Inclusion of Local Residents by the Integrated Community Care System

Transition of the Social Welfare Systems in Japan

Abstract

Japan’s social welfare systems have been changing since the early 2000s and accelerating in recent years by promoting choice and the participation of indi-viduals in response to the country’s ageing population and increasing financial burden. Presently much attention is being paid to the establishment of an ‘inte-grated community care system’. The article explores the issue of community care normatively by focusing on the inclusion of local residents. It first reviews the history of the Japanese social welfare systems towards the integrated community care system, second, points out its affinity for the theories of the relationship between the state and civil society, and third, suggest avenues for reinforcement of the social welfare systems as a public responsibility of support for social participation. The changing role of law with regard to social welfare in Japan today reflects a shift from regulation to support. Law should indeed support the dynamics of and interaction between the main stakeholders of the communities. The transition is therefore not necessary from government to contract to the individuals, but at all times a pallet of these three elements can be found in the social welfare system.

(The Editors)