A government white paper released 2nd June, showed that 25.6 million Japanese were 65 years or older as of October 2005. This represents the first time that this age cohort has exceeded 20% of the total population, and means that Japan and Italy are developed nations with the oldest populations.

The paper predicts that by 2015, this senior population will reach 26%, making Japan a "super-aged" society where more than one in four is 65 or over. The Cabinet Office defines a population with more than 7% being 65 years or older as "aging," and this becomes "aged" when the figure exceeds 14%.

On a positive note, the paper says that it is vital to realize a society where the elderly can make use of their abilities. A survey in 2004 revealed that over 40% of non-working men between 65 and 69, and over 25% of women in that bracket were willing to work.

This contrasts sharply with, for example, some European countries where a very low percentage of retirees are willing to take on further work.