In order to establish a sustainable social security system in Japan, whose population is aging ahead of other developed countries, it is crucial to make available micro-data on the diverse aspects of life of elderly people. In many other countries, extensive surveys have been conducted on elderly people and the resulting data have been utilized not only for academic and research purposes, but also as a valuable input for real-world policymaking. Despite the rapid aging of the Japanese population, no statistical survey that would properly capture the diversity of the elderly population from various viewpoints had been carried out in Japan until recently.

Against this backdrop, RIETI and Hitotsubashi University jointly launched a comprehensive survey of elderly people in 2007 to collect panel data on their lives and health, with the University of Tokyo joining from 2009 onward. The data collected in this survey include diverse information on the economic, social, and health conditions of elderly people. In addition, the survey is designed to ensure, to the maximum extent possible, comparability with preceding surveys such as the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) in the United States, the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) in continental Europe, and the English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA) in the United Kingdom. Therefore, by analyzing JSTAR data, researchers can track down the characteristics of the Japanese elderly population both in terms of their specificity and universality in the world. In this sense, JSTAR is Japan's first-ever globally comparable panel data survey of elderly people.

For the general outline and summary results of the 2007 JSTAR survey, refer to JSTAR First Results 2009 Report, which also includes the sampling design, response rates, and other detailed information on the survey.

The 2009 JSTAR survey includes a follow-up survey of the respondents to the 2007 survey and an initial survey of elderly people in two additional municipalities, i.e., Tosu in Saga Prefecture and Naha in Okinawa Prefecture. For the response rates for the 2009 survey, see the "Status of Responses to the 2009 JSTAR Survey."

The questionnaire can be downloaded by clicking the link below. As in the aforementioned surveys in the United States and Europe, the JSTAR survey is composed of two parts, a self-completion questionnaire (SCQ) and a computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) section.

2007 JSTAR Survey

• 1st wave SCQ for Adachi, Kanazawa, Shirakawa, Sendai, and Takikawa [PDF:75KB]
• 1st wave CAPI for Adachi, Kanazawa, Shirakawa, Sendai, and Takikawa [PDF:313KB]

2009 JSTAR Survey

• 2nd wave SCQ for Adachi, Kanazawa, Shirakawa, Sendai, and Takikawa [PDF:817KB]
• 2nd wave CAPI for Adachi, Kanazawa, Shirakawa, Sendai, and Takikawa [PDF:1.8MB]
• 1st wave SCQ for Tosu and Naha [PDF:249KB]
• 1st wave CAPI for Tosu and Naha [PDF:1.1MB]

Summary statistics derived from the 2007 and 2009 JSTAR surveys are contained in the respective Codebooks below, which are downloadable along with the Correspondence Table showing the relationship variables in both the 2007 and the 2009 surveys.

• 2007 JSTAR Survey Codebook: 1st wave for Adachi, Kanazawa, Shirakawa, Sendai, and Takikawa [PDF:679KB]
• 2009 JSTAR Survey Codebook: 2nd wave for Adachi, Kanazawa, Shirakawa, Sendai, and Takikawa [PDF:2.7MB]
• 2009 JSTAR Survey Codebook: 1st wave for Tosu and Naha [PDF:1.4MB]
• Correspondence Table between the 2007 and 2009 JSTAR Surveys [XLS:1.1MB]

The JSTAR survey was conducted for the purpose of contributing to academic research and policymaking. The resulting data are made available free of charge, but only to qualified researchers, higher education institutes, and administrative agencies that have agreed to follow the stringent conditions of use set by RIETI and only in the case that such data are used for academic and statistical research purposes. Approval or disapproval of applications for the use of JSTAR data will be determined by RIETI after considering the opinion of an internal advisory committee, and notification will be sent to individual applicants.

3-1. What Types of Data are Available for Use?

