生涯現役社会 高齢者の活躍の場を増やそう

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Increase opportunities for elderly to remain active in aging society
生涯現役社会　高齢者の活躍の場を増やそう

The average Japanese life expectancy stands at 80.5 years for men and 86.83 years for women. Both are projected to rise even more in the future. This will herald the era of 90-year life spans.
　日本の平均寿命は、男性８０・５歳、女性８６・８３歳だ。今後も延びると予測される。人生９０年時代の到来である。

On Monday, Respect for the Aged Day, we should rejoice in the fact that Japan has become one of the world’s leading nations in terms of longevity.
　敬老の日のきょう、世界屈指の長寿国となったことを、改めて喜びたい。

Those aged 65 and over account for more than 25 percent of the overall population, and this figure is expected to reach 40 percent in 2060.
　総人口に占める６５歳以上の割合は２５％を超え、２０６０年には４０％となる見込みだ。

With Japan’s society aging faster, such serious problems as a shrinkage in the workforce and swelling expenses for social security programs have arisen.
　高齢化が進むに連れて、労働力人口の減少や社会保障費の膨張など、深刻な問題も生じている。

It is important to increase opportunities in which the elderly who want to work can exhibit their ability so they can actively help support society. The creation of such a “society in which people actively contribute through their whole lives” will hold the key for Japan to overcome the ultra-aging of its society.
　意欲のある高齢者が、能力を発揮して活躍できる場を増やし、社会の支え手になってもらう。「生涯現役社会」の実現が、超高齢社会を乗り切るカギとなる。

Fifty percent of those in the 35-64 age group want to continue working after 65. Aiming for the creation of a society in which people can actively contribute their whole lives will help enrich the lives of the elderly and financially stabilize their daily lives.
　６５歳を超えても働きたいと思っている人が、３５～６４歳の５割を占めている。生涯現役社会を目指すことは、高齢者一人一人の生活を充実させ、経済的に安定させる上でも重要だろう。

With the enforcement of the revised Law for the Stabilization of Employment of Elderly People in April 2013, all employees are allowed to stay on the payroll until they turn 65 if they want to. Yet the present reality is that work opportunities for those aged 65 and over are limited.
　１３年４月に改正高年齢者雇用安定法が施行され、希望すれば６５歳まで継続雇用されるようになった。だが、６５歳以降の就労機会については限られるのが現状だ。

A report compiled in June by a study panel of the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry proposed measures to promote the continued employment of those aged 65 and older and to boost support for skills development and the reemployment of middle-aged and older people, with an eye to the realization of a society in which people can actively contribute their whole lives.
　厚生労働省の検討会が６月にまとめた報告書は、生涯現役社会の実現に向け、６５歳以上の継続雇用の促進や、中高年の能力開発・再就職の支援強化を打ち出した。

More company opportunities

More businesses are keeping people on after they reach 65 by having them use their knowledge and experience to serve as advisers for young workers and allowing the elderly to work flexible hours to suit their lifestyle. We hope businesses will promote such measures in conformity with their needs.
　高齢者の知識や経験を生かし、若手の指導役にする。本人の生活パターンに合わせた柔軟な働き方を認める。こうした工夫で、６５歳以上を引き続き雇用する企業が増えた。各企業が実情に応じた対策を進めてもらいたい。

Changes in the consciousness of workers are also important. To remain active in their later years, workers must make clear plans while still young and continually work to enhance their skills.
　働く側の意識改革も重要だ。長く働き続けるには、若いうちから将来設計を明確にし、能力の向上に取り組む必要がある。

It is also important to create labor markets in which middle-aged and older people can change jobs more easily.
　中高年が転職しやすい労働市場の形成も求められる。

The elderly differ greatly from person to person in terms of health and economic status. To meet their diverse needs, it is essential for local governments, in cooperation with such entities as local economic organizations and nonprofit organizations, to build a system that can cultivate jobs for the elderly.
　高齢者は、健康や経済力の面で個人差が大きい。多様なニーズに対応するには、自治体が地域の経済団体やＮＰＯなどと連携し、高齢者向けの仕事を開拓する体制作りが欠かせない。

It will also become a challenge for society to reinforce the functions of human resources centers that offer light work and other suitable jobs to elderly people.
　軽作業などの働き口を提供しているシルバー人材センターの機能強化も課題となる。

The government of Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, has created job opportunities for elderly people in the farming and welfare sectors, under the concept of “offering jobs to help elderly people make their lives worth living.”
　千葉県柏市は「生きがい就労」として、農業や福祉の仕事を創出し、高齢者に提供している。

The prefectural government of Fukuoka has established a center to help elderly people find jobs or take part in volunteer activities until they reach the age of 70, or even older in some cases.
福岡県は「７０歳現役応援センター」を開設し、高齢者の就労やボランティア活動を手助けしている。

These efforts should help solve local problems, by, for instance, making up for labor shortages in nursing care and child care.
　介護や保育分野の人手不足を補うなど、地域の問題解決にもつながる取り組みだ。

Expanding opportunities for elderly people to take an active role in society will also prevent them from becoming isolated in society and declining to the point that they need nursing care.
高齢者の活躍の場を広げることは、孤立防止や介護予防にも有効だろう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 21, 2015)