This essay introduces sociological studies on aging and related topics in Japan since 2000. It argues the three following points. First, the results of sociological studies on aging, and those from related social science disciplines, have moved away from a uniform understanding of aging to reveal greater diversity in the process. Second, it has become apparent that older people face various social problems, such as social isolation, social disparities, and family care problems. Studies have argued that it is essential to support mutual aid in the community. Finally, the reflexivity of high modernity attempts to push the problem of aging towards autonomy, but a new culture of aging assumes that dependence has the potential to overcome this reflexivity.

本文介绍了自2000年以来日本在老龄化及相关主题方面的社会学研究。论文论证了以下三点。首先，关于衰老的社会学研究结果以及来自相关社会科学学科的研究结果，已经摆脱了对衰老的统一理解，从而揭示了这一过程中更大的多样性。其次，很明显，老年人面临各种社会问题，例如社会孤立，社会差距和家庭护理问题。研究认为，在社区中支持互助至关重要。最后，高度现代性的反身性试图将衰老问题推向自治，但是一种新的衰老文化假设依赖性有可能克服这种反身性。