Japan's aging population is demanding more long-term care, but hospitals remain beholden to their acute care wards and the financial incentives they offer. (Source photo by Kyodo)

The acute care dilemma at Japan's hospitals

1 in 3 beds meant for the critically ill fail to live up to expectations

KYO KITAZUME and RINA MITSUTAKE, Nikkei staff writers

July 2, 2022 17:18 JST

TOKYO -- Nearly 35% of acute care beds in Japanese hospitals have failed to serve their intended purpose, a serious misallocation of human and financial resources, according to a study by Nikkei and the Japan Center for Economic Research.