PM Kishida Instructs Cabinet as ‘care leavers’ Become an Issue in Japan’s Aging Society

From NHK

November 13 2023

TOKYO – Prime Minister Kishida has instructed his cabinet ministers to quickly study the need to prevent “care leavers” from quitting their jobs for nursing care or nursing reasons, with the aim of submitting the necessary amendments to the law in next year’s ordinary Diet session.

In an effort to strengthen measures against dementia, the government has established the “Council for Realization of a ‘Happy Aging Society’ Facing Dementia” with the participation of people affected by dementia and their families, and has been promoting discussions on the issue.

At the meeting held on November 13th, the Council held hearings with representatives from companies that have many employees who work while caring for family members with dementia, as well as companies that support the creation of places for people with dementia to work.

In response, Prime Minister Kishida stated, “It is important that there are places close at hand where people can fulfill their wishes to continue working and contributing to the community even if they have dementia,” and instructed Minister Takemi and others to consider specific measures to encourage companies to respond.

Regarding measures to prevent “leaving the nursing care workforce,” he said, “It is an urgent issue to make the working families aware of the support system for balancing work and nursing care, and to create an environment that facilitates the use of the system. I hope that you will quickly reach a conclusion so that we can submit a bill in the next ordinary Diet session,” he said, instructing the ministers concerned to proceed with the study.