Primary care and medical education for Japan’s ageing population

Abstract

Primary care and medical education for Japan’s ageing population Prof Junji Haruta from Keio University highlights Japan’s ageing population, focusing on challenges and innovations in primary care, plus medical education. Japan has announced in its latest population estimates that the ageing rate for those aged 65 and above has reached 29.0% (Cabinet Office, 2023). This marks a 12-year consecutive decline in Japan’s total population, positioning it as the country with the highest proportion of elderly worldwide. A significant study predicts that by 2040, over 27% of Japan’s elderly population will face limitations in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) and social functions (Chen et al., 2016).