In an incident that highlights the population crisis of aging in Japan, an elderly woman deliberately committed crimes to secure space in jail so that he could live for free, abandoned. According to a report by 81 -year -old woman, recognized as Akio South China Morning PostAlready after stealing food, it has been jailed twice for theft, while she was in the 60s and later repeating it when it became difficult to survive on pension.
Akiyo was recorded in Japan’s largest woman jail, Tochigi Women’s Jail, located north of Tokyo. It has about 500 prisoners, most of which are elderly.
Akio said, “I took a bad decision and thinking that it would be a minor issue. If I had become financially stable and had a comfortable lifestyle, I definitely didn’t do it,” Akio said , Reflecting its dislocation.
“There are very good people in this prison. Perhaps this life is the most stable for me,” he said.
Prior to the jail sentence, Akio lived with his 43 -year -old son, who did not want to stop and often asked him to leave. After his release in October 2024, she was struggling with shame and fear about her son’s decision.
“I’m afraid how he can see me. Staying alone is a very difficult thing, and I feel ashamed that I have finished in this situation. I really feel that if I had a strong will, then I could lead a different life, but I am very old to do anything about it now, “he said.
A jail official highlighted the fact that for elderly prisoners, it was better to die alone for the elderly prisoners, several rupees to pay Rs 11,200 to Rs 16,800 (20,000 to 30,000 yen) monthly to pay monthly. If they could be in jail if they could.
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Japan’s aging population
According to government data, the number of people in Japan 65 years or older hit a record high of 36.25 million in 2024, making it one of the fastest societies in the world. The elderly are now 29.3 percent of the total population of Japan, a new high.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications stated that Japan was placed at the top of a population of over 100,000 in the list of 200 countries and regions in proportion to elderly residents.
