Japanese Cabinet Advisory Panel Proposes Raising Age from 65 to 70
Netizens React "Are They Telling Us to Work Until We Die?"
Criticism Grows Over Scheme to Delay National Pension Payments
Some Support Inevitable Due to Aging Population
Japan is in turmoil after the Economic and Fiscal Advisory Council proposed raising the legal elderly age from the current 65 to 70.
Private members attending the Economic and Fiscal Advisory Council, an advisory body to the Japanese Cabinet, expressed the opinion that "as the healthy life expectancy of the elderly extends, the definition of elderly should be reconsidered to increase by 5 years." The photo is not directly related. [Image source=Getty Images]
On the 24th, the online edition of Fuji News Network (FNN) reported that opinions are pouring in on social networking services (SNS) regarding the "definition of elderly" amid discussions about raising the elderly age standard. Previously, private members attending the Economic and Fiscal Advisory Council, a cabinet advisory body in Japan, suggested that "as the healthy life expectancy of elderly people extends, the definition of elderly should be considered for an increase by 5 years."
As this news spread, critical opinions emerged on SNS. One netizen said, "It's simply telling people to work until they die at 100 years old," adding, "No longevity drugs have been developed, and the reality of aging has not changed at all." Another netizen pointed out, "Just because life expectancy has increased does not mean the working age (the age at which one can work) has increased," and added, "Only the period of being elderly gets longer, but the age at which one can work remains unchanged. Will they pay a salary sufficient to live properly while working until 70?" There was also a self-deprecating response saying, "In 30 years, the definition of elderly might be 100 years old."
Many voices say that raising the elderly age standard is ultimately a step to delay pension payments. Netizens commented, "They want to postpone the start of pension payments," or "This is a prelude to giving pensions starting at 70." There were also opinions like, "So, until 70, you are not elderly and should work hard to pay taxes."
FNN reported that although very few, there are also positive reactions. Netizens expressed opinions such as, "It is natural since the average life expectancy has increased," and "Since the average life expectancy has increased, the working period inevitably extends." In particular, some said, "I have no objection to working healthily until 70, but I hope people do not forget that the number of those who lose health and cannot work naturally increases after 65."
In Japan, people receive national pensions starting at 65, and from 2031, the retirement age for public servants will be raised to 65. Private companies like Toyota are also increasing retirement ages from 60 to 70 or even abolishing retirement ages altogether.
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