BACKGROUND: Elderly population in Japan was 14.5% of whole population in 1997, it is estimated 27.4% in 2025 and 32.3% in 2050. Average life span in 1995 was 76.8yrs for men, 82.5yrs for women Now Japan can be called by a society of advanced age, so there can be so many economic and welfare problems to be resolved. METHODS: Increasing of the advanced aged and the life span is calling for Japan to take a fundamental countermeasures for aging welfare policy. RESULTS: Aging welfare policy is changed from poor relief and selective one to general and universal one. For example, delivery system of welfare service is changed from one-way service supply system by administration to service utilization system by person with needs. CONCLUSION: The objects for service is focused not only at low income peoples, but also at all members of nation regardless of incomes. And medical health service is also focused not only at treatment of disease before, but also at councelling and care for improvement of health.
Aged ; Aging* ; Female ; Health Services ; Humans ; Japan* ; Male