In an attempt to ease the financial strain of a rapidly aging society, a panel from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party released an interim report Thursday that calls for the establishment of an independent medical insurance system into which those aged 75 and older would have to contribute.
A final report that reflects the views of the three ruling parties and the government on medical system reform is to be drawn up in March.
However, the health ministry is said to be leaning toward leaving the independent insurance system proposal as an option, along with the idea of readjusting the financial burdens under the current system so premiums and benefits are based more on age.