Measuring the Institutional Capacity of Older Volunteer Organizations in Japan: Comparative Study with the United States

Abstract

Volunteerism as a civic engagement activity for older adults has grown considerably around the world as countries face population aging and prolonged longevity. The ability to recruit older adults from diverse backgrounds and sustain their activities are some of the challenges facing a super-aging society like Japan. Whether Japanese volunteer organizations have the institutional capacity for the recruitment and retention of their older adults is not known. This study tests the measures of institutional capacity of older volunteer organizations developed in the United States and contextualizes the findings from Japan by drawing a comparative perspective with a study conducted in the United States. The findings show a nuanced development of the institutional capacity of older volunteer organizations in Japan by history, culture, and policies, and provide valuable insights and lessons that transcend borders.