A1 Journal article (refereed)
Media portrayals of transitions from work to retirement in two ageing societies : the case of ageing baby boomers in Japan and Finland (2022)

Ishikawa, M. (2022). Media portrayals of transitions from work to retirement in two ageing societies : the case of ageing baby boomers in Japan and Finland. Journal of Aging Studies, 62, Article 101062. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2022.101062

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Ishikawa, Motoko

Journal or series: Journal of Aging Studies

ISSN: 0890-4065

eISSN: 1879-193X

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 12/08/2022

Volume: 62

Article number: 101062

Publisher: Elsevier

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2022.101062

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/82770

Abstract

This article explores media portrayals of the transition from work to retirement under the circumstances of demographic change through a focus on newspaper discussions about ageing baby boomers in Japan and Finland. Due to their shared characteristics as a distinct population group that advances the rapid ageing of the population, media representations of Japanese and Finnish baby boomers during the transitional period to retirement give insight into the social perceptions of retirement and their implications on later life. Manifest content analysis and subsequent thematic analysis identify that the topic of “work, retirement and pension” dominates media discussions in both countries. Analysis also conveys that this topic involves specific themes on three levels: macro level, attitudinal level and behavioural level regarding working, subjective and social perceptions of retirement. Social and cultural differences between Japan and Finland are well accounted for in shaping each theme, which is characterised by even contrasting expressions regarding the extension of working life and attitudes toward work and retirement. However, deeper analysis suggests that the idea that values an active, productive and engaged lifestyle beyond retirement underlies both Japanese and Finnish media discourses. Media discussions in both countries risk creating a discriminatory dichotomy among older people: the Finnish media marginalises those who are out of work and without work-like activities, while the Japanese media tend to exclude those without socially desirable competence.

Keywords: ageing; older people; large age groups; retirement; representation (mental objects); media; public discussion

Free keywords: Population ageing; Baby boomers; Media representations; Japan; Finland

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Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2022

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