Long-term Care Insurance Act (Kaigo Hoken Hō)
The Long-term Care Insurance Act (Kaigo Hoken Hō) established Japan’s social insurance system for funding long-term care for the elderly and disabled. Enacted in 1997 and implemented in 2000, the Act created a mandatory social insurance scheme funded by premiums and taxes. The system provides care services including home care, institutional care, and prevention services. The Act addresses Japan’s ageing population, with over 28% of the population aged 65 or over.
Legal area: Law governing social welfare programmes and public assistance.
Year enacted: 1997
Full text: https://elaws.e-gov.go.jp/document?lawid=japan-long-term-care-insurance-act
Key Provisions
- Chapter I: General provisions (purpose, definitions)
- Chapter II: Insured persons (categories 1 and 2)
- Chapter III: Care needs assessment (certification process)
- Chapter IV: Care services (home care, facility care, prevention)
- Chapter V: Financing (premiums, copayments, subsidies)
- Chapter VI: Long-term care insurance councils and plans
Significance
The Long-term Care Insurance Act created the world’s first mandatory social insurance system for long-term care. The system has been a model for other countries facing ageing populations. Japan’s care system faces increasing demand and funding challenges. The 2017 amendments strengthened prevention services and community-based integrated care. The system has been praised for providing universal access to care but criticised for rising premiums and insufficient care worker numbers.