Journal of Asia Social Science Studies

Welfare State and Elderly Care in Japan: Lessons from One of the World’s Most Aged Societies

Wanna Srichaikul — 2026-08-23

Japan is widely recognized as the most aged society in the world, with more than 28 percent of its population aged 65 and above. This demographic transformation is largely driven by a sustained decline in fertility rates and a significant increase in life expectancy. As a result, Japan faces profound challenges related to economic sustainability, labor supply, and the provision of social welfare. This article aims to (1) analyze the demographic structure of Japan’s aging society, (2) examine Japan’s welfare system and long-term care policies—particularly the Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCI) system, and (3) explore policy lessons that may be applicable to other countries experiencing similar demographic transitions. The findings indicate that Japan has developed a comprehensive welfare system that includes a pension system, universal health coverage, and a long-term care insurance system designed to support the well-being of older adults. These institutional arrangements play a crucial role in ensuring income security and improving the quality of life for the elderly population. However, the system also faces significant challenges, including rising fiscal burdens, shortages of care workers, and the continued caregiving burden placed on families. Key policy lessons from Japan include the development of a long-term care insurance system, the promotion of community-based care, and the integration of health and social welfare services into a coordinated care system. These policy approaches provide valuable insights for countries that are entering aging societies and seeking sustainable strategies for managing demographic change.

Rapid Economic Development and Social Transformation in Vietnam: The Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on Labor Structure

Tanum Budsabangam — 2026-08-23

Abstract

This article examines Vietnam’s rapid economic development following the implementation of the Đổi Mới reforms in 1986, which marked a significant transition from a centrally planned economy to a market-oriented system open to international trade and foreign investment. The study aims to (1) analyze the role of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam’s economic growth, (2) investigate the impact of FDI on labor structure, and (3) explore the social transformations resulting from rapid economic development in the context of globalization.

The findings reveal that FDI has played a crucial role in driving Vietnam’s economic growth by increasing investment, creating employment opportunities, and integrating the country into global value chains. In addition, the relocation of manufacturing bases from China to Vietnam has further strengthened its position as a key manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia. However, rapid economic growth has also led to significant structural changes in the labor market, particularly the shift of workers from agriculture to industrial and urban sectors. This transformation has contributed to urbanization and changes in workers’ lifestyles. At the same time, challenges have emerged, including social inequality, labor issues, and heavy reliance on foreign investment. The article argues that Vietnam should adjust its development model by upgrading its industrial structure, enhancing workforce skills, and promoting sustainable economic growth in order to improve long-term competitiveness.

War as a Mechanism of Social Control: Social and Cultural Impacts of the US–Israel–Iran Conflict

Ponwipa Chumnankul — 2026-08-23

This article aims to analyze war as a mechanism of social control by the state, using the 2026 conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran as a case study. This study employs document analysis and discourse analysis based on academic literature, international reports, and contemporary news sources to examine the relationship between war, fear, and social regulation. The findings reveal that contemporary warfare extends beyond the military domain into social control mechanisms, including the production of structural fear, the expansion of state power under emergency conditions, the control of information, and the construction of social identity through the division between “us” and “the enemy.” Fear plays a crucial role in legitimizing state authority, leading citizens to accept surveillance measures and restrictions on civil liberties. At the same time, war contributes to the formation of social cohesion through nationalism and moral justification of violence. However, the impacts of war are not solely integrative. The study finds that war also fosters a culture of fear, normalizes violence, and erodes social trust, resulting in long-term social polarization and fragmentation. This article argues that contemporary war should be understood as a form of power through which the state shapes behavior and governs society, rather than merely as a military conflict.

From Score Manipulation to Systemic Corruption: Governance and Patronage Networks in Thailand’s Local Government Examinations

Pakon Silanon — 2026-08-23

This article examines corruption in competitive examinations for recruitment into Thailand’s local government service through the conceptual frameworks of governance, systemic corruption, and patronage networks. It employs documentary research based on academic studies, scholarly articles, official documents, and literature concerning corruption control. The findings indicate that score manipulation, bribery, brokerage, and interference in appointment processes should not be viewed merely as misconduct committed by isolated individuals. Rather, such practices result from connections among applicants, brokers, officials with access to examination information, personnel controlling score-processing systems, and supervising authorities. These practices are facilitated by the high economic and social value of public positions, fragmented accountability across multiple organizations, and digital systems that may concentrate control over examination data in the hands of a limited number of individuals. Such corruption normalizes the use of money and personal connections, reproduces patronage networks within the bureaucracy, transforms public positions into investments expected to generate returns, and undermines public trust in local administrative organizations and Thailand’s public administration. The article argues that addressing the problem requires more than punishing individuals who manipulate examination scores. Structural reforms should include separating responsibilities throughout the examination process, developing information systems with complete audit trails, allowing applicants to verify their scores, tracing personal networks and financial transactions, protecting whistleblowers, and holding executives accountable for failures in supervision. These measures are necessary to dismantle the structures that enable public positions to be bought and sold and to restore public confidence in government recruitment.