Legislation that has been approved by the Lower House will oblige employers to "make efforts" to secure job opportunities for their employees until they turn 70 if they wish to keep working. A key part of the social security reform pursued by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the measure aims to make up for the growing labor shortage in an aging and shrinking population by prodding the elderly to work longer — and to help support the social security system under demographic pressure.
However, doubts linger as to whether the proposed policy is enough to keep elderly people motivated to continue working into more advanced age in good health and under safe conditions. The policy needs to be constantly examined to see if it's serving the intended purpose.
In Japan, the primary working-age population (from 15 to 64) had declined to 75.45 million as of 2018 — from a peak of 87.26 million in 1995 — accounting for a record low 59.7 percent of the total population, a steep fall from 69.8 percent in 1992. The figure is forecast to decline further to 68.75 million in 2030 and 48 million in 2060.