Category: Elderly

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 15, 2023 Number of comments0
Crime Elderly Japan Technology

Japan police to launch new unit for tackling scams targeting elderly

Japanese police plan to launch a new unit based in the Tokyo metropolitan area next spring to investigate the rising number of scams nationwide that often target the elderly, with the new team to involve police officers from across the country, officials said Saturday.

The envisioned unit is expected to have more members and a larger role than an existing team that was established in 2005 to tackle so-called special fraud cases, covering scams such as the swindling of elderly people by impersonating their children and asking for urgent money transfers over the phone.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 26, 2023 Number of comments0
Coronavirus COVID-19 Disability Elderly Japan

Japan may have entered 9th COVID-19 wave says virus expert Shigeru Omi

Japan may have entered its ninth wave of COVID-19 infections, an expert who served as the government’s top coronavirus adviser said Monday, stressing the importance of protecting vulnerable elderly individuals from the disease.

“A ninth wave may have started,” Shigeru Omi told reporters after meeting with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to discuss the recent nationwide increase in infections after the government eased countermeasures, including downgrading the legal status of the disease to the same category as seasonal influenza in May.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 11, 2023 Number of comments0
Disability Elderly Japan Technology

Japan making efforts to bridge digital divide between young, elderly

According to a public opinion survey on smartphone usage conducted by the government in 2020, less than 10 percent of those between the age of 18 to 59 responded that they “hardly use” or “do not use” such devices.

In contrast, the percentage of those saying they hardly use their smartphones rose substantially for older generations, standing at 25.7 percent of those aged 60 to 69, and 57.9 percent of those aged 70 and above.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt May 11, 2023 Number of comments0
Disability Elderly Japan Nursing Care

Japan to Review Foreign Worker Regulations to Ease Labor shortage in Care Sector

The Japanese government is considering expanding the scope of duties foreign carers can perform to alleviate chronic labor shortages in the nursing care sector, it has been learned.

The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry plans to review current regulations, including a rule that blocks foreign workers from conducting home visits.