The JSTAR datasets, which are available in Stata and CSV formats, include multidimensional personal information that may lead to the identification of individuals. Standard users–i.e., researchers approved to use JSTAR data requiring Level H (high) confidentiality protection management as defined by the Application Criteria for Use of the JSTAR Datasets–are provided with data that have been compiled in a way so as to prevent individuals from being identified. Specifically, the following measures will be taken to protect the confidentiality of personally identifiable information:

1. Detailed geographic information (specific addresses of individuals surveyed including the residential districts) and municipality-level geographic information is deleted;
2. Information about respondents' attributes and those of their families is top coded and certain sensitive information is deleted;
3. Economic variables such as income, expenditures, and assets are top coded;
4. Data provided in medical and nursing care insurance claims are aggregated; and
5. Randomly selected data constituting 90% of the total sample are made available.

For further details on the measures to protect personally identifiable information, refer to the following document.

• Statistical Processing of JSTAR Datasets for the Protection of Personally Identifiable Information [PDF:56KB]

From the viewpoint of protecting the confidentiality of personally identifiable information, the use of less processed JSTAR data is subject to stringent regulations and rigorous approval procedures. Access to such information–requiring Level VH (very high) confidentiality protection management if the requested datasets contain municipality-level geographic information and Level UH (ultra high) if the datasets contain detailed geographic information–is approved only when the use of such information is deemed, in the judgment of RIETI, to be essential to the particular research being conducted, and under the condition that the applicant and researcher(s) concerned fully abide by confidentiality requirements as stipulated by RIETI. It should be noted that Level VH and Level UH data will not be provided in electronic media form or any other portable form. Such data are accessible only via the Secured Access System for Elaborated Study (SACSES), which is RIETI's proprietary remote control system, to prevent any possibility of the leakage of such information. Specifically, in the case of using Level UH data, researchers must visit RIETI and use workstations in designated rooms within the RIETI premises, which is in addition to the use of SACSES.

The scope of data made available differs across the levels of confidentiality. The following table provides a quick reference about the scope of data accessible at each confidentiality level.

Confidentiality Level	Scope of Data Made Available
Level H (High)	Randomly selected data, constituting 90% of the total sample and with personally identifiable information deleted to ensure confidentiality, will be provided.
Level VH (Very High)	The full sample datasets containing the geographic information (addresses of individual respondents only to the municipality level) will be provided. It should be noted that the use of the Level VH datasets is approved only when such geographic information is deemed essential to the particular research being conducted. Approved users may work at their own workstations, but are required to access the datasets via the RIETI remote control system (SACSES). (Please note that SACSES is compatible only with Windows XP.)
Level UH (Ultra High)	The full sample datasets containing detailed geographic information (specific addresses of individual respondents) will be provided. The use of the Level UH datasets is approved only when such detailed geographic information is deemed essential to the particular research being conducted. Approved users are required to visit RIETI and use its workstations to access the data via the RIETI remote control system (SACSES). Please note that applications may be filed only when the datasets are to be used in RIETI research projects.

3-2. Who is Qualified to Apply?

Qualification requirements that must be met to apply for the use of JSTAR data are defined for each confidentiality level.

Level H Datasets: Requirements for Application

Applications may be filed when the requested data are to be used either in research applying statistical techniques or for educational purposes for institutions of higher education, such as universities and technical colleges.

(1) With regard to applications for using the datasets for research applying statistical methods, all of the following conditions (i) through (v) must be met:

1. Confidential datasets are only used for research applying statistical methods;
2. Confidential datasets are only used for the purposes listed in the application for use;
3. Results of the research using the confidential datasets will be disclosed;
4. Necessary measures are taken to appropriately administer the confidentiality of the datasets; and
5. The application falls under one of the following categories:
   1. The application is for research that contributes to the enhancements and developments of research applying statistical methods. Thus, the application must be made specifically by researchers belonging to a university or research institute that has a researcher or researchers whose work has been published in academic journals above a certain level; or
   2. The application filed by government agencies is for research applying statistical methods and the resulting research findings are to be used for policymaking purposes such as publishing white papers and preparing materials for government advisory councils.

