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Working differently for a humane society
Japan should overhaul its old systems to improve the quality of life so that people can lead a ``humane, leisurely and balanced life,'' Kimihiro Masamura, professor emeritus at Senshu University, told The Asahi Shimbun in a recent interview. Excerpts follow: Q:You have been advocating reform of Japan since the 1970s. How do you see the present situation? A:Prime Minister (Junichiro) Koizumi has been saying in plain language that he'll break up the old systems. In this sense, he is a new type of Liberal Democratic Party leader. The problem is, it's not at all clear what kind of society he wants to build after the old systems have been destroyed. That's why there is no groundswell of public support and why politics is going nowhere. This is not real reform. Q:What needs to be done? A:First, we should establish a new national goal. Japan caught up with major industrialized countries in the 1970s when it achieved rapid economic growth. But Japan has continued its pursuit for affluence and convenience. We should change the goal to build a new society where people can lead a humane, leisurely and balanced life and where children can grow up vigorously. Also, we must restore confidence in our systems for providing security in life. At present, there's no confidence in the social security and childcare support systems. Q:What are some of the problems in the social security system? A:Young people think it is ridiculous that they should pay high public pension premiums to support the elderly, rather than prepare for their own lives in retirement. The government has followed a makeshift policy, avoiding premium increases in spite of the falling birthrate. The result is a shortfall in the pension fund. Social security is a joint program to prepare for life in retirement and cover risks such as illness. It must be built on the sense of security, or confidence that everyone can receive social support. People take a selfish look at social security because the government has not explained the philosophy behind it and has taken only stopgap measures. Q:What is your take on childcare? A:The birthrate began to drop in the mid-1970s. That's when we should have seriously discussed social support for childcare. More and more working women decided not to have babies-a trend that reflected the progress of urbanization and the growing number of salaried workers. But the government was slow to respond, for fear of creating the impression that it was pushing to create a baby boom the way it did before World War II. Q:What should be done to build a humane society? A:First, we should change the way people work. Now part-time workers are treated as nonregular workers, so they are not well aware of their rights and responsibilities. This situation should be corrected. If part-timers are treated as regulars, women and the elderly will find it easier to work. For instance, married women can work full time for a certain period, work part time while rearing children, and work full time again after the children grow up. This will allow for lifetime financial planning. For that to happen, though, it's necessary to shake up company-financed social security programs as well as the tax system. Job-hopping should not put workers at a disadvantage in pensions and other areas of social security. What is needed is a system whereby society directly supports individuals. Basic (national) pensions should be paid in taxpayer money, and their amounts should be substantially increased to reinforce the sense of security. With the government deficit reaching crisis proportions, we need to devise a long-term strategy looking 30 to 50 years ahead. Spending should be concentrated in essential areas such as education and welfare. Kimihiro Masamura, 70, is also head of the Research Forum on Socio-Economic Policy, a group of trade unionists and scholars that makes policy proposals. Copyright
© 2002 Global Action on Aging
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