The government decided Tuesday to reform the pension system by expanding the range of part-time workers who can join the kōsei nenkin public pension program for corporate employees. The measure is aimed at increasing the number of people, especially women and elderly workers who tend ...
Japan's record fiscal 2020 budget clears Lower House
The ¥102.66 trillion fiscal 2020 budget denies extra funding for COVID-19 but addresses soaring welfare costs and promotes free education and cashless purchases to offset last year’s tax hike.
In policy speech, Abe vows to establish 'new era of Japanese diplomacy'
The prime minister Monday focused his speech on foreign policy, delivering a notable change in phrasing regarding South Korea.
Japan to urge firms to employ workers until age 70 from next year
The labor ministry plans to urge companies from April 2021 to ensure jobs are available for workers until the age of 70, it was learned Wednesday. The ministry will also require large companies with over 300 workers to publish the number of mid-career hires on ...
Thousands of people demonstrated on Saturday against French President Emmanuel Macron's proposed pension reforms that have sparked a monthlong transport strike. Some protesters donned the yellow vests that over the past year have become symbolic of opposition to Macron's attempts at reforms that he says ...
People in their mid-30s through mid-40s have gotten a raw deal from Japan, and it's high time for the goverment and employers do right by them.
Economic priorities beyond Abenomics
Japan must move beyond Abenomics to start a new era of confidence and sustained growth.
Widening pension coverage will not only add to the benefits irrgegular workers receive in retirement but shore up pension finances by increasing the number of participants in the program.
No excuse for inaction on pension reforms
Restoring the primary balance should not be used as an excuse to avoid enacting pension system reform.
The consumption tax hike delays painful spending reforms
Kicking the can down the road on social security reform should not be a policy option.
Free preschool education raises concerns over run on nurseries
The Oct. 1 start of a government program making preschool education free of charge has raised concerns about a possible increase in children waiting to be accepted into nurseries. The program covers children age 3 to 5 as well as those up to 2 years ...
Abe opens Diet session with call for social welfare reform for all generations
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe kicks off the extraordinary Diet session by tweaking his social welfare vows to appeal more to seniors and people with disabilities as he targets Article 9.
