Miho TANAKA

Dr Chao Fang and Miho Tanaka https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/endoflifestudies/projects/the-mitori-project/policy/ England and Japan are confronted with unprecedented challenges and opportunities in the face of population ageing and changing expectations about death and dying, which place heavy demands on health and social care systems. In the past 12 months, Dr Chao Fang and Ms Miho Tanaka have worked jointly to explore policy discourses regarding end of life care between England and Japan. An in-depth analysis has been undertaken to compare a set of key policy documents and legislation implemented and enacted in both countries. This policy brief summarises key findings from the analysis to report the commonalities and differences of end of life care, decision-making and bereavement support. Four key messages have been identified: 1) emphasising individualised care and support 2) improving care access and inclusion 3) supporting informal carers and family members 4) promoting integrated and holistic approaches The policy brief aims to be valuable for academics, policy-makers, practitioners, as well as the general public. It paints a comparative picture of end of life care policies and laws between the two post-industrial and rapidly ageing societies. This comparison enables mutual understanding, aiming to inform and reshape future policy-making and legislation in both countries.