Number of elderly reaches record 36.17 mil in Japan

Big surprise!

A little over 25% is consistent with many other developed countries. Why all the fuss and poverty?

And why is that my problem as a gaijin living here only for a few years? Why should I pay into a broken pension system knowing that I will never get my money back?

R T

it is called social responsibility and ethical and moral duty. I am also an expat but in any country (11) i have lived and worked i have paid taxes, pension, health and other social contributions. And you actually do get a part of your pension contributions back when you leave Japan. Which, i hope for all of us, expats and Japanese will come sooner rather then later. I hope you are young enough to be ashamed of your post, later.

Do the hustle - It's the problem coupled with low birth rate. An aging society means longer dependence on social services but without the tax revenue to fund these programs, Japan is facing an existential crises.

So until the government allows immigration and/or provides a post-retirement income that its citizens can actually live on, Japanese people will have to continue working until they die. In the '70's there was a movie made called "They Shoot Horses, Don't They". Dance 'till you drop...

I hope Suga sets up a group to find out why young people are not getting married and having kids, and then develops some actual solutions to mitigate the problem. Are there other problems besides young people not making enough money to get married and have kids? Psychological issues with young people? Are marriage and kids not valued by young people?

The number of Japanese aged 65 and older totaled a record-high 36.17 million as of this month, up 300,000 from a year earlier, government data showed Sunday.

This is why deflation is here to stay and will only get worse. Suga will try to raise taxes on the young to pay pensions to the old. Japan is going from a grape to a raisin.

According to the ministry, the number of Japanese men aged 65 and older stood at 15.73 million, while that of women came to 20.44 million.

25% less men. Clearly shows how anti-male our political and economic system is. Men are basically worked to death and receive.

"it's hard to obtain permanent residence." It's selectively applied - if you're white and from N America, N Europe or Australia or NZ, it's relatively easy - much easier than getting residence in any of the countries named. Likewise, naturalization is possible after 5 years, so Japan can lay claim to your worldwide assets. Poor black, brown and yellow people from the developing world w/o assets need not apply.

And why is that my problem as a gaijin living here only for a few years? Why should I pay into a broken pension system knowing that I will never get my money back?

That is not a healthy mindset.

It is your choice to be here, and to be part of Japan’s problems.

I, naturally, also disagree with some things in Japan, as I did in every country I lived previously - as there is no perfect place in this word.

However Japan allowed me to be here, and for that reason I am grateful for it, as you should also, embracing the less positive things that it brings too as a “side effect”.

After all, this is home now.

That mentality of I do not care about Japan’s problems will only create an even bigger gap between locals and foreigners, which is exactly the opposite of what should happen.

@robert

I don't know exactly what do you mean by "ethical and moral duty". I do pay my taxes and health insurance, that I understand. By the pension here is clearly a scam.

If i work here for 7 years and leave, I get back what I paid for only 3 years. The rest of my money I will never get back. Does that sound fair to your old and wise self?

A little over 25% is consistent with many other developed countries. Why all the fuss and poverty?

Unlike other countries, in Japan that's happen without significant population growth or big change in immigration policy.

Because of this, you need to become older and older to be able to get your pension benefit.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Japan-raises-maximum-age-for-starting-pension-benefits-to-75

You are probably more likely to get welfare than a pension.

R. T. - And why is that my problem as a gaijin living here only for a few years? Why should I pay into a broken pension system knowing that I will never get my money back?

You can apply to get your money back after you have lived outside of Japan for a year. You will receive about 18% back if you don’t have arrears. My Japanese Mrs has been paying into it for a couple of decades. She has paid a little over $60k into it. Her payout figure is $12k. How wonderful, NOT!

36.2 million elders ( 65 years old) in a nation of estimated 125.5 millions, that is ~ 28.8%. Indeed, by year 2030, it could rise to 33.3%, one-third of the total population. What a burden to the nation then, notably the younger generation..

R T

whenever anyone needs to get insulting in a discussion is does not say much good about the argument.

I am not old, as you assume and I pay taxes for 3 companies, myself and staff. And pension and it is not about getting back it is about giving back and respecting the country and people you live in

then that's not a pension, that's a donation

@robert

Where is the "insult"?

"Old and wise" was a sarcastic reply to your comment about me "being young and should be ashamed of myself". It sounds like you think that your opinion is absolutely right and should be regarded higher than others'.

" and it is not about getting back it is about giving back and respecting the country and people you live in"

Honestly this comment doesn't make any sense. I don't have a charity here to donate money. "Giving back" what? and for what? Did i take anything from the government to give back? How is taking my money under the name of "pension" regarded as respecting the country I temporarily live in?