Social inclusion of senior citizens in Japan: an investigation into the ‘Community-based Integrated Care System’

Abstract

ABSTRACT Over the last decades, social inclusion has become a significant factor in social policy programmes in most countries of the world. It has been endorsed through various directives of international organisations and then implemented by numerous national governments. The relatively vague nature of the concept may facilitate this present prevalence, since it makes it easily adaptable to distinctive features of different societies. However, translating the term and implementing it into political practice might involve several problematic issues. This paper focuses on the so-called ‘Community-based Integrated Care System’ (chiiki hōkatsu kea shisutemu) as an example for the adaption of social inclusion in Japanese social policy programmes. The ‘Community-based Integrated Care System’ has been gradually introduced in Japan since 2006 as a part of the reformed Long-term Care Insurance Law. Building upon field studies which were conducted in a major commuter city in the Greater Tokyo Area, the paper presents contradictions between the theoretical framework and the practical implementation of the new policies. It is argued that the proposed model can lead to the construction of an effective local welfare system, but that it does not necessarily empower the local residents.