THE HAGUE, Netherlands -- The high-profile battle over pension reform during the last Diet session was a rude awakening for the public, which had largely been oblivious to how precariously close the system was to collapse.
Yet many of the structural problems plaguing the pension system, including Japan's rapidly aging society and falling birthrate, are not unique. Many developed countries face similar problems and are grappling for solutions.
The Netherlands, for example, is considering using more tax revenue to sustain its public pension program to match demographic trends. In doing so, it plans to abolish tax breaks for people who retire early.