| Author Name | ZHAO Meng (Gakushuin University) / YIN Ting (Fellow (Specially Appointed), RIETI) |
|---|---|
| Creation Date/NO. | September 2025 25-E-094 |
| Research Project | Economic Analysis on the problem of an aging population and a declining birthrate in China and Japan in the COVID-19 pandemic |
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Abstract
Beyond the natural cognitive decline that accompanies aging, a growing body of research suggests that social capital can influence this process, particularly after retirement. This study investigates the interplay among social capital, retirement, and cognitive function. Using longitudinal Japanese data from 2007, 2009 and 2011, we assess three cognitive domains - orientation to time and place, short-term memory, and calculation ability - and examine how they can be affected by working status and social capital, proxied by participation in social activities and the size of one’s friendship network. The major findings of this study are: (1) the cognitive effects of retirement appear to be complex and dynamic; and (2) social capital and employment interact with each other, with regular participation in social activities playing a protective role in cognitive aging.
