Coping With A Super-Ageing Nation | Deciphering Japan | Episode 3/4

[@skyhope5105]

I used to look at growing old in such dark sad way. This made me to try change that. We also can make our elder days better. This such a great lesson to learn from elders

[@electroandcake6658]

exactly. me too. I always was afraid of being old. even tho im only 30. looking at them shows me what there is so much more to life than a career, youth and good looks...

[@Silenced23]

Getting older should be celebrated. Not only are you alive, but it changes you in a positive way or negative way depending on how you handle it. I used to be so afraid of getting old and dying. What helped me is when I was a little younger I loved walking around in cemeteries and watching my loved ones pass away knowing I won't be the only one. Also, when and hopefully you get to your 70s, you become more accepting and feel more calm about end of life. I'd rather die of old age naturally and fast to where I don't feel pain and maybe go in my sleep. The worst thing is and kinda off topic, is when people die from Covid in the hospital, their families can't be with them. I was in the hospital with a stomach virus and a man in his 40s died next door to me and the only people by his side was the priest and 2 nurses. Now that's way more scarier.

[@iTyler888]

4 is an unlucky number in Japan, since the pronunciation is similar to "death". How uncanny it is that a video about the aging Japanese population is 44 minutes and 44 seconds long..

[@alscott212]

😮

[@48hd38]

🙆🤦

[@ThanhNguyen-pe5rk]

This series also has 4 episodes *shrug*

[@procreatineGO]

you can pronounce is as "yon" also

[@marychan9457]

This applies to Chinese too

[@yukikurokawa2998]

as a hip hop dancer myself this is exactly how im going down!! those grandmas are soooo cool!!

[@shawnadyment]

The small towns which are dying could try a different approach, try and attract freelancers or people in society that can work remotely from their computers. Maybe a sort of training program for youth, to excel in digital work, so that moving to the countryside can be seen as an attractive option. Could be professions such as motion design, post production for film and TV, writing copy, website development, etc.

[@electroandcake6658]

true . but I think it can work only for a very well positioned or beautiful towns . no one wants to be stuck just in some random town faraway from anywhere...

[@danzena4059]

Right on! Great idea.

[@roykong7024]

Unfortunately free-lancing and being self-employed is still a foreign concept in Japan. I hope in the future it could be more accessible and seen as just as prestigious as working for a company. Were all still contributing to the society all the same.

[@shawnadyment]

@@electroandcake6658 I wouldn't say nobody wants to live in those places. Some look very picturesque! Myself, I lived in a random town far away from anything for a half year (5hr+ drive to get to a ferry to get to the mainland/metropolitan city) and it is one of my most prized memories. I worked in a small coffee shop and walked through the forest everyday. Saw many wild animals, met amazingly hospitable and warm people, and found a very peaceful way to live. Purchasing power is also a lot higher in a small town, pay very little for rent or mortgage and you can save up and travel, or buy nice things more often.

[@shawnadyment]

@@roykong7024 I didn't know that it isn't common yet there! I haven't been in a few years. I would imagine with the rise of tech, it would be more common place. Hopefully with encouragement and the younger society growing up with so many new opportunities, things could change. Do you live in Japan ? Maybe you can start an educational campaign to introduce these concepts to some of the general public or students who may not know these options are available.

[@thecheekychinaman6713]

The elderly app developer is really important - not to solve their employment problem, but to design tech oriented around seniors. It's a tough market because we don't know it!

[@DawnyAussie]

So before I watch the video, I'll just leave my two-cents. You have a society that treats their younger workers like garbage, flogging them to do overtime every day of the week. Overworked, stressed... can we really be shocked that this generation doesn't want the extra strain of having kids?

[@LOKUTA]

Do you mean that young people from other Asian countries have better treatment? Honestly, your two cents are not very accurate.

[@mirieshii1948]

@@LOKUTA I'm Asian. Yes, we are treated better than Japan treat their young generation.

