Regarding the March 29 editorial "Child allowance devoid of principle": It is no surprise that Japan struggles with an aging population coupled with an extremely low birthrate.
Japanese government expenditures on cash and services for families with children ranks among the lowest for 20 OECD countries. Japan spends an inordinate amount of its resources on pension and health care for its elderly.
The March 25 book review in The Japan Times of "Demographic Change and Inequality in Japan" points out how the massive transfer of wealth from the young, working age population — particularly women with children — to relatively wealthy elderly retirees is perpetuating inequality by government design.
The Liberal Democratic Party's attack on the Democratic Party of Japan's child-allowance policy and, now, the push to reduce the amount are evidence of this. It seems the Japanese are destined to exit history, but not before current leaders enjoy their retirement.
The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.