This page uses Javascript. Please enable Javascript in your browser. Skip to Content Japanese English Chinese About RIETI Site Map Help Contact Discussion Papers Search Site Search Menu Research Areas Research Programs (FY2024-2028) Research Programs (FY2020-2023) Research Programs (FY2016-2019) Research Programs (FY2011-2015) Policy Research Domains (FY2006-2010) Projects Survey Fellows According to Title Alphabetical order RIETI Alumni Research/Policy Papers Discussion Papers (English) Discussion Papers (Japanese) Policy Discussion Papers (English) Policy Discussion Papers (Japanese) Technical Papers (English) Technical Papers (Japanese) Non Technical Summaries List of Articles in Journals Research Digest Discussion Papers Search Publications RIETI Books (English) RIETI Books (Japanese) History of Japan's Trade and Industry Policy Authors' Words Other Publications (English) Other Publications (Japanese) Events Symposiums Workshops BBL Seminars Archived Seminar Series Data JIP Database R-JIP Database CIP Database Industry-Specific Nominal and Real Effective Exchange Rates AMU and AMU Deviation Indicators JSTAR RIETI-TID RIETI FDI Database ICPA Project Links Articles Column Special Series Newspapers & Magazines Fellows' Works VoxEU Column From IZA Perspectives from Around the World Other Contents RIETI Report Policy Update Keizai Sangyo Journal (METI Journal) Research Areas Fellows Research/Policy Papers Publications Events Data Articles Site Map Technical Issues Coontact Discussion Papers Search Close HomeArticlesNewspapers & MagazinesFY2011Social Security as Viewed through Micro-data Social Security as Viewed through Micro-data Part 9: New Trends Print SHIMIZUTANI Satoshi Consulting Fellow, RIETI This time, I would like to introduce two notable trends emerging in the field of internationally comparable panel surveys of middle-aged and elderly people. A key characteristic is that both help enable a more precise comparison of individuals using the same measure. The first emerging trend is the use of biomarkers. Respondents are asked not only to answer the questionnaire but also to provide their specimens by consent. This may include measuring the height, weight, and blood pressure of each respondent as well as collecting blood and saliva samples for medical analysis.As one such practice, the measurement of handgrip strength is included in many surveys because of some research findings showing a significant correlation between handgrip strength and the probability of survival. In the case of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), a panel survey conducted in the United Kingdom, interviewers are accompanied by nurses who draw blood samples for componential analysis and/or saliva samples to examine the level of cortisol, a hormone closely linked to depression. Meanwhile, the newest attempt is to collect DNA information. Although it is still in the trial-and-error stage, massive investments have been made to find which genes affect people's behavior.The collection of biomarkers involves significant challenges. In addition to the costs involved, respondents' consent needs to be obtained, and various ethical issues—such as those regarding the use of data obtained from biomarkers—must be cleared. Yet, vigorous efforts are being made overseas to proceed with such initiatives. Indeed, biomarker data have been long utilized extensively in medical and epidemiological surveys. It would be useful to utilize the know-how accumulated in these fields. The use of biomarker data is crucial to the objective measurement of health conditions. It is thus necessary to make efforts to promote public understanding of the need to collect such information. As part of the Japanese Study of Aging and Retirement (JSTAR) survey, we ask relevant municipalities to provide annual health checkup data, subject to consent from respondents concerned. Such data can be combined with those obtained through the main JSTAR questionnaire for analysis.The second trend is to control for individual differences in perceptions in conducting attitude surveys, which include many questions asking respondents about their "feeling." A typical question would ask respondents to assess the current state of their health on a scale of one to five. It is surely important to let respondents answer subjectively. However, some people might describe their health conditions as "not so good" simply for having a slight cold, whereas others who are hospitalized for serious illness might say their conditions are "good." As such, it would be difficult to make comparison across individuals (and across countries). Thus, as a way to avoid this problem, a new approach, anchoring vignette, which uses hypothetical questions is drawing much attention. A questionnaire under this approach would start with a question asking respondents how they would assess their health status in a specific hypothetical situation (e.g., Person A has been suffering from headaches about once per month, but the headaches are manageable with medicine and do not disturb normal daily activities), that is, if they were Person A. The questionnaire would then ask respondents about their respective personal conditions, which would be controlled for personal differences based on their answers to the hypothetical question. Currently, vigorous efforts are being made to search for appropriate hypothetical situations that can effectively isolate differences in response style across individuals.>> Original text in Japanese* Translated by RIETI from the original Japanese "Yasashii Keizaigaku" column in the September 22, 2011 issue of Nihon Keizai Shimbun. September 22, 2011 Print Article(s) by this author Future of Japan's Long-term Care Insurance Program September 2, 2013［RIETI Report］ Future of Japan's Long-term Care Insurance Program July 30, 2013［Column］ More Research of Price Expectations Needed Now: Essential in enabling Japan to end deflation May 18, 2010［Newspapers & Magazines］ Probing the Issue of Health Disparities: High correlation with income and education - Policies based on the premise of homogeneity should be reconsidered September 8, 2009［Newspapers & Magazines］ Bank Recapitalization in the West - Lessons from Japan February 4, 2009［Newspapers & Magazines］ Articles Column Special Series Newspapers & Magazines FY2024 FY2023 FY2022 FY2021 FY2020 FY2019 FY2018 FY2017 FY2016 FY2015 FY2014 FY2013 FY2012 FY2011 Social Security as Viewed through Micro-data FY2010 FY2009 FY2008 FY2007 FY2006 FY2005 FY2004 FY2003 FY2002 Fellows' Works VoxEU Column From IZA Perspectives from Around the World Other Contents RIETI Report Policy Update Keizai Sangyo Journal Communications Newsletter RSS Feed Facebook X YouTube Research Areas Research Programs (FY2024-2028) Research Programs (FY2020-2023) Research Programs (FY2016-2019) Research Programs (FY2011-2015) Policy Research Domains (FY2006-2010) Projects Survey Fellows Research/Policy Papers Discussion Papers (English) Discussion Papers (Japanese) Policy Discussion Papers (English) Policy Discussion Papers (Japanese) Technical Papers (English) Technical Papers (Japanese) Non Technical Summaries List of Articles in Journals Research Digest Discussion Papers Search Publications RIETI Books (English) RIETI Books (Japanese) History of Japan's Trade and Industry Policy Authors' Words Other Publications (English) Other Publications (Japanese) Events Symposiums Workshops BBL Seminars Archived Seminar Series Data JIP Database R-JIP Database CIP Database Industry-Specific Nominal and Real Effective Exchange Rates AMU and AMU Deviation Indicators JSTAR RIETI-TID RIETI FDI Database ICPA Project Links Articles Column Special Series Newspapers & Magazines Fellows' Works VoxEU Column From IZA Perspectives from Around the World Other Contents RIETI Report Policy Update Keizai Sangyo Journal (METI Journal) About RIETI Privacy Policy Site Policy Site Map Help Contact METI Web Site Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry, IAA (JCN 6010005005426)JCN: Japan Corporate Number Opinions expressed or implied on this website are solely those of the author, and do not necessarily represent the views of the Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).Titles, numbers, specific names, etc. on this website are as of the date of publication. In the case of reposting material from our website, contact us beforehand. Top