Developing a health service system for the elderly in Japan.

The present public medical care system in Japan was originally designed in 1961 and covers the entire population. However, several converging medical and demographic factors are forcing the Japanese to redesign their system, particularly as it relates to their increasing elderly population. An estimated 17% of the population will be over 65 years of age by 2000, and nearly one million of them will be bedridden. The Japanese legislature is currently considering new legislation that by the end of this century would provide 10 times as many nursing facility beds, 14 times as many temporary-stay beds, and build or renovate 500 times as many care houses (handicapped accessible) as currently exist.