An Analysis of the Physical and Mental Care Functions and Other Roles of Japanese Nonprofit Organizations for the Elderly
Download PDF
$currentUrl="http://$_SERVER[HTTP_HOST]$_SERVER[REQUEST_URI]"

Keywords

NPO
Elderly care
Japan
Aging society

DOI

10.26689/ssr.v7i4.10460

Submitted : 2025-04-09
Accepted : 2025-04-24
Published : 2025-05-09

Abstract

NPOs, or nonprofit organizations, play crucial roles in today’s society that cannot be replaced by the government or laws. Japanese nonprofit organizations are active in various fields such as social welfare, culture and education, environmental protection, and international activities. Against the backdrop of the continuously rising aging rate in Japan, the care of the elderly has become a social issue that cannot be ignored. Relevant organizations within Japanese NPOs play an important role in elderly care, providing care for the elderly both physically and mentally. At the social level, the existence of NPOs complements government functions and promotes community harmony. Studying the care functions of Japanese NPOs for the elderly can help China prepare for the coming of a severely aging society in the future.

References

Hu P, 2015, The Role of Nonprofit Organizations in Japanese Social Governance. Social Governance, 2015(1): 148–153.

Hu P, 2018, The Emergence, Development, and Role of Japanese Elderly Care NPOs. World Affairs, 2018(23): 20–21.

Hu P, 2013, The Role of Nonprofit Organizations in the Social Development of Japan. Nankai Japanese Studies, 2013(1): 42–80.

Yang YN, Wang XX, 2021, Experience and Enlightenment of Japanese Nonprofit Organizations’ Participation in Community-based Elderly Care Services: A Case Study of the “White Cross Home Volunteers Association” in Tokyo. Social Security Studies, 2021(6): 65–72.

Tian XL, 2013, The Development Status, Legal Environment, and Social Contributions of Japanese Private Nonprofit Organizations. Japanese Studies, 27(2): 66–72.

Sen N, 2022, Congratulatory Letter from Chief Director Sen Nakata of the Japanese NPO “The World”. International Understanding, 2022(1): 71.

Tsuru Y, 2021, Congratulatory Letter from the Japan NPO BELLPO-KAI Social Training Association. International Understanding, 2021(3): 54.

People’s Daily, 2017, “Long-Term Care Insurance System”: A Temporary Measure for Japanese Social Elderly Care. July 12, 2017,

People’s Daily, 2022, China is Expected to Enter a Stage of Severe Aging Around 2035, and the Elderly Population Aged 60 and Above Will Exceed 400 Million. September 20, 2022.

Cabinet Office of Japan, 2023, Survey on the Actual Situation of Citizens’ Social Contributions in Fiscal 2022 (Reiwa 4). September 29, 2023.

Cabinet Office of Japan, 2024, Survey on the Actual Situation of Specified Nonprofit Activity Corporations in Fiscal 2023 (Reiwa 5). March 28, 2024.

Cabinet Office of Japan, 2024, White Paper on the Aging Society 2024 (Reiwa 6 Edition). June 21, 2024.

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, 2024, About the Long-Term Care Insurance System. March 21, 2024.

Yu ZC, 2019, Research on the Participation of Japanese Welfare NPOs in the Provision of Elderly Care Welfare-Represented by Nursing NPOs, thesis, Southwest University of Political Science and Law.

Ministry of Civil Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, 2024, National Aging Undertakings Development Bulletin 2023. October 11, 2024.