Successful aging in a rural community in Japan / Kimiko Tanaka, Associate Professor of Sociology, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, James Madison Univeristy, Nan E. Johnson, Professor Emerita, Department of Sociology, Michigan State University.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Tanaka, Kimiko, author.

Johnson, Nan E., author.

Contributor:

John G. Hartman Memorial Library Fund.

Series:

Carolina Academic Press ethnographic studies in medical anthropology series

Ethnographic studies in medical anthropology series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Rural older people--Japan--Social conditions.

Rural older people.

Aging--Social aspects--Japan.

Aging.

Population aging--Japan.

Population aging.

Aging--Social aspects.

Social conditions.

Japan--Rural conditions.

Japan.

Rural conditions.

Physical Description:

xxii, 168 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm.

Place of Publication:

Durham, North Carolina : Carolina Academic Press, [2021]

Summary:

"This book discusses the aging populations in rural Japan. The plan of the book is as follows: In Chapter 1, we describe how rural Japan has changed socially and demographically. We explain how rural depopulation has led to political consolidation, and how the welfare system in Japan is placing more responsibility and autonomy on the municipalities. Some rural towns in Japan, such as Kawanehonchō, are actively responding to the demographic challenges initiated by municipal governments that have the advantage of developing unique programs reflecting the voices of local residents. Chapter 2 describes Kawanehonchō, explains how it became a rural depopulated town, and discusses why the town provides an important example to understand and discuss rural aging comparatively. In Chapter 3, we review theoretical frameworks (collective efficacy theory and social capital) to understand the inseparability of successful aging from the quality of neighborhoods and communities. We explain our research methods in Chapter 4. In Chapter 5, we examine Kawanehonchō with secondary data. Chapter 6 summarizes the findings based on observations of activities provided for the elderly in this town, and Chapter 7 sheds light on rural aging through the eyes and words of its leaders. Chapter 8 presents our findings from our survey of elders participating in two community programs developed locally and specifically for them. Finally, in Chapter 9, we discuss the possibility of net inmigration of older adults to Kawanehonchō, and Chapter 10 includes discussions on challenges in rural depopulation and healthy aging"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Machine generated contents note: ch. 1 Rural Japan

- Facing Demographic Challenges

Causes and Consequences of Dramatic Postwar Fertility Decline

Understanding Rural Aging through "seken"

Government's Response to Rural Depopulation

Greater Responsibility for Municipal Governments in Promoting Healthy Aging

The Importance of Uniqueness in Understanding Rural Aging

Summary

ch. 2 Kawanehoncho: Structural Support for Rural Aging

Kawanehoncho: An Attractive Rural Town for Elderly People to Age in Place

Getting Further Insights on Kawanehoncho Based on Recent Censuses

Structural Support for Healthy Aging

Overview of Kawanehoncho Municipal Welfare Office (Yakuba)

Overview of the Kawanehoncho Council of Social Welfare (Shakyo)

Grassroots Programs Supporting the Elderly

ch. 3 Social Capital, Collective Efficacy, and Elderly Vitality

Collective Efficacy and Social Capital

The Need for Qualitative Study beyond the West

ch. 4 Research Methods and Data Collection

Surveys Conducted by Municipal Welfare Office and Kawanehoncho Council of Social Welfare (KCSW)

Secondary Data Obtained from Shizuoka Prefecture

Observation of the Activities, Facilities, and Programs

Interviews with Local Leaders

Survey of the Elderly Participating in the Programs

Interviews of People Newly Migrated to Surrounding Areas

ch. 5 Identifying Strengths and Challenges through Existing Surveys

Identifying the Needs through the Survey and Focus Groups by KCSW

Learning from Surveys

- Kawanehoncho Municipal Office

Frequent Use of Surveys to Improve Organizations

Learning from the Survey Conducted by Shizuoka Prefecture

ch. 6 Connecting the Elderly to the Neighborhood Community

Genki Hatsuratsu Kyoshitsu at Salons

Carer's Cafe

Ikigai Day Service Center (IkiDay)

Konagai Salon Hustle

Quoits Tournament and the Exercise Group (Genki-Up)

ch. 7 Interview with Local Leaders

Otagaisama

Local Festivals

Emphasis on Life Course Perspective in Providing Care for the Elderly with Dementia

Taking a Walk in Other People's Shoes

Importance of Not Making Assumptions

Concerns for the Future

ch. 8 Understanding Characteristics of the Elderly Participants

ch. 9 Elder Migration and the Future of Rural Japan

Rural Inmigration (I-turn) in Japan

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs)

The Possibility of a CCRC in Kawanehoncho

Who Are the Newcomers?

Signs of Young People's I-Turn to Kawanehoncho

ch. 10 Rural Depopulation and Healthy Aging

Revitalizing Rural Towns

Recommendations for Future Research.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the John G. Hartman Memorial Library Fund.

Other Format:

Online version: Tanaka, Kimiko. Successful aging in a rural community in Japan

ISBN:

9781531018610

1531018610

OCLC:

1250429806