第14回高齢化作業部会における山中大使ステートメント

I would first like to thank Madam Chair, the other bureau members and the secretariat for organizing this session.

With the world's population aging rapidly, Japan has one of the highest rates of aging in the world; nearly half of all households have someone aged 65 or older, and the number of older persons living alone is on the rise.

Under these circumstances, the focus area of this year's working group is highly relevant to Japan and a very timely topic.


Madam Chair,

A healthy and stable living environment is an essential foundation for daily life.

From the perspective of ensuring stable housing for older persons, Japan has been working hard to supply quality housing for older persons, to promote the construction and remodeling of housing that takes into account the independence and care of older persons, and to strengthen coordination between housing and welfare policies.

In addition, in order to ensure that the quality housing can be passed on to the next generation, Japan has made efforts to promote assistance for the planned acquisition and improvement of housing owned and occupied by older persons and to meet their needs to live in their housing.


Madam Chair,

Japan has been comprehensively promoting community development that takes older persons into consideration so that all people, including older persons, can live safely and securely and participate in a society where their rights and dignity are upheld.

We have been promoting barrier-free public transportation, removing barriers to mobility and widening sidewalks, and improving steps, inclines, and the slopes of sidewalks to increase safety.

Japan adheres to the key principle of the SDGs, “leaving no one behind,” and continues to work tirelessly on policies for older persons.


Madam Chair,

As a country with one of the highest population percentages of older persons, when considering the way forward on the issue of aging, Japan considers it important for each country to continue to steadily implement existing frameworks, such as the Madrid Action Plan, rather than to discuss the creation of new frameworks, including a new international legal instrument.

In this context, I hope that this session will be a valuable opportunity to share good practices, preparing us to respond adequately to the challenges faced in an aging society.

I thank you.