National Jan 11, 2015
Social security measures using consumption tax hike revenue drafted
Using revenue from the sales tax increase, the government draws up measures to better support families with children and improve social welfare services.
National Jan 7, 2015
Ready for your My Number ID? Many Japanese firms aren't
Companies have been slow in preparing for the launch of the My Number social security and tax identity system a year from now, despite its expected wide-ranging impact on employers. Slated for introduction in January 2016, the numbers will help simplify the administration of ...
National Dec 8, 2014
Gaffe-prone Aso takes aim at young people without kids
After telling Japan’s growing ranks of elderly they should “hurry up and die,” Finance Minister Taro Aso has turned his well-oiled gaffe gun on “people who don’t give birth.” The former prime minister said pensioners are not to blame for the spiraling social welfare ...
Japan-related Dec 8, 2014
Economics of 'memento mori'
by Chikako Nakayama
The primary role of taxes — the redistribution of money for social security and welfare purposes — has been neglected, hidden by the more pressing need to reduce debt.
Editorial Dec 5, 2014
Keep safety nets in place
Postponement of the consumption tax rate hike must not be used as an excuse to reduce funding of social security programs for low-income people, children from poor families and child-rearing households.
Politics & Diplomacy Dec 3, 2014
U.S. House approves bill to stop Social Security pay to suspected Nazi war criminals abroad
Suspected Nazi war criminals would be blocked from receiving U.S. government pension benefits under a bill unanimously approved Tuesday by the House. The measure would shut a loophole that allowed suspected Nazis to be paid millions of dollars in benefits. Under the bill, benefits ...
National Nov 27, 2014
Delay of tax hike will hit elderly hardest: experts
by Kanoko Matsuyama
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s decision to postpone the second stage of the sales tax hike is likely to wreak havoc on health care provisions for the elderly. Abe last week delayed plans to raise the sales tax to 10 percent from 8 percent until ...
World Oct 24, 2014
U.S. lawmakers seek to end benefits to former Nazis
Legislation to stop suspected Nazi war criminals from receiving U.S. government pension benefits will be introduced soon, members of Congress announced Thursday, the latest response to an Associated Press investigation that revealed millions of dollars have been paid to former Nazis who were forced ...
Editorial May 18, 2014
Boosting the female workforce
The Abe administration is pushing for a review of household tax and social security benefits under the belief that current rules discourage many women from participating in the labor force — even as the nation faces a steep decline in its working-age population.
Editorial May 8, 2014
The changing face of society
It is important that Japan reform its employment systems and social security programs so that it can better cope with the shrinking labor supply and the needs of the 65-and-over crowd, now more than one-quarter of the population.
Politics & Diplomacy | ANALYSIS Feb 9, 2014
Comprehensive agenda, anti-nuclear failures ensured Masuzoe victory
by Masaaki Kameda
Yoichi Masuzoe’s ability to address a wide range of issues and the failure of his rivals to keep the public’s attention focused on nuclear energy were the keys to his victory in Sunday’s Tokyo gubernatorial election, experts say. “The pledges on which Masuzoe put ...
Politics & Diplomacy Aug 5, 2013
DPJ to exit ruling bloc welfare reform talks
The Democratic Party of Japan will exit social security reforms talks with the ruling bloc to protest the low odds it faces in attaining any of its goals.