Japan's Ageing Crisis: Why Are Elderly Turning To Prison Over Freedom?

In a stark reflection of Japan's ageing population crisis, an 81-year-old woman named Akiyo deliberately committed crimes to secure a place in prison, where she could live for free after being abandoned by her family. According to a report by the South China Morning Post, Akiyo has been jailed twice for theft—first in her 60s when she stole food and later when her pension proved insufficient for survival.

A Desperate Choice: Crime for Survival

Lodged in Tochigi Women's Prison, Japan's largest facility for female inmates, Akiyo is one of many elderly individuals seeking stability behind bars. The prison houses nearly 500 inmates, a significant proportion of whom are elderly, reflecting a troubling societal trend.

Reflecting on her actions, Akiyo acknowledged that her decision to shoplift stemmed from financial distress rather than criminal intent. "I made a poor decision and shoplifted, thinking it would be a minor issue. If I had been financially stable and had a comfortable lifestyle, I definitely would not have done it," she admitted.

For her, prison life offered a sense of security that she lacked outside. "There are very good people in this prison. Perhaps this life is the most stable for me," she added, highlighting the paradoxical comfort she found in incarceration.

Before her imprisonment, Akiyo lived with her 43-year-old son, who was unwilling to support her and frequently urged her to leave. Upon her release in October 2024, she struggled with shame and uncertainty about reintegrating into society.

"I am afraid of how he might perceive me. Being alone is very difficult, and I feel ashamed that I ended up in this situation," she confessed. "I really feel that if I had a stronger will, I could have led a different life, but I am too old to do anything about it now."

Prison: A Refuge for the Elderly?

Takayoshi Shiranaga, an officer at Tochigi Women’s Prison, noted that for many elderly inmates, incarceration was a preferable alternative to dying alone. Some were even willing to pay between ¥20,000 and ¥30,000 (approximately ₹11,200 to ₹16,800) per month to remain in prison if given the option.

This growing reliance on prison as a safety net reflects Japan's struggle to support its ageing population, many of whom face loneliness, financial insecurity, and lack of family support.

Japan's Ageing Population Crisis

Japan is one of the world's fastest-ageing societies, with government data revealing that the number of people aged 65 or older reached a record high of 36.25 million in 2024. This demographic now constitutes 29.3% of the total population, the highest proportion among all countries with a population exceeding 100,000.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has identified this ageing trend as a major concern, placing Japan at the top of global rankings in elderly population percentage. With traditional support systems weakening, many elderly individuals are left without adequate care, pushing some towards desperate measures like crime for survival.

The Need for Reform and Social Support

Akiyo’s case is not an isolated one; it represents a systemic issue requiring urgent intervention. Japan must strengthen social welfare programs, improve elderly care, and create community-based support systems to prevent older adults from resorting to crime as a means of securing shelter and stability.

Addressing this crisis will not only reduce the burden on the prison system but also ensure that Japan's elderly population can live with dignity and security outside of incarceration.