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Participation of Active Seniors Is Indispensable
It is well known that elderly people’s participation in society has a positive effect on
them. Studies have suggested that this has had a positive impact on the reduction of
their medical and nursing care expenses. More importantly, the participation of the
elderly has become essential for society itself. At Mayekawa Mfg. Co., Ltd.,
employees who wish to continue working even after reaching retirement age can do
so for as long as they wish, with the approval of people around them. In fact, the
world’s top-class refrigeration systems are developed at this company, and most of
them are reportedly the product of joint work between postretirement age elderly
employees and active-duty employees (Fig. 21).
This example has far-reaching implications. Active-duty employees not only
lack experience but are pressed with their duties. They cannot afford to focus their
efforts on the development of new products. Perhaps the empirical knowledge of the
elderly and the leeway they have in their duties, or lack thereof, make up for the
shortcomings of active-duty employees, thereby producing a synergistic effect.
Accordingly, there should be several opportunities for the elderly employees to
utilize their skills more effectively. In the field of education, the lack of diversity in
the experiences of the teachers has undermined their ability to educate students. If
elders who have experience living abroad, have managed complaints, or have technical experience participate as teachers, the positive effects on the quality of
education would be immeasurable. In this way, active seniors are important in helping us move toward a platinum society (Fig. 22).
Fig. 21 Collaboration between active duty people and active seniors breeds creativity. (Courtesy:
Mayekawa Manufacturing Co., Ltd.)
Preface: From “Vision 2050” to “New Vision 2050”
Participation of Active Seniors Is Indispensable
It is well known that elderly people’s participation in society has a positive effect on
them. Studies have suggested that this has had a positive impact on the reduction of
their medical and nursing care expenses. More importantly, the participation of the
elderly has become essential for society itself. At Mayekawa Mfg. Co., Ltd.,
employees who wish to continue working even after reaching retirement age can do
so for as long as they wish, with the approval of people around them. In fact, the
world’s top-class refrigeration systems are developed at this company, and most of
them are reportedly the product of joint work between postretirement age elderly
employees and active-duty employees (Fig. 21).
This example has far-reaching implications. Active-duty employees not only
lack experience but are pressed with their duties. They cannot afford to focus their
efforts on the development of new products. Perhaps the empirical knowledge of the
elderly and the leeway they have in their duties, or lack thereof, make up for the
shortcomings of active-duty employees, thereby producing a synergistic effect.
Accordingly, there should be several opportunities for the elderly employees to
utilize their skills more effectively. In the field of education, the lack of diversity in
the experiences of the teachers has undermined their ability to educate students. If
elders who have experience living abroad, have managed complaints, or have technical experience participate as teachers, the positive effects on the quality of
education would be immeasurable. In this way, active seniors are important in helping us move toward a platinum society (Fig. 22).
Fig. 21 Collaboration between active duty people and active seniors breeds creativity. (Courtesy:
Mayekawa Manufacturing Co., Ltd.)
Preface: From “Vision 2050” to “New Vision 2050”