Current situation and issues of the long-term care insurance system in Japan

This article covers the following: (1) changes in the elderly welfare policies leading to the establishment of the long-term care insurance system; (2) background to the establishment of the long-term care insurance system and its framework; (3) the process of using the long-term care insurance service; (4) the current situation of the long-term care insurance system; and (5) challenges to and prospects of the long-term care insurance system. Shortage of funding for long-term care insurance and securing care workers are the most important issues and we prospect for promotion of integrated community care system.