Gender roles and social policy in an ageing society: the case of Japan

Throughout history, the Japanese state has been mainly focused on its industrial and economic growth, leaving little room for the development of social policies. Consequently, the Japanese welfare system has relied on the informal care families provide to their members, especially the elderly. Today, however, the increase of women’s participation in the workforce and the decrease in Confucian-inspired family values have together created significant changes in the gendered division of labour as some women have started to question the traditional caring role. This article explores how recent demographic, social and economic factors have contributed to changing gender relations and eventually drawn attention to the relevance of social care in welfare state development. It explores two specific social policies (i.e. the long-term care insurance and the promotion of a gender-equal society) with which the government has tried to respond to the challenge of an ageing society. Finally, the last section highlights the relevance of the Japanese case for anticipating the future of welfare states in ageing societies.