The news covers the rising issue of a helper shortage in Japan, focusing on a particular 77-year-old caregiver who is expressing concerns about their situation. As younger staff members become increasingly scarce in the workforce due to various reasons, those left behind, particularly older helpers, are confronted with increasing demands and substantial stress. The article sheds light on how this problem is exacerbating the strain on the already overwhelmed social care sector and the broader societal implications this shortage carries.

Japan is facing an alarming demographic shift with a rapidly aging population and a declining birth rate, leading to a severe labor shortage, especially in the social care sector. Ensuring the well-being of the elderly, specifically those who are carers themselves, aligns with long-standing values of respect and support for the elderly in Japanese society.

Unlike Japan, the US and EU have a comparatively balanced population pyramid and have less pressure on their social care sector. However, increasing aging populations in these regions too have begun to highlight the importance of adequately staffed and resourced elderly care.