[@aj-sz8mu]

@@LOKUTA im not sure if you can call it better treatment. i cant speak for all of Asia, but i can speak of the Philippines. Freedom, so much more freedom in my country than Japan. Japan has such a strict and unchanging culture. We filipinos are poorer than Japan. But we value family and friends way more than Japan does. It is not our "joy" to work from 8am to midnight. Commute does that, and we filipinos strive to get away from work. Japan's culture is just work work work, very few if any vacation at all. We have freedom on how we want to enjoy life too. Japan is strict in terms of.. well.. everything, except religion. Many of those my age (27) with families already, are not rich, don't make a lot of money at all. but they have kids and are happy. some of them are still living with their parents. we have a very diverse situation. And having freedom of not being tied to customs allow that. I'm not saying we're "better". but I personally prefer our freedom over Japan's culture.

[@Regina-ep6ql]

Same goes with Millennials and Gen Z in the West. People who don't see any future for themselves or the current society don't want to bring another soul to suffer into this world.

[@LOKUTA]

a j Philippines is still a third world country. Your country is basically still struggling. Your women are being married to first wold countrymen for money or what we like to say ”better future” and selled for prostitution/human trafficking. Are you sure you have freedom? Freedom is very hard to achieve unless you are a selfish pig. Economic freedom is easier to obtain. You only need to be rich. Which most of us aren’t. Asians everywhere have to work hard and be the model minority. So no matter where, you have pressure. At home you have pressure to do what everybody does, out of home you have pressure to fit in and avoid discrimination. Freedom is a dream we all aspire to achieve. That’s why it’s so rare.

[@robertscheer4772]

Hey everyone at CNA, this is one I really enjoyed and was shocked by. I'm 70 and my Thai wife is 71 (she hates that she is older} both of us work hard at staying fit, we walk our dogs a mile and a half 5 days a week, we run a small nursery and sell hard to find Asian plants, so we are constantly lifting bags of soil and plants weighting up 150 pounds. I understand we are lucky, because we have so much to do, it makes me wonder what the people who have little to do stay fit. We are big soy sauce users, I find it hard to believe young people are not interested in some of the thing we worked so hard to accomplish. I guess this is what the future holds for us, sad isn't it???

[@clementlumumba4824]

You will always feel empty and dissatisfied if your are identified with form(work, status, money, fame).

[@lazarusblackwell6988]

Growing old can be very sad :( But it can also be happy If we have someone to help us and if we believe in ourselves Having a positive mind takes years off your body wear and tear If you are a young person reading this comment and thinking old age will suck try to look at it another way Having a positive spirit will give you extra years to your life span and you will be stronger

[@Lisa-hj8fh]

tell that to the elderly stuck in nursing homes.

[@nohearts7319]

CNA do more of these and bring back yumi!

[@JurnaLJamaL]

Before pandemic, they already feel in loneliness. I couldn't imagine how this pandemic change the community of elderly in Japan. They could be both physically and mentally isolated

[@akas224]

Japanese old people are more weathier than common western countries. but they focused on the poorest area. they are not isolated. government take care of them. less than 2 people a day die cause of corvid 19 throughout Japan. which is 0.00000000%

[@kyleliu8491]

It looks like some of them are wearing masks so I think some of these clips are taken after the pandemic hits

[@JurnaLJamaL]

@@kyleliu8491 Wearing masker is Japanese hygiene culture even before the pandemic. How did I know? I have lived there couple years

[@JurnaLJamaL]

@@akas224 do you mean that if someone is wealthy so they cant feel lonely?

[@TheOrionpass]

@@JurnaLJamaL wealth without motivation crippled creativity that makes a human dicapitated. Senior year is beautiful . I am 65 female taking opportunity given to work(McDonald Auntie :) by my sg gov(will be removed soon to give way to the young ready for action) My attitude is prety liket this lady. You dont say hip hop..belly dancing also ok..

[@mjc11a]

Thank you Miss Araki and CNA Insider for this exceptional four-part series! I've always had an interest in Japanese history, religion and culture. These episodes are informative as they are educational. Thanks again and stay safe 🙏

[@bekkyb3225]

So many documentaries about Japan recently (so coincide with the Olympics I imagine) mostly they have been sterotyping and uncomfortable to watch but this series brings much more nuance and thoughtful enquiry. Thank you for delving a little deeper than other journalists and making a program that tries to ask good questions. More please!

