Japan’s elderly now constitute 29.3% of population, a new high

Deepening crisis: Japan is facing a steadily worsening population crisis, as its expanding elderly population leads to soaring medical and welfare costs, with a shrinking labour force to pay for it. — AFP

The number of people in Japan aged 65 or older hit a record high of 36.25 million this year, government data shows, as the country contends with one of the world’s fastest-ageing societies.

The elderly now account for 29.3% of Japan’s total population, also a new high, according to data released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on Sunday.