Journal of the Korean Housing Association ISSN:2234-3571(Print) 2234-2257(Online) 한국주거학회논문집

This study is investigated the housing environment characteristics of 6 apartment complexes in high elderly rate in urban areas of Japan, based on literature review and field survey, and suggests the considerations of Korean situations from Japanese apartments. The surveyed cases were large apartment complexes, which were built 40-50 years old ago, with an elderly population ratio of over 40%. The results are as follows: First, the change of housing environment to aging is transportation access for elderly people. Shuttle bus support and traffic safety are important factors for them. Second, instead of shops that are declining due to an aging society, NPO offices, elderly welfare and medical facilities, community cafes and community restaurants, shopping delivery services, and small shops are replaced. Third, it is important for the elderly to support the AIP by providing housing and living services as well as medical services in the apartment complex through the community comprehensive care system. Fourth, the creation of Ikiiki salon, meetinghouse, community restaurant, and cafe, which is a community space run by residents' autonomy, serves as an important positive space for the elderly as a place of communication such as a sense of belonging to the community and information exchange.