[@deisy688]

I love Yumi Araki, her insights about her country from her perceptions and as a journalist is very eye opening. I hope to see more of her many insights about Japan, a country I love as well was born there but I am not Japanese.

[@doggydude4123]

If their government input and enforce pro-family policies, the problem can be fix. Policies like free daycare, paternity and maternity leave, reduce work hours for more work/life balance, and anything else that can reduce the burden of children.

[@MsEverAfterings]

@Mr Doggo it was mentioned in the part 2 of the series.

[@trackman2300]

I would agree with you

[@twist777hz]

Van Tsan It's not that simple. The Singaporean government has been aggressively promoting child-friendly policies yet total fertility rate has continued to plummet.

[@doggydude4123]

@@twist777hz It's a gamble. It may work for the Japanese and it's something they haven't tried.

[@TELEVISIBLE]

It is still very expensive to raise a kid in Japan

[@chasemarkmckenzie622]

My uncle married a woman from Tokyo and they just had a daughter! She's my Japaniece.

[@wst844]

Wouldn't she be your cousin?

[@justaclock4768]

Nice pun there

[@shenglongisback4688]

@@wst844 lol yass but im sure he knows??

[@shenglongisback4688]

@Drukstylz bruh lol

[@Blvd40]

Good one 👏

[@constancemiller3753]

The Muscle Suit is awesome tech. I have two family members who were hurt lifting people at work (nursing & physical therapy). The nurse required hernia surgery and the physical therapist retired earlier than she wished due to back injuries.

[@zenzenthaiamulethobby7109]

Thanks for sharing the aging society which is a global phenomenon now.

[@carmcam1]

0:47 , totally relate, japan perfected the ability to create the cutest things. Self control is important to not buy everything cute in japan.

[@harryabdabdullah1412]

I'm entering 64yrs old and its scary to be alone.

[@petergarcia8225]

Remember just because they are old doesn't mean you are cooler than they are, trust me on this one with all the technology today...the past was a lot cooler than you think.

[@munzatinakhamis1267]

Tqvm for this documentary.. It gave me a lot of informations and another view of aging life with uncertainty emotions...

[@MrBossisi]

I love Japan, but the way the government is dealing whit this problem makes it look like they are just delaying the inevitable and not looking for a solution...

[@clementlumumba4824]

Why do people always expect the government to do everything for them!

[@loucool1707]

what can they do? Some pro sex ad? Or maybe promote some naughty culture 🤔

[@Soulripper38]

@@loucool1707 haha. How about making it actually affordable to have children and raise a family. It's very difficult but that's the bottom line.

[@Kusunoky]

@@clementlumumba4824 is not the gov give everything but to change the rules and such. For example people dont have time to family or even have kids because of the workplace conditions and such. Also in resume in majority places in Asia if woman is married or have child even a relationship she will be less able to get the job or even impossible to get one.

[@twist777hz]

Skartuga There is no solution. It's the price a country pays for economic development. It's what's also happening in China, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, etc. Even India with its massive population is seeing rapidly declining fertility rates.

[@yodheyodhe]

I really loved this video, thanks for making it.

[@CNAInsider]

My pleasure!

[@wiggisworld7133]

10:03 yes sadly and in germany we have the same issue and we have to find a solution for it! Both countrys can learn from each other to make life better for elderys.

[@MrDKdeka]

Empire rises and declines. It's the cycle of life.

[@eddieranks]

When a bunch of Japanese old people are better dancers than you could dream of being. *cries in a corner*

[@lynf5562]

Facts!!!!😂😂😂🤦🏿‍♀️🤦🏿‍♀️🤦🏿‍♀️

[@xrayban2]

You can train your body to any activity, it is (as always) a question of time running by and priorities.

[@coveruplies]

@@xrayban2 yeah but like how?

