"The Japanese elderly who will stay in the residences are people approaching their retirement age. Their average age is 55 years old. They will stay there during their holidays," NSTB Director Widjiyanto said here Friday.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the project was signed by Widjiyanto and Kyoto City Mayor Yasushi Nakayama at the Grand Kawanua Convention Center in Manado in the presence of North Sulawesi Governor Sinyo H. Sarundajang on Friday.
According to Widjiyanto, the idea to enable Japanese elderly people spend their holidays in Minahasa arose during the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) being held in Manado from January 8 to 15.
He said the cooperation was a momentum for the establishment of closer relationship between Manado and Kyoto City.
"The number of elderly people aged 55 years and over now accounts for 40 percent of Japan`s population but they are still working," said Widjiyanto.
"Therefore, Kyoto`s elderly are interested in making North Sulawesi their second home town after Kyoto," he said.
Construction of the residences would be started later this year and expected to be completed in 2014 on 108 ha of land in Paso village, Kakas subdistrict, Minahasa.
"The residential area will feature a hot spring and sport facilities," he said.
Minahasa, Paso Village in particular, was chosen for the elederly residences project because of its climate and natural hot water sources.
"Paso village is a place very suitable for elderly people ," he added.
(Uu.A060/HAJM/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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