American Society: A Society of Perfect Adults

The concept of “Less is More” has since been embodied by many architects and interior designers, such as John Pawson (www.johnpawson.com), known for his minimalist style in London. I believe it is a concept that deserves renewed attention as the most relevant philosophy and ideology for confronting the serious environmental issues and unchecked super-aging society that are surfacing in various forms today.

My week in Reston, Virginia, unexpectedly provided an opportunity to personally re-examine the meaning of “Less is More.” For instance, it is almost impossible to create such a planned city in Japan today, as the fundamental approach to land availability differs from that in America. There are also societal and public opinion differences, with American society being a society of perfect adults.

However, what can be felt here is the paradoxical outcome of the “Less is More” philosophy. A daily life of high standards, free from waste and unnecessary effort; a system that yields greater benefits with lower expenses; and a high baseline of fundamental structures and systems mean that there is no need to strive for higher standards, thus allowing for reduced expenses. This is highly effective for the systems Japan faces and will continue to face regarding elder care (measures for a super-aged society). (The word 'elderly' can sound distant, and potentially discriminatory, hence the use of 'elders,' a word that includes a modicum of respect for those who are older.)

The Foundation of Comfortable Living is Fundamentally Different

In America, you don't need to move your refrigerator, washing machine, or dryer when you relocate; they are already present in your new home. Furthermore, most residences are equipped with microwaves, dishwashers, and garbage disposals that can grind and flush food waste. The discomfort that Japanese people might feel about using appliances previously used by strangers is virtually nonexistent. They are, of course, perfectly cleaned by professionals, and in some cases, they are brand new.

While this may seem trivial, it is because the standard equipment for daily living is complete at a certain level of sufficiency, free from the influence of competitive details among sellers or excessive ornamentation and personal taste. This serves as the foundation for a comfortable life. The higher the baseline of daily life, the richer and more equitable life becomes.

Refrigerators and washing machines do not need to compete with unnecessary decorations or excessive functions; their essential requirement is to function normally and be simple and unobtrusive enough not to disrupt the interior design.

Housing Effective for an Elderly Society

In Reston, Virginia, a typical apartment complex offers amenities such as marble kitchen countertops, large stainless-steel refrigerators, compact white washers and dryers, and on the top floor, facilities like a swimming pool, gym, meeting rooms, a community room with a large screen, a coffee bar, and a wireless internet system. The rent, including management fees, for a one-bedroom unit (with a balcony and parking space, approximately 2.5 times the size of a 1K in Tokyo) ranges from about 150,000 to 180,000 Japanese yen. This is the standard, and a high standard of living signifies a rich life. A life of high expenses, living in an expensive house surrounded by the latest appliances, is by no means a rich life.

What can be considered here is housing and environmental creation that is effective for an elderly society. Isn't it everyone's ideal to maintain their Quality of Life (QOL) while remaining as independent as possible? Here, QOL refers to a self-sufficient lifestyle where one is satisfied with life and can experience even a little happiness, living daily life without relying on others (including family).

Balance becomes crucial here. Neither isolation nor forced assimilation leads to QOL. It is about balancing the freedom gained through independence with the protection received through dependence. It is about creating one's own life while balancing the privacy afforded by keys and telephones (communication tools) with the assurance and protection derived from shared environments, facilities, services, and infrastructure, which represent a certain standard. This is likely the desirable lifestyle for individuals aged 65 and above (assuming 65 is the age of being elderly).

Ultimately, rather than thinking in terms of 'elders,' an environment that is comfortable for elders is comfortable for everyone. Therefore, it is necessary to establish standards for housing and living environments based on the original concept.

Imagining Daily Life in Old Age

The余裕 (yoyu - leeway/comfort) and liberation from stress gained through a daily life supported by planned, balanced, and high-standard equipment, such as that found in Reston, Virginia, are perhaps the most effective conditions, especially in old age.

For example, in Japan, infrastructure such as central heating and garbage disposals (in-sink food waste grinders) is not yet generally widespread.

How thoroughly is a system in place for disposing of garbage at any time one wishes? The difficulty of taking out trash on a designated day and to a designated location is something that healthy individuals cannot fully grasp when their physical mobility is limited. Furthermore, consider the amount of caregiving waste generated by a household caring for someone who needs diaper changes, the stress involved in disposing of that waste, and the potential for falls and resulting fatalities or severe injuries in extremely cold bathrooms or entryways. Central heating ensures that all spaces are maintained at a constant temperature.

Is this a matter of price? I sense a gap not in cost, but in mindset, between spending money on meaningless excessive ornamentation or imposed fantastical conveniences, and paying attention to basic living equipment such as heating and circulation for ventilation.