Abstract:

The problem of providing housing for the aging society is and has been a key issue in Japan. In the year 2020, 25% of the population will be 65 years and older, which will then place Japan in the challenging position of being the world's most aged country. Since the speed of growth is so rapid, Japan is facing the serious problem of having to provide in a short time the buildings and living units that will be suitable for the use of those elderly persons.The Ministry of Construction has played a major role in the implementation of the policy measures for the provision of living units which have been specifically designed to meet the needs of the elderly. These meaaures have included the supplying of public housing for sale or for rent by the Housing and Urban Development Corporation and the financial assistance through housing loans, with interest subsidy by the Japan Housing Loan Corporation. Some of the measures date back to as early as 1964, when the general design guidelines were issued for the purpose of housing the elderly. This paper examines the various policy initiatives that have been taken and proposes some possible solutions.