[@coveruplies]

@@xrayban2 dance classes are expensive and trying to dance from youtube tutorials, lol how do you do that, I feel like youd be thinking you're doing it but since its just you by yourself youll be doing a crap job the whole time

[@xrayban2]

@@coveruplies I was just speaking in general, I believe almost anything is possible if you set your mind to. For instance I decided to and lost more than 10 kg since my upper post (truly), by doing some exercices daily, and mainly eating less. I didn't need to buy dietetic products or a subscription to the local gym. That was because I was locked down and had time to do set my mind to it.

[@chowngainga6739]

Like this documentary as it holds valuable lessons in understanding relationships and having progressive mindsets. 👍👍👍

[@yogiromba6516]

i just love it when they KONICHIWA at each other while the granma is still dancing...

[@v.ra.]

So much heart and compassion! As someday coming from the country with the fastest declining population (Bulgaria) this meant a lot to me.

[@katyoutnabout5943]

You covered every aspect of aging japan. Well-done!!

[@luckychonk9527]

i love old people who live without insecurity or restraint. they just do whatever they want with all the wisdom of their years. theyre like responsible hippies. They refuse to grow old quietly. So adorable!!!

[@johanfalk6536]

Very good series, I appriciate getting to watch it very much and looking forward to the last episode. Arigatou, ne!

[@jessiemesa9564]

More Japan feature, please.😁❤🇯🇵

[@ardalla535]

Japan is not getting older, it's getting better.

[@hayleybarbara1589]

LOL

[@MrSvenovitch]

This is a very intelligent reporter, who asks all the right questions. I think I might be in love hahaha. 😍

[@chetzek3237]

another amazing documentary being served to me once again

[@Kiijoww]

The Japanese are very passionate no matter what they devote to!

[@escobargameslatam]

i love this series i have been hooked

[@seafoam7843]

I like anything CNA JAPAN!

[@thabangtlou9325]

Excellent Insight on the Population Decline Impact in Japan.

[@samueltan2757]

10:04 out of sight, out of mind, wow such a deep word

[@leehyunsong7001]

Every few years people make this topic a documentary but Japan still Japan, one of the richest and developed country.

[@righteouscastle]

can't believe this is free

[@MrChacha2011]

wow, wow, wow, what a great doc.

[@1urbanbaker]

Really inspiring, thank you!

[@trivatha]

wow, another side of Japan. Interesting episode

[@MONi_LALA]

For the dying towns, I would advertise the beautiful scenery, low stress, slow life style to the urban ppl who might want to escape the harsh environment of the big cities. I would also secure a place of work for them. Be it farming or local projects. I would think a lot would be very interested

[@33Jenesis]

Some Japanese millennials had moved to countrywide to do farming. However, number isnt enough. Unfortunately japan’s immigration policy is anti foreigners.

[@jason41a]

1. people can live a really long time and relatively healthy in japan 2. they can pursue whatever they want that's fun for them. dancing, etc. but somehow i feel sad seeing this. i feel like their youth was stolen by corporatism, seniority, traditional value, etc. and they are able to really "live" when they are already old.

[@larsjonasson2959]

Youth is wasted on the young.

[@eddenoy321]

You got it right.

[@petergarcia8225]

Some of the things that the youth missed is their teachings from thier elders of how they became an Artisan Country. All the youth knows this day is technology. We are all lead to believe that this is the only form of success. What happens with the world without technology, who will be there to pass the techniques of the first innovative skills of Japan. Who will receive and who will pass on the fire?

[@nelmaakino6706]

Thanks for sharing book of life in Japan it learned me a lot constantly day by day and now a become Blogger I'm trying hard to do so

[@missbebop7941]

Wuu thanks for upload~

[@CNAInsider]

No problem 😊

[@TheYah00netstar]

*Japan is a nation far ahead of it s time...they have developed technologies that is incomprehensible to most of us...to catch up with them is practically impossible...If Japan ceases to sell certain chemicals and components the world experiment a halt...all that thanks also to the strong alliance with the U.S.*

[@QuangNguyen-iq4tt]

Badass hip-hop teams😎

[@MJ-uk6lu]

Imagiine as foreigner coming to Blue Ocean Cafe thinking that it's just a normal random cafe in town.

