End of life care policies and laws in England and Japan: from mutual learning to policy transfer

England and Japan are confronted with unprecedented challenges and opportunities in the face of population ageing and changing expectations about death and dying, which place heavy demands on health and social care systems. An in-depth analysis has been undertaken to compare a set of key policy documents and legislation implemented and enacted in both countries. This policy brief summarises key findings from the analysis to report the commonalities and differences of end of life care, decision-making and bereavement support. The policy brief aims to be valuable for academics, policy-makers, practitioners, as well as the general public. It paints a comparative picture of end of life care policies and laws between the two post-industrial and rapidly ageing societies. This comparison enables mutual understanding, aiming to inform and reshape future policy-making and legislation in both countries.