Lecture: "Shortage of Human Resources in Japan's Super-Ageing Society: Challenges for Health Care Industries"

On January 30th our Director - Head of Research, Dr. Manami Hori performed a Lecture called: "Shortage of Human Resources in Japan's Super-Ageing Society: Challenges for health care industries". The lecture tackled the complex issues of Japan’s declining birth-rate and how it impacts shortage of manpower, especially in the health care and elderly care sectors. This year marks the well-known term ‘the 2025 problem’, which refers to the year when the post-war baby boom generation will be aged 75 or older, as well as the target year for various policy issues related to social security, such as medical care, nursing care and pensions.

Dr. Hori presented various research results showing just how affected the different sectors both within and without the health care industry have been and will continue to become. The target for policy issues is shifting to 2040, when the second baby boom generation will reach retirement age. However, if the 2025 problem isn’t properly handled Japan will face even more adversity moving forward to the 2040 mark, meaning even more serious measures will have to be taken.

While Dr. Hori confirms the need for a long-sighted plan focusing on the declining birth-rate, her research increases the awareness of the major impact this is already having today. For Japan, she argues, must face the issue of human shortage already occuring before it can prepare itself for even more disparity in age amongst the coming generations.
 
This was Dr. Hori’s last lecture here at the Tokai University European Center before her travel back to Japan here in mid-March. Many colleagues of hers showed up as well as other associates within the health care research area. Tokai Alumni Association members were also attending this Lecture, as well as other friends of Tokai and some members of the Denmark Japan Association.

H.E. Ambassador Mr. Uyama was also present at the Seminar and was so kind as to say a few words about Dr. Manami Hori and her stay in Denmark whilst doing her research and working as a Director for TUEC. Another speaker at the Seminar was Chairman of the Tokai Alumni Association Board, Sam Kondo Steffensen, who also had a few things about Dr. Hori’s stay in Denmark and all that she has done to help the Center and the Tokai Alumni Association. Lastly, Dr. Hori’s colleague and friend Professor Theis Lange, spoke about how Dr. Hori has actively participated in and enhanced the research at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at Copenhagen University.
 
We at TUEC are extremely grateful for Dr. Manami Hori’s stay in Denmark for the past two years and all her contributions, especially those regarding the fostering of both old and new collaborations, as well the expansion of mutual understanding between researchers across cultures - paving the way for a hopeful future through strengthening the bonds between our nations.
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We would also like to thank everyone who attended the Lecture both in person and online, and everyone who has been actively involved in assisting Dr. Hori’s endeavor’s here in Denmark leading up to this last big event greeting her farewell before her return to Japan.