Burden of care: Ageing in urban Japan and China, the family and the State

This thesis examines how rapid demographic, social and economic changes are impacting on traditional care for the urban aged in China and Japan as both experience world record rates of ageing caused by greater longevity and lower birth rates. The challenge for their governments is to foster active contribution by the healthy aged to society and protection for the frail aged. China lags behind Japan in special treatment for senior citizens. The manner in which these two countries handle the ageing of their populations could provide valuable lessons for Australia in the future.