The World Bank’s recently released report “Live Long and Prosper: Aging in East Asia and Pacific” finds that 36 percent of the world’s population ages 65 and over, or 211 million people, live in East Asia, the largest share among all regions. According to the Report, which also reflects Japanese experience, East Asia is aging faster than any other region in history, and some middle-income and wealthier economies could lose as much as 15 percent of their working-age population by 2040. With support of Japanese researchers and experts, the report examines how aging may affect the drivers of economic growth in Japan and the region, as well as patterns of public spending. It reviews current policies and provides recommendations on how countries with diverse demographics can address challenges in the labor market, social security systems, and health and long-term care.

Taking the opportunity of report launch, Philip O’Keefe, Lead Economist, Social Protection and Labor Global Practice will address the current policy environment including pensions and social security health, and long-term care and labor markets in Japan and the region, and panel discussion will address aging society and economic prospects in Japan.

Program:

Remarks

Yasusuke Tsukagoshi, Special Representative, Japan, World Bank Group

Speech

Philip O’Keefe, Lead Economist, Social Protection and Labor Global Practice, World Bank

Presentation Material: Live Long and Prosper: Aging in East Asia and Pacific (PDF)

Commentary

Yohei Takahashi, Deputy Director, General Affairs Division, Health and Welfare Bureau for the Elderly, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan

Presentation Material: Policies on population ageing: Long-term care insurance system in Japan and international cooperation on Active Aging in ASEAN (PDF)

Shintaro Nakamura, Senior Advisor on Social Security, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

Presentation Material: JICA’s cooperation on aging in Thailand (PDF)

* This session will be recorded for later viewing.

Related:

Press Release
Womb-to-Tomb Policies Needed to Tackle Labor Force Decline (12/09/2015)

Report
Live Long and Prosper: Aging in East Asia and Pacific (PDF)