WORLD
Abe opens session with call for social welfare reform for all generations
Baku, October 9, AZERTAC
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe set the tone for this year`s extraordinary Diet session with a pledge in his opening remarks to overhaul the nation`s social welfare system to create one beneficial for all generations, according to the Japan Times.
“We will fearlessly push forward reform that will span the pension, medical, nursing, and labor systems,” he told lawmakers assembled in the Diet. “We will create a social welfare system that will provide security to all generations — from young children to the old,” he added.
He also touched on planned reforms, including creating employment opportunities for the elderly until the age of 70, putting more weight into preventive care and expanding the scope of the employees’ pension plan to include more part-time and contract workers. The government`s decision to urge companies to secure employment opportunities for their workers up to the age of 70 aims to make up for Japan`s tightening manpower shortage and help ease the pressure on the social security system brought on by the rapidly aging and declining population.