The Hidden Crisis of Elderly Poverty in Japan
A Quiet Struggle for Survival
When people think of Japan, they often envision bustling cities, ancient traditions, and economic prosperity. Yet beneath this polished exterior lies a hidden crisis affecting Japan’s most vulnerable populations: its single mothers and its elderly. While these groups seem worlds apart, their struggles are strikingly similar. Japan’s elderly and single mothers both face overwhelming societal expectations, financial hardships, and isolation, battling to survive in a system that doesn’t always support them. These shared struggles were a focus of my documentary, The Ones Left Behind: The Plight of Single Mothers in Japan, and, tragically, they mirror the silent struggles now facing Japan’s aging population.
In fact, much like their younger counterparts, older single women face growing risk of poverty in Japan where over 30% of those 65 or older fall below poverty line after death of their spouses. If you have seen my documentary you’ll know that poverty is defined by the OECD as half of the country’s median income, which in Japan means that those earning roughly $20,000 USD a year or less fall into the poverty bracket. Over 50% of single parent households fall into this. The graph below is from the OECD and is quite striking.
The Parallels Between Elderly Poverty and the Plight of Single Mothers
In The Ones Left Behind, we explored how single mothers in Japan face a unique set of challenges. They often have limited financial support, face discrimination, and must balance multiple jobs to provide for their children. Similarly, Japan's many of elderly are trapped in a cycle of poverty and isolation, left to survive on small pensions or low savings, often without family support. Both groups are striving to survive in a society where they’re largely invisible, fighting to maintain dignity despite economic and social pressures.
As with single mothers, elderly Japanese people often live on the fringes of society. Japan's traditional family structure has weakened, and younger generations are less able to support aging relatives due to their own economic struggles. For both single mothers and the elderly, isolation becomes an unintended consequence of this societal shift, leaving each to navigate a world that seems to have moved on without them. This from the Borgen Project:
Home to an elderly population of 18.1%, Japan boasts one of the highest life expectancies in the world, at 81 and 87 years for men and women respectively. According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Japan is expected to maintain and grow this high life expectancy. Since 2008, when Japan’s population peaked, it’s gradually been decreasing and aging as the number of elderly increases and the rate of births slow. Those older than 65 comprise 28.4% of the population—a number that’s projected to reach 35.3% by 2040.
Japanese society has long held high expectations for individuals to be self-reliant and contribute to the collective. In The Ones Left Behind, we saw how single mothers in Japan face intense pressure to provide a stable home for their children, often with little outside support. Likewise, elderly people who were raised in post-war Japan carry a similar burden of pride and self-reliance, hesitant to reach out for help. Many elderly individuals endure harsh conditions in silence, choosing poverty and isolation over the shame of asking for assistance—a struggle single mothers also face as they juggle work, parenting, and societal expectations. Seniors here in Japan are preparing to work for as long as it takes and are re-entering the workforce, taking up low paid jobs in order to survive.
This deep-rooted cultural pride pushes both single mothers and elderly Japanese to remain resilient in the face of hardship, but it also means that they are less likely to seek the help they need. For both groups, pride becomes both a shield and a trap, preventing them from accessing resources that might improve their lives.
In The Ones Left Behind: The Plight of Single Mothers in Japan, we uncovered the difficult decisions single mothers often face, from working long hours in low-paying jobs to forgoing essentials so their children can have a better life. Similarly, some elderly Japanese have turned to unconventional, even heartbreaking solutions. In recent years, elderly poverty has led to a rise in petty crimes committed by the elderly, who see prison as a way to secure food, shelter, and some form of stability. Like single mothers who sometimes take on grueling jobs to make ends meet, these elderly individuals are forced to make unthinkable choices just to survive.
The idea that prison could become a refuge for Japan's elderly population reflects the severity of their isolation and financial struggles, similar to how some single mothers work endless hours without respite or support. Both groups are resorting to extremes, highlighting just how dire their situations have become.
The Social Isolation of Japan’s Elderly and Single Mothers
One of the most striking themes in The Ones Left Behind: The Plight of Single Mothers in Japan was the isolation that single mothers experience, struggling on the margins of society with little social support. This isolation is also evident in Japan’s elderly population, many of whom live alone with limited or no contact with family members. A trend that I briefly talked about in the film that started post post is the story of Japan’s rural villages emptying out. With younger generations moving to the cities, elderly residents are left to fend for themselves, sometimes going weeks without seeing another person.
The phenomenon of kodokushi, or "lonely death," is a tragic reminder of this isolation. Many elderly Japanese die alone, only to be discovered days or weeks later. While kodokushi isn’t a problem that single mothers face in the same way, the loneliness and sense of abandonment are universal experiences that both groups share. Isolation in any form is devastating, eroding mental health and making it even harder for these individuals to improve their situations.
Just as we highlighted the resilience and challenges of single mothers, we must bring similar awareness to Japan's elderly, who are quietly facing hardships of their own. Recognizing the shared struggles of these vulnerable groups is essential for creating a more inclusive society. Japan’s government has begun to implement some programs to address these issues, such as support networks for single mothers and neighborhood care programs for the elderly. Yet, much more is needed. Addressing financial insecurity, expanding affordable housing, and creating social support systems that foster community are vital steps.
Breaking down the stigma around seeking help is essential. Just as single mothers are finding ways to form community networks and access resources, there is hope that similar approaches can help Japan’s elderly. Programs that connect isolated individuals, offer community centers, and provide volunteer support could go a long way toward alleviating this crisis.
The phrase “the ones left behind” captures the essence of the struggles faced by both single mothers and the elderly in Japan. They are, in many ways, left behind by a society that has overlooked their needs. Both groups face similar hardships: financial instability, isolation, and the pressure to maintain self-sufficiency. By recognising these struggles, we can move toward a society that values and supports its most vulnerable, honoring the resilience of both the elderly and single mothers, who, despite all odds, continue to persevere.