Daring to Take On Female Roles: Japanese Male Retirees as Volunteer Carers

In the 1990s, several Japanese men established organizations that incorporate volunteering to provide new directions for older Japanese after retirement. They have encouraged male members to become involved in care work, traditionally the preserve of women. The time that these individuals give to others while in their active third age entitles them to reciprocal help in their frail fourth age, satisfying traditional Japanese ideals of reciprocity.This paper examines the life of the founder of one of these groups, Takahata Kei'ichi, his organization NALC, and some of the older men within NALC who have become volunteer carers. These individuals are adding support that goes beyond that provided by the long-term care insurance scheme, while gaining personal satisfaction from feeling useful. The post-retirement years can encompass moving beyond previous roles to take on new ones that benefit both the individual and society. The rapid ageing of the Japanese population has been portrayed as posing a threat to the economy, but this view overlooks the contributions retirees can make in their communities. Moreover, the acknowledgement that men can assume the tasks of carers could be said to represent a fundamental shift in the way male and female roles are viewed in Japan.