in The Yomiuri Shimbun on Sept. 2, 2020.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
