The Japanese Elderly and Care Services in the COVID-19 Pandemic Era: Present and Future Trends in Chiang Mai Province

Abstract

Over the past two decades, the retirement industry in Thailand has been investing in high-class senior living residences for foreign retirees to provide quality care services. Japanese retirees were one of the key target groups as they were perceived as high-end consumers. However, communication problems, cultural differences, and financial issues prevent them from entirely using these services. In addition, the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 discouraged international travel and caused a global economic recession, significantly affecting retirees’ travel. Several factors, such as lower pension payouts, a higher retirement age, a weaker Japanese currency, and a rising cost of living in Thailand, led to a decrease in the number of Japanese wishing to move abroad after retirement. As a result, there is less demand for services in receiving countries. For Japanese retirees who have rooted in Chiang Mai and wish to remain permanently in the city, there is a shift towards using care services for ordinary Thais, for being more affordable. This phenomenon raises questions about the sustainability of care services for Japanese retirees and the burden on services for aging Thais.