However, Japan’s poverty for children and their mothers remains hidden from the public largely because of shame or haji 恥 The Japanese government has introduced various measures to support low-income families, including financial aid and social welfare programs. Initiatives such as increased child allowances, job training programs, and housing support have been implemented to assist single mothers. 21 Japan’s aging population continues to grow, with single-person elderly households becoming the norm. The number of single-person elderly households increased from approximately 3.18 million in 2001 to 8.55 million in 2023. 22 In response, new systems for caregiving, daily assistance, and lifelong support are rapidly evolving, both as business models and public policies. Public-private partnerships have been instrumental in promoting the concept of “aging in place,” which allows elderly individuals to remain in their homes and communities as they age. 23 These partnerships often involve collaboration between government agencies, private companies, and non-profit organizations to provide home care services, community-based support, and technological solutions to enhance the quality of life for the elderly. Innovative technological solutions have been developed through collaborations between tech companies and public institutions to support elderly citizens. Accessible transportation services, which are collaborations between local governments and private transportation companies, provide affordable and accessible transportation options for elderly individuals. 24 Furthermore, mobility assistance programs offer mobility aids and support services to help elderly individuals navigate their communities safely. 25 As a result, the well-being of older adults is attempting to be restored. Cross-Sector Collaboration is Key Underlying these transformations is the growing appetite for cross-sector dialogue and collaboration among the economic, political, and nonprofit sectors—working flexibly across issue areas and traditional boundaries. SIIF has been a catalyst in this transition, helping diverse actors, especially those who traditionally could not find a role in social innovation, transcend conventional roles and contribute to the emergence of new social and economic systems. Impact investments in Japan fund a variety of organizations and entities, including nonprofit organizations, social enterprises, start-ups and small and medium enterprises, and partnership public-private sector projects. SIIF emphasizes the importance of metrics to reflect the needs and impact on beneficiaries and to effectively measure community change. It will encourage greater transparency and third-party audits. Success indicators will blend financial performance with scalability and replicability. 208
Ten Years in the Making
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