Takako Sodei is a professor emeritus at Ochanomizu University, a special guest professor at Tokyo Kasei Gakuin University, Chair of the Japan Association for Age-free Society, Vice-Chair of the Women’s Association for a Better Aging Society, and Chair of the Community Network Association She graduated from International Christian University and received a master’s degree in sociology from University of California, Los Angeles. She was a chief researcher at the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology before becoming an associate professor and professor at Ochanomizu University and a visiting professor at Tokyo Kasei Gakuin University. Her areas of expertise include gerontology, family sociology, and women’s studies. Sodei was a member of the Council on Population Problems of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Statistics Council and the Council for Gender Equality of the Cabinet Office, etc. Currently, she serves as a member of the health insurance group of the Social Security Council of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Her publications include Teinen karano jinsei (Life after retirement) (The Asahi Shimbun Company), Kazoku: Dai san no tenkanki (Family at the third turning point) (Akishobo), Kawaru kazoku, kawaranai kizuna (The changing family, unfailing bonds) (Minervashobo), Onna no katsuro, otoko no matsuro (New life of women, last days of men) (Chuohoki Publishing Co., Ltd.), and Koureisha wa shakaiteki jakusha nanoka (Are elderly people socially disadvantaged? (Minervashobo).