(2) With regard to applications for using the datasets for educational purposes for institutions of higher education, such as universities or technical colleges, all of the following conditions (i) through (iv) must be met:

1. Confidential datasets are only used for educational purposes related to the research applying statistical methods;
2. Confidential datasets are only used for the purposes listed in the application for use;
3. Contents of educational activities using the confidential datasets will be disclosed; and
4. Necessary measures for students to appropriately administer the confidentiality of the datasets are attached to the application for use and the implementations of such measures are ensured.

Level VH Datasets: Requirements for Application

Applications may be filed only when the requested data are to be used in research applying statistical techniques. All of the conditions (i) through (vi) listed below must be met:

1. Confidential datasets are only used for research applying statistical methods;
2. Confidential datasets are only used for the purposes listed in the application for use;
3. Results of the research using the confidential datasets will be disclosed;
4. Necessary measures are taken to appropriately administer the confidentiality of the datasets;
5. The datasets containing municipality-level geographic information are essential to the particular research being conducted; and
6. The application falls under one of the following categories:
   1. The application is for research that contributes to the enhancements and developments of research applying statistical methods. Thus, the application must be made specifically by researchers belonging to a university or research institute that has a researcher or researchers whose work has been published in academic journals above a certain level; or
   2. The application filed by government agencies is for research applying statistical methods and the resulting research findings are to be used for policymaking purposes such as publishing white papers and preparing materials for government advisory councils.

Level UH Datasets: Requirements for Application

Applications may be filed only when the datasets are to be used in RIETI research projects. Access to Level UH datasets for any other purpose is prohibited.

For details about the qualification requirements for applicants and the obligations of approved users, refer to the Application Criteria for Use of the JSTAR Datasets and the RIETI Regulations Regarding the Protection and Management of Confidential Datasets, both downloadable below. Those applying for the use of the JSTAR datasets must read, fully understand, and agree to the criteria and regulations prior to filing applications.

• Application Criteria for Use of the JSTAR Datasets [PDF:48KB]
• RIETI Regulations Regarding the Protection and Management of Confidential Datasets [PDF:98KB]

3-3. Publishing Findings from Research Using the JSTAR Datasets

Users of the JSTAR datasets for academic and statistical research purposes must give credit to RIETI upon publication of their research findings in the following manner:

In the text, they should state: "The Japanese Study of Aging and Retirement (JSTAR) was conducted by the Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI), Hitotsubashi University, and the University of Tokyo."

In the references section, they should state: "JSTAR datasets, produced by the Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI), Hitotsubashi University, and the University of Tokyo, are distributed by RIETI in Tokyo, Japan."

RIETI is to be notified and sent a copy of any publication or transcription (research papers, research reports, lectures, media reports, etc.) produced by using the JSTAR datasets. Please send such correspondence to RIETI either by e-mail or regular mail at the addresses listed below. In the case of e-mail, in the subject box, please specifically state "JSTAR – Publication of Research Findings."

The users of the JSTAR datasets must let RIETI announce and/or make available their resulting works on the RIETI website.

3-4. Procedures for Application and Use

Applications for the use of the JSTAR datasets can be filed only after applicants have read, fully understood, and agreed to the Application Criteria for Use of the JSTAR Datasets [PDF:48KB] and the RIETI Regulations Regarding the Protection and Management of Confidential Datasets [PDF:98KB]. The JSTAR datasets are classified as the "Developed Confidential Datasets" defined in the regulations. Please note that a review process will usually take about two months (or longer if it coincides with a holiday or in the case of insufficient or missing information in the application).

