Behind the light pink walls of Tochigi Women's Prison, a stark reality of Japan's aging society is unfolding. The prison, like many others across the country, is increasingly becoming a haven for elderly women, many of whom commit minor crimes like shoplifting not out of malice, but out of desperation, loneliness, and a lack of support in the outside world.
"There are even people who say they will pay 20,000 or 30,000 yen ($130-190) a month (if they can) to live here forever,” revealed Takayoshi Shiranaga, an officer at Tochigi Women’s Prison, during a rare visit granted to CNN.
Inside, elderly inmates like 81-year-old Akiyo (a pseudonym used for privacy) find a level of stability they lack outside. Akiyo, incarcerated for shoplifting food, described the prison environment as surprisingly supportive.
When she committed her second theft, Akiyo was living off a “very small” pension that was only paid every two months. With less than $40 left and two weeks until her next payment, “I made a poor decision and shoplifted, thinking it would be a minor issue,” she said. Her prior conviction meant that she was imprisoned.
"There are very good people in this prison," she said. "Perhaps this life is the most stable for me."
With little family support, Akiyo had stopped caring about the future, or what would happen to her.
Her 43-year-old son, who lived with her before she was imprisoned, often told her: “I wish you’d just go away.”
For women like Akiyo, prison provides regular meals, free healthcare, and a sense of community that is often absent in their lives. This is a recurring theme among the elderly inmates.
Akiyo finished her sentence in October. Speaking to CNN a month before her release, she said she was full of shame and afraid to face her son. She planned to apologize and ask his forgiveness, but said, “I’m afraid of how he might perceive me.”
“Being alone is a very difficult thing, and I feel ashamed that I ended up in this situation,” she added. “I really feel that if I had a stronger will, I could have led a different life, but I’m too old to do anything about it now.”
One 51-year-old inmate, Yoko (also a pseudonym), who has been in and out of prison on drug charges for 25 years, noted the aging population within the prison walls. She explained that some individuals deliberately commit crimes to return to prison when they run out of money.
Theft is the most common crime committed by elderly female inmates in Japan. Government figures from 2022 show that over 80% of elderly female inmates were jailed for stealing. This is often driven by poverty, with 20% of people over 65 in Japan living in poverty, according to the OECD.
"There are people who come here because it’s cold, or because they’re hungry," said Shiranaga. He also pointed out that the free medical treatment available in prison is a significant draw for some, especially those who cannot afford healthcare outside.
The influx of elderly inmates has transformed the nature of incarceration in Japan. Prison staff now find themselves providing care more akin to nursing homes, assisting with bathing, eating, and other daily needs. "At this point, it feels more like a nursing home than a prison full of convicted criminals," Shiranaga commented.
The problem is compounded by a lack of support for inmates after their release. Megumi, a prison guard at Tochigi, explained that many have no one to look after them upon release, and some are abandoned by their families. This lack of post-release support contributes to high rates of recidivism.
The Japanese government is beginning to address the issue. The welfare ministry has increased efforts for early intervention and community support centers. The Ministry of Justice has also launched programs focusing on independent living, addiction recovery, and family relationships. Proposals are being considered to make housing benefits more accessible to elderly people.
However, with Japan's rapidly aging population and low birthrate, the challenge is immense. The government projects a need for 2.72 million care workers by 2040. In the meantime, prisons like Tochigi continue to house a growing population of elderly women, highlighting a critical gap in Japan's social safety net.
This phenomenon isn't exclusive to Japan. Other nations facing similar demographic shifts, economic inequality, and weakening social support systems could be at risk of similar trends.
Countries with rapidly aging populations, high-income inequality, weak social welfare programs, and eroding traditional family structures are particularly vulnerable. European countries like Italy and Germany, as well as the United States, share some of these characteristics and could face similar challenges if preventative measures are not taken
Story from adapted from CNN.