Child care and elder care regimes in Japan

Abstract

Japan has one of the lowest fertility rates (1.37 in 2009) and one of the highest proportions of seniors (22.1% in 2009) in the world. Pronatalist policy reforms have been developed in recent years, which call into question long-standing assumptions about the provision of care by the state, the market, non-profit organisations and the family. This article examines how the balance of the four poles of the “care diamond” is changing in terms of financing and providing elder and child care in Japan. We begin by briefly explaining the foundation of social care and Japanese social policy development, which is the background of the current policy agenda for child and elder care in Japan. We then explain the current elder and child care policies, and examine the results of the government's plan of “defamilialisation”.

Keywords:

• Japan
• care regime
• child care
• elder care
• defamilialisation

Notes

Notes

1. These organisations are, in practice, “quasi-government organisations”. However, under the Social Welfare Service Law, they are categorised as private organisations, distinct from public (state) organisations.

2. “Medical health and welfare services” have played a vital role in coping with the declining birth rate and the ageing society. Since there will undoubtedly be a significant growth in the demand for such services in the future, they must become more efficient. Public sectors must develop new policies and revise current ones to create an economy and society with freedom and vitality. A recent slogan – “from public to private: the government market's opening to the public sector” – suggests that public services (e.g. healthcare, welfare, education, agriculture and labour) are being targeted for structural reform.

3. Home-based care services include services such as domiciliary care services, home visit nursing services, short stay and daycare services.

4. Calculated from the General report of institutions and agencies providing care services, 2001 to 2009 (MHLW, 2001–2009a).

5. See note 4.

6. Figures from each year of the School basic survey (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science & Technology, 2010).

7. Figures from various years of Situation of licensed daycare centers (MHLW, various years).

8. “Authorized child centres” (comprehensive facilities integrating early childhood education and child care) were introduced in October 2006. Direct contracts between users and providers, and grants for users are the next stages in this reform, strengthening the private sector's role.

9. A parent receives 30% of salary during leave, and 10% of salary after leave.

10. MHLW press release, 16 July 2010. Retrieved July 18, 2010, from http://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/houdou/2r9852000000civ3-img/2r9852000000ciwk.pdf