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The Silver Market Phenomenon pp 325–337Cite as

Japan’s Population Aging and Silver Industries

Abstract

The “aging problem” should not be viewed as an economic encumbrance. It is better viewed in the context of the robustness of the economy. Expansion of the carrying capacity of the active labor force, as well as active aging among older adults, will decrease the burden on society. This chapter draws out social and cultural implications of demographic changes in the context of Japan’s transformation from a Fordist to post-Fordist economy. The distinction shifts attention to the social organization of technology-based service industries. The growing number of older persons and senior households means immense business opportunities for developing new solutions, products, and services. Older adults are potent consumers, willing and economically able to maintain independent living and a high quality of life. This chapter discusses a number of emerging silver industries, including housing and real estate, food, pets, robotics, senior care appliances, and the funeral market.

Keywords

  • Real Estate
  • Baby Boomer
  • Independent Living
  • Service Robot
  • Consumption Capacity

These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology, University of Missouri–St. Louis, St. Louis, USA

    Chikako Usui

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  1. Chikako Usui
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Studies (DIJ), German Institute for Japanese, Kioicho 7-1, Tokyo, 102-0094, Japan

    Florian Kohlbacher

  2. AB Technologie-,Innovationsmanagement, TU Hamburg-Harburg, Schwarzenbergstr. 95, Hamburg, 21073, Germany

    Cornelius Herstatt

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Usui, C. (2011). Japan’s Population Aging and Silver Industries. In: Kohlbacher, F., Herstatt, C. (eds) The Silver Market Phenomenon. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-14338-0_24

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