From Filial Piety to Loyalty: A Comparative Study of Elderly Care Measures in China and Japan from the Perspective of Localized Differences in Confucian Filial Culture
Abstract
This paper uses the method of literature research and comparative research to study the development path of Confucian filial piety culture in China and Japan and its interaction with the old-age care system. By sorting out the development path of Confucian filial piety culture in the two countries, it is found that the two countries share the origin of Confucian culture, but different paths of national construction since modern times have led to the differentiation of old-age care ethics. China adheres to the core of filial piety culture and implements family-based old-age care, while Japan has formed an ethics with loyalty as the core after localized transformation and implements socialized old-age care. However, this difference is not absolute. China is using social services to make up for the practical difficulties of family-based old-age care. The study believes that the old-age care model is the result of the combined effect of culture, system and economy. The construction of China's old-age care system needs to respect cultural inertia, base on the foundation of filial piety culture, strengthen system supply and improve old-age care security.
References
- Zeng, Z.Y. (2000). Confucian Filial Piety Culture and Its Influence. Theory Journal, (1), 116–119.
- Fujisaki, H. (2009). The Long-Term Care Insurance System and the "Socialization" and "Re-familialization" of Care. Journal of Welfare Sociology, 6, 41–57.
- Tanaka, N.S. (2007). The Acceptance of Filial Piety Thought and Ancient Medieval Literature.
- Li, G.X. (2011). On the Historical Evolution of the Concept of Filial Piety in Japan: From the Perspective of "The Ballad of Narayama". Academic Exchange, (9), 55–58.
- Yang, Z.K. and Xu, X.F. (1996). A Brief Discussion on the Differences Between Chinese and Japanese Confucianism. Seeking Truth Journal, (3), 36–38.
- Jiang, X.X. (2019). Analysis of Japan's Modern Social Security System for the Elderly. Japanese Studies, 33(3), 45–53.
- Shi, H. and Luan, Z.M. (2010). The Inheritance and Transformation of the Confucian Concept of "Filial Piety" in Japan: Starting from Japanese Family Precepts. Social Sciences Abroad, (5), 59–64.
- Yamada, H. and Tamaoki, S. (1996). Statistical Analysis on Changes in Family Structure of Households Including the Elderly. Journal of Architecture and Planning , 61(483), 199–210.
- Li, Z. (1993). Traditional Japanese Family System and the Concept of "Ie" . World History, (4), 70–77.
- Kato, A. (2025). Family Structure in Japan. Bulletin of the Institute of Social Sciences, Meiji University, 63(2), 128–165.
- Nakane, C. (1967). Vertical Society: Human Relationships.
- Chen, B.Y. and Zhou, C. (2022). The Evolution Trajectory of Japanese Filial Piety Based on Family Forms. Journal of Southeast University (Philosophy and Social Science), 24(S1), 9–11.