2026 POLLS: Social Security Remains Conundrum for Parties

Tokyo, Jan. 29 (Jiji Press)–While pledging to reduce the social security burden on working generations in the campaign for the Feb. 8 general election, Japanese political parties continue to struggle with how to make the country’s social security system financially sustainable. Japan is seeing growing demand for social security services as its population ages. Meanwhile, the burden on working generations is increasing due to the declining birthrate. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has been seeking to reduce social insurance premiums for working generations, while supporting medical institutions struggling with unprofitable management amid inflation. To help struggling medical institutions, the Takaichi administration has decided to raise medical service fees by the most in 30 years. To lower insurance premiums, the government plans to charge patients additional fees for drugs similar to over-the-counter medications and raise the cap on out-of-pocket medical expenses. The government is also considering increasing out-of-pocket costs for medical and nursing care services for the elderly. However, this is not specifically mentioned in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s campaign platform. The Japan Innovation Party, the LDP’s coalition partner, aims to reduce annual medical costs by 4 trillion yen while seeking to require the elderly to pay 30 pct of their medical costs, the same rate as younger people. Still, it is unclear whether the LDP will agree to this. Meanwhile, the LDP is backing the introduction of a refundable tax credit program aimed at increasing the disposable income of middle- and low-income earners. The specifics of this program will be discussed at a suprapartisan panel. The Centrist Reform Alliance, a new party formed by the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and Komeito, the LDP’s former coalition partner, is also supporting a refundable tax credit program and promising to implement it alongside a cut in social insurance premiums. The Democratic Party for the People is calling for an insurance premium refund system for middle- and low-income individuals. Sanseito aims to raise wages for medical and nursing care workers by increasing fees and reviewing excessive medical services. Regarding measures to address the declining birthrate, the DPFP has vowed to scrap a child benefit system that collects surcharges in medical insurance premiums. Sanseito is proposing a monthly benefit of 100,000 yen per child aged 15 or younger. The Japanese Communist Party is seeking to end a system that effectively reduces public pensions. Reiwa Shinsengumi is calling for a minimum guaranteed pension system to prevent poverty among the elderly. Although each party’s platform mentions funding for social security measures, discussions on how to secure the necessary funds are still in the early stages. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]