What Can We Take as Reference from Japan’s Community Elder Care Information?
Japan has information such as “Kaigo no Hi” (Long-Term Care Day), community gathering and exchange places, and visiting measures at elder care facilities. These can serve as references for community-based elderly care services and daily caregiving by family members in China, but it should be noted that Japanese systems are not equivalent to Chinese policies.
Machine translation of our Chinese article, without human translation review. Suggestions concerning China remain specific to China.
Chinese fact summaries and suggestions for China (not a full translation)
Original: 介護・高齢者福祉 ｜厚生労働省 · Original language: ja
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Facts from the sources
The long-term care and elderly welfare page of Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare lists explanatory materials on the long-term care insurance system for people aged 40 (Category 2 insured persons), published in the March Reiwa 6 edition. View source
On September 18, 2026, Japan announced the first provisional allocation notice for the Community Medical and Long-Term Care Comprehensive Security Fund (long-term care portion) for fiscal year Reiwa 8. View source
The limit on the residence fee burden in long-term care insurance facilities, etc., changed as of August 1, Reiwa 6 (2024). The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has issued a leaflet for public awareness. View source
Japan has designated November 11 as “Kaigo no Hi” (Long-Term Care Day). View source
Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has made public a dedicated website called “Chiiki ga Ikiiki! Atsumarou! Kayoi no Ba” to promote community gathering and exchange places. View source
The page contains measures concerning the implementation of visits at elder care facilities. View source
For older people and families
Japan has designated November 11 as “Kaigo no Hi” (Long-Term Care Day). On such a day, family members can have more discussions about care arrangements for older relatives.
Japan has a website called “Kayoi no Ba” that promotes gathering and interaction among older people in the community. In China, family members can pay attention to whether their residential area or community has similar activity spots.
Japan’s visiting measures for elder care facilities are worth using as a reference. Family members can express their wish to visit more to the facility and communicate in advance about how visits will take place.
The residence fee burden under Japan’s long-term care insurance has changed. This is limited to Japan. Before an older person in China enters a facility, their family should ask in detail about the itemized costs such as bed fees and nursing fees.
Japan provides explanatory materials on long-term care insurance to people aged 40 and over. China does not have this system. Family members should learn about beneficial local policies such as long-term care insurance.
See what care and community teams can do
The experience of Japan’s “Kayoi no Ba” can be used for reference in organizing regular gatherings for older people in the community. But it is necessary to first survey site safety, the age structure of participants, and fire safety, and report it to the local management unit for the record.
Japan’s long-term care insurance-related systems and the limit on residence fee burden apply only to Japan. Facilities in China must implement current national and local regulations on charging and supervision of elderly care services.
The reference value of visiting measures in elder care facilities lies in the appointment process, visit duration, and psychological support for older people. However, implementation must comply with China’s management norms for elder care facilities and local epidemic prevention requirements.
Communities can, according to local actual conditions, open activities such as “day care” or “elderly canteens”. For specific subsidies and operating conditions, they should consult the civil affairs department and cannot directly copy the Japanese model.
What needs local assessment
The facts above all come from the relevant pages of Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. They are provided only as overseas reference information and do not constitute Chinese policies or service commitments. The specific contents and participation conditions of long-term care insurance, residence fee burden, and community gathering places must be checked in the original Japanese materials. Any community activity or care facility visiting arrangement in China must comply with local laws and regulations, and be verified by professional departments such as civil affairs and health authorities. Source: Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (see the original article link). This website has adapted and compiled the content based on the original facts; it is not a translation produced, approved, or published by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The Japanese system is not equivalent to the Chinese system.
Sources
Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and WelfareWas this article helpful?
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