[@akancactus]

Hi, you didn’t talk about the immigration policy to help with the aging society and economy.

[@suohfgh803]

It's funny , in Italy we wear red underwear on new year eve for good luck.

[@trese2658]

Girl how did you let the elder out dance you! .....lol that was cute : )

[@liluhus1215]

Thats what i said

[@syafiqulinnuha]

her face expression just gold

[@serenityssolace]

This part on the other hand was great

[@srtj.av.2556]

The app developer lady just wow!

[@Watchmaty]

Granny should do free style too

[@jomalinsdiary9373]

The way she talk and the syle of ducomentation reminds me of Lisa J Ling of Cnn.

[@dachosenone207]

The guy who jokes Wakamiya-san to make an app. Wakamiya makes one.

[@sangsara]

COVID and the ability to work from anywhere may wind up saving those small towns by letting the kids stay on after graduating.

[@cestmoi5702]

I love that bicycle bus, can anyone tell me what they are called or send information for how to build one, please? I would like one in my town. Thank you.

[@aabens]

The growing elderly population is not only a japanese problem, most western countries also suffer from the same phenomenon.

[@Tampa0123456789]

Exactly.Living in Florida in America is very similar. The actual cities aren't too bad but once you go few minutes into the outskirts you see lots of older people. 20 - 30 years these areas had lots of young families now those areas are dead. Rarely do you see kids and if you do it's the grand children's. I can only imagine this on a world scale.

[@imikimi2009]

Exactly. This is an eye opener. Who's going to continue the work that the older generation has been doing for years?? We can't rely on technology alone for life. Skilled and talented people are now old and some dying. They should pass their knowledge thru our generation or else it will be long gone. This is the job that the youth needs to do and not the corporate job we aim.

[@coveruplies]

if you're not old, you do it then

[@petergarcia8225]

When you get to an age of elderly, wouldn't you want to see or still experience what some of your daily routines. This is why they always need help in the retirement and elderly community.

[@garlicgirl3149]

I looooooooved the dancing group! Hey, if you got it flaunt it. LOL! On another note Japan should not feel alone. US and a couple other countries are in the same boat. They should get together and figure out what are some good tactics to help people. I find here no one wants to put a business in a suburb or rural area. Only in big cities. Maybe the lure of affordable housing. Also, craftmanship. I have chatted with many of artisans here that cannot find young folks interested. Sadly, if you cannot find anyone in your country you may have to go elsewhere...to keep the skills alive. It would be a shame to have them die.

[@joelradasa3360]

It is really good for Japan that they still maintain the culture and tradition amid depopulation along the countryside.

[@goognamgoognw6637]

Oh Yumi is so cute at the end dancing with the expert dancer grand ma. ^ ^

[@reverendbluejeans1748]

Quick and nimble :( she is only ten years older then me

[@petergarcia8225]

Don't take away there joy in life help them get to them while they are still able. Taking them to parks and shows is the best way to welcome them and as well as they welcome yourself in their lives.

[@exanoid1]

This is sad. I would make an IT company where the marketing are located in Big City where the programmers will just stay in such a remote place. That way, they can still work and still populating those remote places. Well this is just one of an example, since this is the only thing that came to my head.

[@lindatullos9430]

lol I love this dancing group. They are so cute.

[@MYHelen143]

If they can get young families, and develop libraries, schools, nurseries, stores in the area it would be more appealing. Even starting a small Japanese hotel something to draw tourist would be good too.

