Tokyo Times

Photographs from a small group of islands

Salary men seniors

In a plan to counter the nation’s ageing population and future pension problems, a governmental advisory panel has hit upon an ingenious solution. Have people work longer, thus delaying their pension claims.

The panel called for Japan to make it possible for people to work until they are 75 by the year 2030. And in a gesture of benevolence, a governmental subcommittee also recommended creating a society in which people can maintain good health until the age of about 80.

Giving future salary men seniors a measly 5 years on average to really enjoy their retirement. That’s big of the government.

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Comments

  1. Good luck in the Bloggies, I see you’ve also been selected as a finalist. I’ve dipped into your site on occasion and have always enjoyed your work. May the best blog win blah blah.

  2. Thank you very much Pieman.

    It was a nice surprise to say the least when I found out I’d been selected as a finalist. Lets just hope they get the bandwidth issue sorted out, or else nobody will get a chance to vote!

    Good luck!

  3. You have to agree that this is better than the gas chambers. At least they productively work to their deaths.

    Forget the five years of retirement, as I don’t think they will even make it to 75!

    Anyway, so now onwards do we expect sub-standard Japanese products and services alongside gibberish, or have they not factored senility in the equation at all?

    Cheers!

  4. Hi there, first time poster.

    Good work finding interesting news items everyday!

    This post reminds me of that 70’s science fiction movie “Soylent Green” where overpopulation and food shortage was a big problem in the future and they allowed old people to go and die if they wanted to. Little did everyone know that the bodies where processed into the food called soylent green for people to consume.

    Anyway, I also think that part of the reason might be that there are fewer young people to fill the places being left by retirees so delaying the retirement age helps everyone, sort of.

  5. Well, it wouldn’t surprise me if japanese old people are bing killed and recycled into Kyushoku (school lunches). Anyone who’s worked in a Japanese school knows what I’m talking about.