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Virginia Tech

Change: Retirement in Japan and the Resulting Challenges for Japanese Adult Education

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

The population of Japan is aging faster than any other country in the world. By the year 2020, one in every four people in Japan will be 65 years or older. Because of this demographic shift in society, a new era is emerging that will see far-reaching changes in adult educational initiatives. As this post-World War II generation retires from the workforce, these retirees and older adults of Japan must meet the challenge of living productive and active lives for a possible twenty to thirty years beyond retirement. Many are healthy and active, and want to continue to participate in educational or lifelong learning activities and to enjoy new leisure pastimes and hobbies. They are self-reliant and do not want to become burdens to their families or society. As one of the most education-conscious countries in the world, one way that Japan must meet the challenge of this aging population is by expanding adult education programs. These programs must meet the needs and goals of retirees and older adults and must assist them in transitioning and adjusting to the challenge of continuing to learn, of maintaining a high quality of life, of achieving self-fulfillment, of remaining active, and of being a contributing member of society. Meeting the challenge of change is a significant opportunity for both aging individuals and providers of adult education in the future.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Human Development
Department dc:contributor.department
Human Development
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
1999

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Repass, Mary Eva
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Combs, Letitia A.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Wiswell, Albert K.
  • Combs, Paul William

Subjects

dc:subject × 6

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-080299-145701
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/34315

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
related terms
citation

Repass, Mary Eva. Change: Retirement in Japan and the Resulting Challenges for Japanese Adult Education. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/34315