This article examines the transport problems experienced by Japan's elderly population in rural areas. Since Japan's economic recovery in the 1960s there has been a mass population shift, mostly of young people, from rural areas to the large cities. The Japanese recognise that the elderly have knowledge and experience which can contribute to society and that there is a need to create a suitable environment for the aging population. Social interaction, or the ability to travel safely and independently, should be seen as an essential need. Depopulation results in a decline in the number of public transport users, leading to a drop in business and cuts in sevices. As a result people switch from public transport to private vehicles, accelerating the decline of public transport sevices. The article includes a case study of two adjacent villages, Kurohone-mura and Azuma-mura, in a mountainous region 3 hours journey from Tokyo. This shows that people over 65 are dependent on rail or a ride in a family car for the bulk of their journeys. The suggested solution is an integrated bus service (including welfare and school bus services), with taxi-sharing or carpooling in areas of insufficient demand. Safe roads for elderly drivers is seen as the long-term solution.
Abstract