Japan's centenarians falling through the cracks

[n2doc]

A recent case of a woman accused of collecting the pension of her dead father, who would have been 111, has sparked an effort to account for all the thousands of centenarians on Japan's rolls. As society changes, many are living, and dying, alone.


By Kenji Hall, Los Angeles Times
September 5, 2010


Reporting from Tokyo — It all started with the case of Sogen Kato.

At 111 years old, Kato was thought to be one of the oldest people in a country that venerates the elderly and boasts a life expectancy that is among the highest in the world.

But in late July, police found Kato's mummified corpse in a bed at the home where he died — more than three decades ago. His 81-year-old daughter hadn't reported his death, and allegedly had pocketed more than $100,000 in pension payments, authorities said.


Within days, it was clear that Kato wasn't the only centenarian who wasn't exactly where Japanese thought he was, or even still alive. Officials now say that they are unable to account for more than 1,000 of the country's 40,399 listed centenarians. In addition, news reports have told of government officials who allegedly failed to log deaths in Japan's ubiquitous family registries, and old people who died years ago alone and unnoticed.

The revelations have been a shock for a country that pays special homage to its elderly, even dedicating a national holiday for them: Respect for the Aged Day.

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http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-japan-centenarians-20100905,0,3821839.story

[Odin2005]

1. This is very sad.

:(

These folks should be honored for their wisdom from such long lives. We have the same problem in this country, we worship youth, and ignore the wisdom of old folks.

[dkf]

2. $100,000 over 30 years? That is a pension?

Yikes.

[Swamp Rat]

3. Yeah, how does one live on approximately $3,000 a year in Tokyo?

That would barely pay for cat food and potable water.

So much for honoring the elderly.