Impact of a low birthrate and aging society
According to the country’s Statistics Bureau, Japan’s population numbered just a little over 123 million in January 2025. But by 2070, the population could decline to as few as 90 million, with 39% of the population being 65 years or older, creating a critical imbalance between demand for elder care and the available supply. At the same time, the nation faces three concerns of health, nursing care, and retirement finances as a result of the shifting demographics, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable solutions.
I myself am also juggling caregiving for three parents—my own and my wife’s—while working full-time, so as a working caregiver, I feel this is not someone else’s issue but a challenge that anyone could face.
In Japan, there is a nearly 10-year gap between average life expectancy and healthy life expectancy (the number of years a person is expected to live in good health), creating a health deficit. Similarly, a nursing care deficit highlights the worsening gap in supply and demand for nursing care, while most of the same people also experience hardships from rising costs needed for life after retirement. Addressing these is becoming ever more critical.
A partner in Japan’s era of elder care
As Japan moves toward an era where elder care impacts the entire population, when we consider not only the age group that needs care today, but also the age group that may potentially need nursing care at any time, we saw that as much as 100 million people will soon require nursing care. Confronted with this social challenge, the Sompo Group is using data to “connect and be connected” not only within our businesses and services but also with our customers, leveraging assets in our life insurance and nursing care businesses to address challenges linked to the three concerns.
Deep connections across life stages
The Sompo Group has developed a comprehensive framework of nursing care solutions within its life insurance and elder care offerings, aimed at helping customers and their families lead secure and fulfilling lives. These initiatives provide continuous, attentive support, covering everything from policy enrollment to senior living. Services also include elder care consultations, exclusive benefits, and access to a “care concierge” to simplify direct insurance payments to elder care facilities.
A specific example of how we promote health and fitness among our customers is through the partnership with RIZAP Group. We offer AI-powered predictions of health risks based on health checkup results and behavioral change, connected to the life insurance and health checkup businesses. Then customers can use RIZAP Group’s nationwide fitness club, chocoZAP to enhance both cognitive and physical functions while building greater health awareness.
These initiatives aim to improve overall wellbeing and empower individuals to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. As a runner who personally enjoys marathons, I have high hopes for encouraging behavioral change founded on data and the positive impact this can bring.
The Sompo Group’s focus on enhancing wellbeing as a business is built on our aim to “connect and be connected,” increasing touchpoints across all stages of customers’ lives and fostering deeper, more enduring relationships. In doing so, we seek to create a society that embraces aging and supports individuals throughout their health journey.
