In 2001, the Japan Geriatrics Society released its position statement regarding the terminal care of the elderly. In the statement, it is stated as a technical issue that any medical practice implemented in terminal care should warrant its profit to the patient (position 6). Standardization of all medical practices and methods of care for dying patients is desired, and should be based upon scientific evidence regarding the profitability of the practice for the patient. The standardization of care should aim to exclude physicians' arbitrariness and to endorse patients' autonomy. However, healthcare systems and related scientific evidences that warrant patients' autonomy have not been sufficiently established in Japan. Under the circumstances, we have been engaging in research into the terminal care for older adults from 1997 to date by formulating a research team working under the scheme of comprehensive research project for longevity sciences funded by the ministry of health, labor and welfare. This article reviews findings achieved mainly from the research carried out by the members of the research team.