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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Justin McCurry in Tokyo and Raphael Rashid in Seoul

‘I’m afraid to have children’: fear of an older future in Japan and South Korea

Illustration of a couple take pictures in front of cherry blossoms in Tokyo; the Sugamo neighbourhood of the city, which is popular with older people; apartment complexes in the South Korean capital. Seoul.
From left: a couple take pictures in front of cherry blossoms in Tokyo; the Sugamo neighbourhood of the city, which is popular with older people; apartment complexes in the South Korean capital. Seoul. Composite: the Guardian/Justin McCurry/EPA/Getty

It is not hard to spot the grey hairs among the late-morning shoppers on Jizo-dori. Their owners have come to buy discount underwear and colourful blouses, have lunch with friends in retro cafes and, if they are over 60, have their nails done at huge discounts.

At regular intervals along the street, signs indicate the presence of defibrillators; and at Koganji temple, people pause to waft “cure-all” smoke from smouldering incense sticks over their aches and pains.

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