As Japan’s aging population grows, this episode explores the challenges older drivers face, highlighting innovative solutions, community initiatives and the personal stories behind the statistics.

In this episode of Japan Hour, the focus turns to Japan’s rapidly aging population and the growing challenge of older drivers on the roads. In Yakuma Town, Hokkaido, the episode opens with a harsh scene of a car accident, illustrating the growing problem of traffic incidents involving the elderly. The narrator notes that as the proportion of senior citizens increases, so does the frequency of accidents, with 71,673 incidents involving elderly drivers recorded in 2023 — up from 67,661 in 2021. This situation has become a major social concern, prompting a national conversation about seniors should lose their driver’s licenses.

Moving to the town of Ebino in Miyazaki, the episode captures the reality faced by an aging rural community where 44% of the population is over 65. In such areas, driving is often not a choice but a necessity as public transport options are limited. . Ebino Kogen Driving School runs a special course for drivers over 70 who are renewing their licenses. The challenges these older students face become apparent as they navigate basic driving tasks, struggling to follow signage and remember directions. One participant, an 82-year-old farmer, repeatedly confuses left and right turns during the lesson, admitting in frustration, “I think the test is wrong. You should explain all this clearly from the beginning and then we should start.’

The episode highlights the personal stakes involved for many older drivers. Among those attending the course is 81-year-old Masaru Iwasaki, who emphasizes the importance of driving in everyday life: “If I don’t drive, I can’t take my wife to the hospital.” His wife, Emiko, is suffering from the effects of a subarachnoid hemorrhage, and given the lack of buses in the city, relinquishing the license would severely limit their mobility. “I’ll be just as dead,” Iwasaki remarks, echoing the sentiment of many rural elders who equate the ability to drive with their independence and quality of life.

To address the increasing number of accidents, the episode shows the efforts at the Ebino Kogen Driving School, including an exercise class designed to help older drivers maintain their physical responsiveness. The instructor explains, “People step on the accelerator instead of the brakes because they lack the speed to quickly switch between the two.” These exercises aim to improve the response of the foot joints, a small but crucial measure to help prevent accidents.

The episode then moves on to a broader solution – a new system developed to diagnose driving problems in real time. The episode introduces Genext, a company specializing in accident evaluation, founded in 2009. Genext is led by president Hajime Kasahara, who has personally investigated over 500 traffic accidents. Kasahara’s work began after his father was involved in an accident, initially blamed on alleged negligence. Through a meticulous investigation of dash cam footage, Kasahara was able to prove that the other car was going over 100 kilometers per hour, ultimately overturning the negligence finding. This experience motivated Kasahara to develop technologies for more accurate accident assessments.

Kasahara and Genext are now conducting a pilot study in the city of Yokohama, a region where accidents involving elderly drivers have increased significantly – from 7.7% in 2003 to 22.1% in 2023. The study involves elderly drivers aged between between 66 and 71 years. using an app called AI-Contact to monitor their driving habits over a 90-day period. The app tracks factors such as speed compliance and stops at intersections, generating a driving skill score for each participant.

One of the participants, 71-year-old Tatsuhiko Koda, shares his perspective: “After turning 70, I became aware of the need to drive more safely.” Koda, who worked at an insurance company, is confident in his abilities but welcomes the chance for an objective assessment. During the test, Koda achieved an impressive score of 98.46%, proving that despite concerns about his failing eyesight, he remains a capable driver. He admits: “I started paying more attention to speed limits. Until now, I just relied on my instincts… But now, I try to stick to the rules and keep a close eye on my speed.”

Another participant, Toshimi Usami, 66, often drives her grandchildren to and from daycare. Encouraged by her son Maki to participate in the study, Usami hopes the data will provide peace of mind for her family. Her results, however, reveal shortcomings – particularly in stopping at intersections, with a compliance rate of just 50%. “In my mind, I’m careful to stop at these locations. I’m not careful enough,” Usami admits. Following the trial, she takes the results to heart, making a conscious effort to count to three at stop signs to ensure she stops properly.

The episode also covers a community-focused solution in the city of Miyoshi, Hiroshima, where carmaker Mazda is working to address transportation challenges in rural areas with limited public transportation. In this region, more than half of the population is elderly and local bus service is rare. Mazda launched the Mutual Support Transportation program, a volunteer-led initiative where residents who can drive provide free rides to those who can’t. Mazda’s Shinichiro Yoshida comments on the significance of the project: “I want to improve people’s lives and their ability to get around… But we can’t do that through technology alone. To achieve this, working together with everyone you are important.”

However, this initiative faces challenges as volunteer drivers are themselves aging, with many expressing concern about their ability to continue driving safely. “The vision starts to go down. And you never know what could happen,” says volunteer driver Chihiro Kodama, 67. In response, Mazda is developing a driving impairment detection system that uses cameras to monitor eye movements and other indicators of cognitive function. This technology, developed in collaboration with Hiroshima University, aims to provide early warnings of impaired driving skills with the aim of increasing road safety for older drivers.

The episode paints a vivid picture of the challenges and solutions surrounding Japan’s aging drivers. As the country’s population continues to age, initiatives such as Genext diagnostic tools and Mazda’s community transportation system are critical steps to ensure that senior citizens can maintain their independence while keeping the roads safe.