If they have enough money to buy weapons, I would prefer them to switch it to pensions.

Fair, very fair point.

Can I get a hallelujah!

Hallelujah

It’s like holding a banner saying “I’m against poverty” . Meaningless. Are we tracking the massive geopolitical power shifts or are we just resorting to these sort of ridiculous oversimplifications? Hallelujah to what? The simpleton?

Meanwhile in the productive world. Rely on yourself folks and plan for retirement.

Are we tracking the massive geopolitical power shifts or are we just resorting to these sort of ridiculous oversimplifications?

Weapons, tax breaks for Japan Inc, rice farming subsidies, roads to nowhere, foreign aid, sweetheart deals for right wing school chums--the list goes on and on. Why is it that governments are all for austerity where social welfare is concerned but they act like spendthrifts in every other part of the budget. And it's not like this woman or any of the rest of us who've been paying into this scheme are looking for a handout. You pay in now for the benefit of those currently collecting and later you get what you deserve.

This doesn't mean we won't have to rely on ourselves, at least in part. None of us are blind to the looming demographic crisis. But your framing this woman's words as those of a simpleton or pie in the sky lead are way off. Countries interested in having a rational conversation about their priorities might be surprised at what they can afford. The fact that this country's discourse is dominated by patrician lords goes a long way towards explaining why we won't be having that kind of talk. A compliant media is another.

It's hardly unique to Japan, mind you. Politicians in my home country, of the trillion-dollar defense appropriation, make the same argument--we just don't have enough money for health care or social security or schools. But they can spend literally trillions on useless planes and futile wars.

Not to worry, I'm the sure the olds will be able to eat some defense contracts when the time comes.

@jcapan Bang on.

Challenges a plenty. Agreed. It’s called life. Just don’t see the utility in screaming bloody murder from the sidelines, nor slogan type thinking to navigate these extremely real and complex challenges. Unless I was an expert in military capabilities of future friends and foes, budget and economic forecasts and pension issues, better to just not to be too over opinionated.

Will just stick to the premise of self reliance and not expect any government to play the role of daddy. People will get what’s coming to them either way. The sooner people learn this cold hard fact the better. It’s actually quite a load off.

Ricky, I simply don't see an alternative to screaming bloody murder when we're ruled by the incompetent and venal. Do you think Abe or Aso's interests are the same as your average worker's in this country? And I reject outright this idea that citizens must be expert to venture an opinion. The supposed experts have been in charge in Japan for the past 30 years since the bubble blew up in their faces. How's that working out? The experts were supposedly in charge of the nuclear industry and look where that's got us. I could go on about the experts in other countries too, neoliberal experts who paved the way to Trump & friends, or the architects of Iraq, but I'll spare you. Maybe our trust in experts differs.

Authorities want us to be confused, they want us to toss up our hands and say shouganai. That's their intent. Keep discussions and the actual decision-making out of our hands. You know, little old us--the folks paying their salaries. It's our taxes being used to fund their pet projects, endless and fruitless committees, and boondoggles. And what a coincidence that the experts within government and industry all agree that what's best for the wealthy and the largest corporations is what's best for all of us. I wonder why that is.

B/C the government is doing a very poor job of running the pension system should not mean giving up on it entirely. And paying out retirement funds that we paid for is not playing daddy. Good god man, get a grip.

B-b-b-b-b-ut there isn't enough money! That's why they have to raise taxes, right? Oh... wait. Guess we know where the tax raise will go.

The definition of intelligence is knowing what you are NOT competent in. Have to wonder how many experts and tops in their fields you’ve spoken to at length regarding these complex social issues or have you just subscribed to the “all power is corrupt” school of anti-thought. Would prefer to hear any possible solutions you may have, otherwise it’s all pretty much the same. Ho hum. You’re speaking to an ex lefty here so i do know where your coming from, just over it.