Centre for Policy on Ageing



Social inequality under a new social contract — long-term care in Japan
Author(s)	Misa Izuhara
Journal title	Social Policy & Administration, vol 37, no 4, August 2003
Pages	pp 395-410
Keywords	Poverty ; Family care ; Services ; Health services ; Long term ; Health insurance ; Insurance [elderly] ; Japan.
Annotation	The 1990s saw the beginning of new developments in the social policy agenda of Japan. A combination of further cuts in social expenditure and increases in financial resources through various means has become inevitable in response to the increasing cost burden of an ageing society, the prolonged recession and changes in the Japanese family. In this context, long-term care insurance ("kaigo hoken") was introduced in 2000 to increase revenue and fill the gap vacated by the family. This paper first explores the role of the new scheme in creating social inequalities among individuals and families. Second, based on qualitative research, the paper examines how the new scheme has transformed the relationship between older people and their families who have played a central role in this arena. It is apparent that this scheme has not only responded to fill the existing care gap, but may also help accelerate the changes that have been taking place for the last two decades. (KJ/RH)).
Accession Number	CPA-030723210 A
Classmark	W6: P6:SJ: I: L: 4Q: WPG: JG: 7DT
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