Japan has one of the fastest growing populations of elderly retirees in the world with the number only to increase in the coming years. As a result, the concept of a living will has begun to appeal to many in the country since it will direct end of life care and prevent futile measures to preserve life. However, this type of document is new to the country and currently has no legal sanction which means that there is no requirement to follow the wishes of the will’s creator. In addition, many families face cultural pressure to prolong their loved one’s life as long as possible in order to avoid accusations of being uncaring and not doing all in their power to preserve the life of the relative. Some discussions have occurred among the political leadership to give legal force to end of life directives, such as living wills, but with an election approaching the subject will likely be pushed back in time due to the controversial nature of the concept. But whatever happens legislatively, the people of Japan will likely to continue to take the issue into their own hands and create directives regardless.
See Linda Sieg, ‘Living wills’ spur debate on right to die with dignity in Japan, Japan Today, March 8, 2016.
Special thanks to Brian Cohan (Attorney at Law, Law Offices of Brian J. Cohan, P.C.) for bringing this article to my attention.
