As the graying of the population progresses and the birth rate hovers at a low level, cracks are appearing in Japan's social security system, including medical and nursing care services and pensions.

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda devoted a section of his Sept. 13 policy speech before the Diet to "the revival of a large middle class and social security reform."

He said the middle class, supported by the social security system, served as the foundation for economic development and social stability in the past and that if this class is decimated, people's resignation will turn into disappointment and then to anger, thus undermining the stability of Japanese society. His perception is correct. But unfortunately he did not spell out specific measures to strengthen the middle class.