Aging Population
South Korea, China, and Japan agree on AI-driven health cooperation
Imeripotiwa na AI Picha iliyoundwa na AI
Heads of health authorities from South Korea, China, and Japan agreed to bolster trilateral cooperation on universal health coverage and mental health using AI and digital technologies at the 18th Tripartite Health Ministers' Meeting in Seoul. The pact comes amid diplomatic tensions between Tokyo and Beijing over Taiwan. The dialogue originated in 2007 from joint efforts on pandemic influenza preparedness.
The Japanese government adopted its fiscal 2026 budget bill on Friday, allocating a record ¥39.06 trillion for social security-related expenses, an increase of ¥760 billion from fiscal 2025. This rise reflects growing medical and nursing care costs due to an aging population. However, efforts to ease the health insurance premium burden on the working generation remain limited.
Imeripotiwa na AI
The number of single-person households in South Korea reached a record high of 8.05 million by the end of 2024. This accounts for 36.1% of all households, with projections indicating the trend will continue amid low birth rates and an aging population. Data from the welfare ministry's social security factbook also shows seniors aged 65 or older surpassing 10 million for the first time, marking entry into a super-aged society.