Japan’s aging crisis highlights struggles of elderly women

According to its recent article, South China Morning Post features the tale of an 81-year-old Japanese woman, who sought stability in prison due to a lack of family support.

A Japanese grandmother who intentionally broke the law to secure free housing in prison has drawn attention to the country's aging population issue, sparking a lively conversation on Chinese social media.

The story comes from Tochigi Women’s Prison, the largest women’s prison in Japan, located north of Tokyo. The facility, which houses around 500 inmates, includes a significant elderly population, with one in five prisoners being senior citizens.

Staff at the prison assist the elderly inmates with basic tasks such as bathing and eating, creating an environment similar to a nursing home.

The prison operates under a strict daily schedule, with inmates waking up at 6 a.m. and lights out at 9 p.m.

An 81-year-old woman, identified only as Akiyo, who has been incarcerated twice for theft, discovered an unexpected sense of stability while in prison.

“There are very good people in this prison. Perhaps this life is the most stable for me,” she said.

Akiyo’s first imprisonment occurred in her 60s when she was caught stealing food. Later, relying solely on a meager pension that arrived every two months, desperation led her to steal again.

“I made a poor decision and shoplifted, thinking it would be a minor issue. If I had been financially stable and had a comfortable lifestyle, I definitely would not have done it,” she said.

Akiyo also faced a lack of support from her family.

Prior to her imprisonment, she resided with her 43-year-old son, who frequently voiced his desire for her to move out, which deepened her sense of hopelessness.

“I felt like I did not care what happened anymore. I thought, ‘There is no point in me living,’ and ‘I just want to die,’” she said.

In October 2024, after completing her sentence, Akiyo was released from prison, but she struggled with feelings of shame and the fear of being judged by her son.

“I am afraid of how he might perceive me. Being alone is a very difficult thing, and I feel ashamed that I ended up in this situation. I really feel that if I had a stronger will, I could have led a different life, but I am too old to do anything about it now,” she said.

Akiyo’s story sheds light on the difficulties Japan is experiencing due to its aging population.

Government statistics show that in 2022, over 80 per cent of elderly female prisoners were incarcerated for theft, and the number of inmates aged 65 and older was nearly four times higher than in 2003.

Takayoshi Shiranaga, an officer at Tochigi Women’s Prison, stated that “For many elderly inmates, prison is preferable to dying alone outside,” noting that some elderly would willingly pay 20,000 to 30,000 yen ($130 to $190) monthly to stay in prison if they could.

By Naila Huseynova