Study on Legal Framework for Supported Decision-making in Financial Transactions for the Elderly

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K01373
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 05060:Civil law-related
• Research Institution: Yamanashi Prefectural University
• Principal Investigator: Akihisa SHIBUYA 山梨県立大学, 国際政策学部, 名誉教授 (40550463)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 代行意思決定 / 支援付き意思決定 / 成年後見制度 / 高齢者 / 預金契約 / 任意代理権 / 事実上の後見 / 意思能力

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The current study examined for the financial transactions with a person with diminished capacity to make decisions. Findings specifically indicated the following:
①Applying the cognitive function of the individual to the quantitative scale of property management capacity must be based on the need for legal protection of the individual based on the necessity, diversity, and individual circumstances in the individual's life situation. ②Because of the growing concern of abuse of authority by voluntary agents without an official supervisor under the Guardianship of Adults Act, financial institutions are required to understand the level of capacity of the counterparty to a transaction and to detect the legitimacy of the right of representation of a person other than the principal. ③Financial institutions are required to cooperate with the medical and nursing care fields, which are non-financial fields, and to train financial personnel who are familiar with transactions with the elderly.

Free Research Field

民事法

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

現在、わが国では意思能力の減退という認知機能のみならず、多くの高齢者が身体的能力の衰えや生活面での補助や支援を求めている。特に生活資金の管理口座である預金取引における銀行等との法的関係を安定化させ、高齢預金者に必要な金融サービスが求められる。本研究成果により、担い手となる金融機関の役割拡大と地域単位での連携により、金融機関により見守り人材の育成、高齢者の預金口座にチェック機能と安全性を設け、地域における認知症高齢者等の見守り力をつける主体としての役割を担えることができる意義がある。