Japan Press Weekly

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2008 June 18 - 24 [POLITICS]

Government panel on social security apparently suggests imposing greater financial burdens on the public

A government panel on social security reform on June 19 submitted to Prime Minister Fukuda Yasuo an interim report that apparently suggests the need to force the public to shoulder a heavier financial burden.

Pointing out that “the social security system will face a financial crunch” with an aging society, the National Council on Social Security report calls on the government to “secure enough revenues both at the national and local levels by achieving a national consensus on the need for the public to bear more financial burdens.”

While the report mentions nothing about fiscal resources, much less a consumption tax increase, it says that the public should be responsible for maintaining the social welfare system, stating, “Beneficiaries must shoulder burdens.”

Aware of the public anger at cutbacks in budgets for social services, the report deliberately proposes some changes in the present policy. However, it allows the government to maintain its controversial policy of slashing the yearly growth of costs for social services by 220 billion yen.

The panel established by the Fukuda Cabinet in January discussed the goal of the social security system reform in the fields of employment, pension, medical, nursing care, and other social security programs.

In its final report due in autumn, the panel will present an estimated amount of costs for medical, nursing care, and social security services.
- Akahata, June 20, 2008