(1) Application Forms and Confirmation Forms Prior to Approval

An application for the use of the JSTAR datasets may be filed by a single researcher for use in his/her individual research project or for use in a joint research project by a group of researchers. In applying, the applicant must appoint a Confidential Datasets Manager who will be responsible for ensuring the confidentiality of the datasets. In the case of a single-person research project, the applicant shall serve the role of the Confidential Datasets Manager. In the case of a joint research project, the applicant shall name either himself/herself as the Confidential Datasets Manager or name a member of the research group to serve the role. Furthermore, applicants are required to state briefly the purpose(s) of the use of the JSTAR datasets so as to ensure that such datasets will not be used for any purpose other than such stated research and/or educational purpose(s). The Application Form for Use of the Confidential Datasets and Confirmation Form to Verify Users' Understanding of Confidentiality Protection Issues, which must be attached to the application form, both with sample descriptions, are downloadable from the links below.

• Application Form for Use of the Confidential Datasets [RTF:52KB]
• Application Form for Use of the Confidential Datasets (with sample descriptions) [PDF:147KB]
• Confirmation Form to Verify Users' Understanding of Confidentiality Protection Issues [PDF:39KB]
• Confirmation Form to Verify Users' Understanding of Confidentiality Protection Issues [RTF:69KB]
• Confirmation Form to Verify Users' Understanding of Confidentiality Protection Issues (with sample descriptions) [PDF:128KB]

If you are a graduate student, please also submit your supervisor's approval form, which is downloadable from the link below with sample descriptions.

• Form for Supervisor's Approval for the Use of the Confidential Datasets [RTF:101KB]
• Form for Supervisor's Approval for the Use of the Confidential Datasets (with sample descriptions) [PDF:106KB]

(2) Agreement Form to Submit Upon Approval

RIETI will send the Terms and Conditions for Use of the Confidential Datasets to approved applicants. After reading and fully understanding the terms and conditions set forth therein, they must submit the Agreement Form for Required Terms and Conditions per Use of the Developed Confidential Datasets (downloadable below) to RIETI. In the case of a joint research project, this form must be filed by all of the project members. Please note that this form must be filed only after the applicant is approved and receives the Terms and Conditions for Use of the Confidential Datasets. The form filed previously (for instance, at the time of application) is invalid and the applicant must re-submit it.

• Agreement Form for Required Terms and Conditions per Use of the Developed Confidential Datasets [RTF:54KB]
• Agreement Form for Required Terms and Conditions per Use of the Developed Confidential Datasets (with sample descriptions) [PDF:88KB]

Requested datasets will be sent, in principle, to the Confidential Datasets Manager at his or her address stated in the application.

(3) Changing the Confidential Datasets Manager

In the case where the application has been filed and approved for use of the confidential datasets by a group of researchers, if the person named as Confidential Datasets Manager in the application is subsequently replaced, Notification of Changing the Confidential Datasets Manager (downloadable below) must be submitted.

• Notification of Changing the Confidential Datasets Manager [RTF:44KB]
• Notification of Changing the Confidential Datasets Manager (with sample descriptions) [PDF:90KB]

(4) Treatment of Datasets Upon Completion of Designated Period of Use

Upon completion of the designated period of use, all datasets provided by RIETI must be returned to RIETI or disposed of by the users of such datasets, and each person (all listed users in the case of a joint research project) must notify RIETI of the treatment of the datasets (return or disposal) within one month, using the Declaration Form for the Status of Usage of the Confidential Datasets (downloadable below). In the case of returning the datasets to RIETI, this document should be attached to the datasets.

• Declaration Form for the Status of Usage of the Confidential Datasets [RTF:41KB]
• Declaration Form for the Status of Usage of the Confidential Datasets (with sample descriptions) [PDF:109KB]

(5) Forms Checklist and Mailing Instructions

All of the documents to be filed with RIETI, namely, (1) Application Form for Use of the Confidential Datasets, (2) Confirmation Form to Verify Users' Understanding of Confidentiality Protection Issues (and Supervisor's Approval Form, if necessary), (3) Agreement Form for Required Terms and Conditions per Use of the Developed Confidential Datasets, (4) Notification of Changing the Confidential Datasets Manager (if applicable), and (5) Declaration Form for the Status of Usage of the Confidential Datasets, must be sent by Express Mail Service (EMS) to the address listed below or via e-mail to jstar@rieti.go.jp in the form of an electronic document (PDF) sealed with a digital signature. Please note that applications sent via web-based personal accounts will not be accepted. (For guidance on creating a digital signature, please refer to the following Adobe link. For those without a digital ID, which is required for creating a digital signature, please refer to the following Adobe link.) For further details, please refer to (1) Application Form for Use of the Confidential Datasets (with sample descriptions).

Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (Attn: JSTAR)
11th floor, Annex, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)
1-3-1, Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo, Japan 100-8901

3-5. FAQs

Q1:

After submitting an application, how long will it take before I receive the JSTAR datasets?

A1:

Before we can send out the datasets, we must go through several steps, namely, the review and approval of your application followed by the exchange of documents (RIETI will send you the "Terms and Conditions for Use of the Confidential Datasets," and in return you will send to RIETI the "Agreement Form for Required Terms and Conditions per Use of the Developed Confidential Datasets"). The whole process usually takes about two months. Therefore, you are advised to allow this period of time for the application processing plus delivery time before you receive the datasets, though it may take longer depending on the content of your application. Please note that the review and approval process may take longer if it coincides with a holiday or in the case of insufficient or missing information in the application. For the application process, see the flowchart.

Q2:

In the application form, I am required to provide the MAC address of my computer. How can I find this?

A2:

In the case of Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7, you can find the MAC address with the following steps:

1. Open a Command Prompt window by clicking the Start button.
2. Click All Programs and select Accessories.
3. Click Command Prompt and type "ipconfig /all" (space between g and /).
4. 12-digit Physical Address is the MAC address of your computer.

In the case of Mac OS 10.5 and 10.6, you can find the MAC address with the following steps:

1. From the Apple menu, select System Preferences, and then select Network.
2. Select Ethernet for wired connections and AirPort for wireless connections.
3. Click the Advanced button.
4. The 12-digit Ethernet ID or AirPort ID is the MAC address of your computer.

If the operating system of your computer is other than those provided above, search for this information on the Internet.

Q3:

There are three different levels of confidentiality levels—"high" (Level H), "very high" (Level VH), and "ultra high" (Level UH)—and I wonder which confidentiality level the datasets I need for my research fall into. Could you explain the differences among them?

A3:

Level VH and Level UH datasets contain geographic information (addresses of individual respondents to the municipality level in the case of VH and specific addresses in the case of UH) and thus require higher level of protection compared to Level H datasets. Therefore, applications for Level VH and Level UH datasets are subject to stricter review. The use of these datasets is approved only when valid academic reasons explaining why such geographic information is essential to the particular research is clearly shown in the application and approved by RIETI. In order to prevent the leakage of information, Level VH and Level UH datasets are not provided in the form of electronic media. In the case of Level VH, you can work at your own workstations but are required to access the datasets via the RIETI remote control system (SACSES), which is compatible only with Windows XP. In the case of Level UH, you are required to visit RIETI and use its workstation to access the data via the SACSES. For these reasons, you are advised to apply for Level H datasets unless you have an absolute academic necessity to use datasets of a higher confidentiality level.

Q4:

May I send the application and other forms from my web-based personal e-mail address and use it as my contact information?

A4:

No. All of the JSTAR-related forms to be filed with RIETI must be sent from your e-mail account assigned by your affiliated organization (e.g., university, research institute). Applications sent via web-based personal accounts will not be accepted. Your contact e-mail address, which must be the same as your e-mail address reflected in your digital signature, needs to be the one assigned by your affiliated organization. Please note that all of the contact e-mail addresses of other listed users (and that of the supervisor if you are a graduate student) need to be the ones assigned by the appropriate organization.

Q5:

Who needs to submit the Agreement Form for Required Terms and Conditions per Use of the Developed Confidential Datasets?

A5:

All listed users-i.e., not only the applicant but also all individuals who are to use the JSTAR datasets-must submit the form to verify their agreement.

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