For Japan's Growing Population Of Seniors, Prison Is An Oasis

05:52

March 28, 2018

This picture taken on July 24, 2015 shows women having a meal together at a rehabilitation facility to support reintegration for former prisoners in Tokyo. For Japan's increasing cohort of elderly prison inmates, the prospect of a life of freedom upon release is fraught with unease. (Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP/Getty Images)

This article is more than 4 years old.

Elderly Japanese women are committing minor crimes in order to go to prison, where they find community and purpose.

Gerontology scholar Emiko Takagi (@EmikoTakagi) joins Here & Now's Meghna Chakrabarti to explain the challenges Japan is facing with its rapidly aging population, and what's driving women to do this.

This segment aired on March 28, 2018.

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