On the 14th of September 2023, the 3rd episode of the NDRI Knowledge Café series took place
at the NDRI premises. The featured speaker for the event was Professor Dr. Masahiro Umezaki,
who holds the position of Head of the Department of Human Ecology and serves as the Chairperson
of the School of International Health in the Graduate School of Medicine at The University of Tokyo.
During the event, Professor Umezaki delivered a presentation focusing on the topic "Impact of Aging and Depopulation on Health: A lesson from a case study in Rural Japan.”

Professor Umezaki's presentation centered on the experiences of communities in Japan as they
undergo the processes of aging and depopulation. Special attention was paid to the dietary habits
and health status of the elderly population in Japan. His presentation highlighted the serious
concerns arising from depopulation trends that Japan is currently facing and the likelihood that
Nepal may also encounter similar challenges if the rate of migration continues to increase rapidly.
He discussed various reasons for migration, such as the pursuit of better education and livelihood
opportunities. He also expressed concerns about delayed family planning, leading to increased
infertility rates and ultimately contributing to population decline.
One key point emphasized by Professor Umezaki was the importance of preserving cultural
traditions and festivals to ensure the happiness and well-being of society. He highlighted several
problems associated with depopulation, including issues related to infant and maternal mortality,
as well as a significant decline in the dependency ratio, which presents its own set of challenges.
Overall, the presentation provided valuable insights into the impact of demographic changes on
health and society in the context of rural Japan, with potential implications for other regions facing
similar demographic shifts.

The event was moderated by Dr. Krishna Pahari, Senior Livelihood and Food Security Specialist,
NDRI, chaired by Dr. Nawa Raj Khatiwada, President, NDRI and attended (in person as well as
virtually) by NDRI Members, Staff and Guests from Nepal and abroad.