May 25, 2012
Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Representatives Takahashi Chizuko on May 24 emphasized the need to create a program guaranteeing minimum pension benefits at a House special committee meeting on a unified reform of tax and social welfare systems.
Pointing out that out of 3.85 million national pension plan members aged between 20 and 24, 32.2% are contingent workers and 809,000 fail to pay their monthly pension premiums, Takahashi expressed the concern that a number of young people will probably have to live without pension benefits or with very low pensions upon retirement.
Welfare Minister Komiyama Yoko said in response that she shares the same concern.
Takahashi said that the U.N. Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights recommended that the Japanese government introduce a system under which everyone can receive at least a set minimum amount in pension benefits.
Prime Minister Noda Yoshihiko in response admitted that the coalition government of the Democratic, the Social Democratic, and the People's New parties in December 2009 reported to the U.N. committee that they would create a guaranteed minimum pension system.
Takahashi stated that if bowing to the Liberal Democratic and Komei parties and opposing the creation of the minimum benefit system will betray the trust of the international community.
Pointing out that out of 3.85 million national pension plan members aged between 20 and 24, 32.2% are contingent workers and 809,000 fail to pay their monthly pension premiums, Takahashi expressed the concern that a number of young people will probably have to live without pension benefits or with very low pensions upon retirement.
Welfare Minister Komiyama Yoko said in response that she shares the same concern.
Takahashi said that the U.N. Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights recommended that the Japanese government introduce a system under which everyone can receive at least a set minimum amount in pension benefits.
Prime Minister Noda Yoshihiko in response admitted that the coalition government of the Democratic, the Social Democratic, and the People's New parties in December 2009 reported to the U.N. committee that they would create a guaranteed minimum pension system.
Takahashi stated that if bowing to the Liberal Democratic and Komei parties and opposing the creation of the minimum benefit system will betray the trust of the international community.
