急勾配の坂道にある住宅街の事情　高齢住民を支援する87歳の男性「本当はここいらで引いて委譲していきたいけれど…」福岡県北九州市

In Yahata-Higashi Ward, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, where houses line the slopes of a mountain, there is an 87-year-old man who has been providing shopping assistance to the elderly for 10 years. This man's activities, where a healthy senior citizen supports another senior citizen, highlight the challenges facing a region experiencing population decline. Nakao District, where houses line the steep slopes Nakao district in Yahata-Higashi Ward, Kitakyushu City, where houses line the steep slopes. In this district, there is a man who continues to provide shopping assistance to residents. "I sell eggs and flowers from my mobile shop. Please feel free to use it, thank you for your continued patronage." He delivers food twice a week. This is Katsuji Murata, 87 years old. Mr. Murata, who moved to the Nakao district 25 years ago, felt the effects of the aging population firsthand and started his mobile shop 10 years ago. Katsuji Murata said, "There were reports that shopping was becoming increasingly inconvenient and difficult. There are many houses built on the slopes of the mountain, so I can imagine that shopping would be inconvenient." Local volunteers and university students came together and established the NPO "Waiwai Takatsuki" two years ago. They deliver vegetables, rice, fruit, and other foods that are difficult for the elderly to carry on their own, twice a week. Nearly half of the residents are over 65 years old. The Nakao district was once bustling with people working at the Yawata Steel Works and its related companies. However, with the decline of the steel industry, the population decreased, and currently, nearly half of the approximately 1700 residents are over 65 years old. Local Resident (75): "It's a great help." Q. How long have you lived here? Local Resident (75): "About 45 years, I think. It was fine when I was young, but it's no good when you get old." Local Resident (89): "I have to take the bus (to get to the supermarket), so it's a real hassle. I'm very grateful for this." "If they don't come out, we think, 'Huh?'" They also act as a watchful presence. Murata and his team's activities go beyond simply delivering essential supplies. "Excuse me!" "It's all lively!" They call out to residents who regularly come shopping but don't show up. They also act as a "watchful presence" for the elderly. Waiwai Takatsuki - Katsuji Murata "If they don't show up, I'll call them. It's fine if they do, but if they don't, I'll think, 'Huh?' Also, we have salon activities. People gather there." "Salon Activities" several times a month Murata and others also hold "salon activities" several times a month where residents gather. They eat meals together and exercise in a community center renovated from an empty house. A local resident (88) said, "I think it's very good to have a place like this. As you get older, you stop taking on official roles and don't go out as much, so I think getting along with your neighbors is the best thing to do, but it's hard for people to approach you." To prevent elderly people from bearing their burdens alone, they provide support for all kinds of problems, from sorting through belongings and mowing the lawn to handling complex medical procedures. Katsuji Murata, Waiwai Takatsuki "We're working to create a system that allows elderly people to continue living in the town they've grown accustomed to, so it would be great if we could achieve that." Most of those providing support are also over 80 years old. However, there are also concerns. Katsuji Murata, Waiwai Takatsuki "Ideally, we'd like to gradually hand over responsibilities, but we haven't been able to do that yet, so we're thinking about that starting this year." Most of the board members of Waiwai Takatsuki, the support group, are also over 80 years old. Until now, volunteer university students have helped, allowing the activities to continue, but the biggest challenge going forward is how to maintain continuity. A local resident (88) said, "We're grateful for this association, but it won't continue without reliable people to take care of things. Those who provide care are getting older, too, so I'm hoping that someone from within the community will take over." To continue living in the community they've grown accustomed to, the search continues in this hilly town. For more details, check out NEWS DIG! ↓ https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/-/...