In Japan, community-based agencies known as Silver Jinzai centers allow retirees and older residents to stay active through part-time work opportunities for anyone aged 60 or older. In Tokyo's Komae neighborhood, 85-year-old Makiko Kimura enjoys interacting with children at a local candy shop. These centers number more than 1,300 nationwide, with over 670,000 members.
With about one in three adults in Japan now over retirement age, community agencies like Silver Jinzai centers support part-time employment for seniors, offering both personal fulfillment and economic advantages. The term 'jinzai' means 'personnel' in English.
In the residential neighborhood of Komae, Tokyo, 85-year-old Makiko Kimura staffs the Komamon snack and candy store about once a week. On her days off, other members from the local Silver Jinzai center take over. 'At the candy shop, I have so much fun talking to the children,' Kimura says. 'I don’t have kids of my own, so getting to interact with them is a great joy.'
The Komae Silver Jinzai Center is one of more than 1,300 such branches across the country, open to anyone aged 60 or older seeking part-time work. It boasts more than 670,000 members nationwide. These hubs address challenges like depopulation, aging populations, and extended life expectancy by enabling seniors to remain engaged in society and contributing to the economy.