Japan’s Solution to Its Labor Crisis? Hire More Workers Over 70​

Most articles you might read about the crisis caused by Japan’s aging population is usually coupled with some mention of the many ways technology is being designed to address the problem through workplace automation or robotic in-home elder care. Now it seems some employers are landing on a surprisingly unexpected solution: hire more workers over 70 years old.

This solution shouldn’t feel so innovative. After all, as people live longer, their capacity to work for longer also increases. In addition, having work to do can offer a sense of purpose as well as combat the social isolation that affects many people as they get older. In other words, this is one of those rare stories of a solution that can address many problems simultaneously. If only it weren’t solely considered by companies as a last-ditch option driven by desperation.