Post on 02-Jan-2016
The Function and Role of Co-operatives in Providing
Elderly Care Ritsumeikan University/Consumer Cooperative
Institute of Japan (CCIJ)
Kohei Yamaguchi
Outline of Presentation
• Background of social welfare policy in Japan
• Introduction of long-term care insurance system and organizational environment change
• Co-op’s action to the change
• Problems and future prospects
Background and change of social welfare policy in Japan
1945 ~ after WW2; “Relief of the poor” first
1960s ~ Service expanded with high-economic growth; formation of “men bread-winner model”
…Depending highly on family and corporation
1980s ~ Recognized the need of elderly care
…services expanded sharply by private initiatives
2000 Long-term care insurance system started
Long-term care insurance system
Change of elderly care by LTCI >Standardization of services
not depending on the care by family but certified professionals.
>Introduction of market mechanism
private firms, co-ops, and non-profit organization can be a service provider.
Elderly care and Consumer Co-op
1970s Emergence of Consumer Co-op
1980s “Kurashi-no tasukeai-no kai”(elder support group by co-op members) start and expand
… 74 co-ops: 66,377 members(FY2003)
2000 ~ Become Service Provider Organization of LTCI. …45 co-ops: \ 6.5B (FY2002)
Elderly care and Consumer Co-op(2)
Why Co-op provides elderly care?
>mutual help is important part of Co-ops.
>severe lack of service provider; LTCI scheme needs non-profit organizations and Co-ops.
>services of municipalities are not enough; need of variety services
Elderly care and Consumer Co-op(3)
Two directions / strategies;
(a)Kurashi-no Tasukeai-no Kai + Provider of LTCI
>major Co-ops like Co-op Kobe and Co-op Kanagawa takes.
>key advantages; many experienced / skilled worker
(b)Development & Supporting Workers Collective
>Seikatsu Club Co-op and Green Co-op.
>traditional co-op supporting new/small co-ops
Workers Collective as Social Enterprise
Social enterprises are;
“business but not for-profit; profits brings to local communities and business itself”
Dilemmas
• As elderly care become more important business and making actual result, the Co-operative advantages are getting lost.
• Introduction of market mechanism in the LTCI scheme; many co-ops lose their identities.
>What is the key advantages of Co-ops?
Role of Co-operatives
Elderly care’s structural problems;
>Information gap between provider and beneficiaries
>Provider dominance
Role of Co-ops are;
>Bridging the gap / Empowering their members through business and mutual help.
Thank you
kouhei.yamaguchi@jccu.coop