Introduction

Although partner-care is one of the main types of caring in Japan and Taiwan, it has received less research attention than other forms of caring. In both countries, a rapidly ageing population and a sharply decreasing birth rate pose challenges for care systems that have long been and remain primarily family-based. Working-age partners with dual work and caring roles often encounter real hardship. This chapter examines their current situation and the challenges they face, using case examples from qualitative research from both countries to exemplify inadequacies in the present system and the urgency of overhauling current arrangements.

Working and caring for a partner

Partner-carers in Japan

In Japan, caring is a topic receiving increasing attention, as already noted in this book. The number of people needing care has increased from 2.5 million in 2000 to 4.8 million in 2009 (MHLW, 2009) and almost half of all carers (44%) while caring for family members are also working (MIAC, 2006). Some 144,000 people left their jobs to provide care for a family member in 2006, an increase of 160% from 2002 (JIWE, 2011). Most were people in their 50s and 60s – and many were women – but an increasing number of men are leaving their jobs to care for family members too (Tsutome and Saito, 2007).

In Table 11.1, data on the relationship between the primary carer and the person receiving care are shown at three points in time: 1968, 1993 and 2007 (Kasuga, 2010). Direct comparison is not possible, as the data are from separate surveys, but some shifts in patterns of primary care by family members in Japan can be identified. In 1968, the oldest son's wife was the main carer, and 60% of older women needing care relied on their daughter-in-law. However, at the later dates, this proportion was much smaller – 37% in 1993 and 34% in 2007 – suggesting that a major change occurred in the 1970s and 1980s.

An interesting change in recent years of particular relevance to this chapter has been husbands’ increasing role as carers. In 1968, only 8% of older women needing care were cared for mainly by their husbands. In 1993, this figure was 14%, and by 2007, nearly 39%. The difference between the figures for 1993 and 2007 is exceptionally large.