• Korean Journal of Comparative Education
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.185-212
• /
• 2017

The purpose of this study is to raise the necessity of an alternative awareness toward economic activities as the work form of social participation by the elderly and their corresponding educational tasks. For this aim, the concept of Japan's 'rewarding work participation' and its practical cases have been examined. As a study method, the characteristics of Japan's state and local government elderly policy projects have been examined through literature research. Next, the cases of the elderly having established an autonomous company and practiced Ogawanosho Oyakimura were researched based on on-site visits and interviews. As this study has suggested that the economic activities of the elderly have to be carried out from the perspective of successful aging and these activities have been conducted through 'rewarding work participation', the following features have been clarified. First, a converted image of the elderly is necessary. The elderly do have the experiences worthy of social utilization. Second, the educational and managerial policies which turn the elderly's experiences into social values are necessary. Third, a flexible awareness toward the corresponding works of the elderly is needed. In other words, the works which have reflected mentally solitary tendency and social discontinuity features of the elderly and taken into account the demands of the elderly generation who desire to become an influential and meaningful existence are necessary. Thus, future elderly education need to come up with the policies and practices toward work education from the viewpoint of rewarding work participation.