[@SpoonieSensei]

I would give anything to "inherit" anything even like a Japanese farm. no joke. maybe the oldest app developer can make an app that connects Japanese towns that need people with people who are looking to come to Japan for just that. if the barriers to entrance were not so stringent, I am quite sure Japan would not be facing this issue. or perhaps you could work with the existing structure and utilize the possibility of adoption for foreign residents; I just do not understand that if you can speak and understand (read and write) Japanese, why there should be any barrier to entry, but there really is a serious problem therein. I mean, I honestly cannot articulate how badly I would love to be able to "apprentice" with any one of these craftspeople 職人 (if I got that right!) or others and just to be able to help perpetuate what has been Japanese culture for thousands of years to future generations. like ... I would give up everything if I could do that, if I could carry on brewing soy sauce, or whatever the art might be. that and I would love to help the disabled. I am sure there is a way to tackle both issues simultaneously. but I would more than willingly take on any of these "legacies" just to keep them going.

[@Tampa0123456789]

@@tehniyahkhalid Exactly but how ironic that their attempt to keep their country pure has now backfired and is litterly killing them. America did well by allowing outsiders. I know America has extra space compare to Japan but immigration doesn't have to be a negative thing.

[@geetacc]

It's so sad about what happening to Japan elders.

[@anacarolinarosalino]

the bad thing about this documentary is that it ends up… does this journalist have a KZbin channel? she is great, as well as beautiful.

[@JR-mi8ry]

Yes ageing it's a huge topic

[@mahdiyussuf9804]

I'll take a free house in the countryside! LOL

[@haziqmasamasendai2557]

i love the at house at highland.... all d best

[@thomasgrey6309]

@40:13 Hmm... In a country where almost everyone is cremated, what is the reasoning for the coffin experience?

[@oscarp4328]

The government should intervene to preserve those unique crafts.

[@Altair_Ibn_La_Ahad]

17:18 Reminds me of Call Of Duty: Advanced Warfare Nice documentary. 🙂👍🏻

[@vlatkokun]

Scary connection between two meanings of the same word "shukatsu", one being "end of life preparation" and the other "job hunting season" which sadly prepares young people for a period of 40+ years of hard work and physical exhaustion which can sometimes lead to "karoshi" or "death from overwork". Maybe It's just me seeing the connection that isn't really there but I just thought I'd share it to see what other people think.

[@LuizAlexPhoenix]

Great documentary in pretty much all senses, it's educational and entertaining. It made me think about my own old age and older people in general. Living in a country with lower live expectancy and quality standards only makes it more poignant to see older peoole struggling, specially when they are alone. The only thing that makes me uneasy, I know is a cultural difference but it makes me feel weird, is how Japanese people always hum along to one another or something like it, probably to show the speaker that they are listening in and paying attention. Sometimes it feels like when a boss is looking over my work or someone that isn't actually listening or understanding but keeps nodding just to play along. I would probably stop talking and just stare at them, if someone was speaking to me or acted like that while I was speaking to them.

[@DengueBurger]

Good video.

[@yolovideos8084]

6:33 ged it GRAN MAMA

[@UNscenefuture]

This sucks. I've wanted to go to japan since the 90s. I guess I gotta get serious and make this trip sooner than later. It's sad that tradition and culture is leaving with the elderly. But this is human nature. We're here for a time and then one day we're gone...

[@DengueBurger]

I think her expressions are pretty different from ordinary Japanese people. Maybe if she let them know beforehand that she makes such expressions to entertain the audience, they wouldn’t be made uncomfortable by them.

[@hezekiahthompson6817]

I always appreciated Japanese architecture and craftsmanship, plus I'm a suburban American, so I crave living in nature (and having a car, haha). I would personally like living in the Japanese countryside, especially if people practically want me to live there.

[@Luminousplayer]

if you could make sure that remote locations had decent to good internet, they could be attractive to people that can do remote work.

[@TokyoPaul]

84! That's the goal.

[@gfang3694]

SUMMER DANCE FOREVER! Are there dancers out there!!!

[@MrHammad2011]

The host is kinda cute, love her expressions.

[@huyenanh5800]

They're so cute ♥️ Wish I can grow old that way.👘

[@denzelb1333]

Yooo i like that suit🤯

[@avail1.]

elderly next phase in life, is to retire, go fishing, lunch, etc.

[@danzena4059]

Who wouldn't want to live in Okutama? I get it, its not convenient for everyone but I think its important that we start going back to not having everything so convenient for us.