Design
Japan's population is rapidly aging. By 2013, the proportion of persons aged 65 years or older will exceed 25%, making the country what is known as "a full-fledged aging society" in which one in four people is a senior.
Trend and estimated aging* in major countries
*Over the age of 65
Source:
World Population Prospects: The 2008 Revision by the United Nations
Many people have vision-related challenges—low vision, difference in sight due to partially limited color vision or cataracts, short or farsightedness, lower sight due to age, and visual impairment. 50 to 60% of Japan's general population use either glasses or contact lenses. Including temporary issues, a great number of people experience difficulty in day-to-day living.
Source:
Total population: "Estimated population" by the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, October 1, 2009
Number of people wearing glasses and contact lenses (2008): Surveyed by SEED Co. Ltd.
Low vision, partially limited color vision, etc. Color Universal Design Organization (CUDO)
Rounded to the nearest 1,000 people |
Ratio to the total population of Japan |
||
---|---|---|---|
Physically disabled | 5,032,000 | 3.94% | |
Visually impaired | 383,000 | 0.30% | |
Impaired hearing and balance disorders | 449,000 | 0.35% | |
Impaired speech, language, and masticatory functions | 60,000 | 0.05% | |
Motion disabled | 2,788,000 | 2.19% | |
Internal disorders | 1,353,000 | 1.06% | |
Intellectually disabled | 786,000 | 0.62% |
Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: Report on social welfare administrative services, released on October 2009