A man and his grandson in Tokyo, 73 years apart.

In Japan, an 81-year-old woman named Akiyo reveals the harsh reality many elderly people face when they grow old, poor, and alone. In her 60s, she was first sent to prison after stealing food. Later, she shoplifted again. Her small pension, paid only once every two months, simply wasn’t enough to cover basic needs like food and bills. Slowly, crime began to feel like her only option just to survive.

Inside prison, life was strict but stable. She had regular meals, medical care, and people around her every day. Outside, life felt far more difficult. She says she lived with constant shame and fear of being judged. Even her own son often asked her to leave the house. Over time, she reached a point where she felt there was “no point” in living anymore.

She served her sentence in Tochigi Women’s Prison near Tokyo, which holds about 500 inmates. Around one in five prisoners there are elderly, and many now need help with daily tasks. In a rapidly aging country where nearly 30% of people are over 65, stories like hers show how, for some, a prison cell can feel safer than home.

Traveling to Japan just got even more exciting.
Japan Airlines is offering free domestic flights to certain international visitors as part of a tourism initiative.

The goal is to encourage travelers to explore beyond Tokyo and Kyoto.
From the snowy landscapes of Hokkaido to the beaches of Okinawa, more of Japan is now within reach.