Tuesday, November 4, 2008

National Commission on Social Security

Prime Minister Taro Aso held the 9th meeting of the National Commission on Social Security at the Prime Minister's Office. During the meeting, the entire deliberations of the Commission, including the mid-term report compiled in June and succeeding deliberations focused on matters not finalized in the mid-term report, were compiled into the final report, It incorporates, among other items, views on reform to strengthen the functioning of the social security system.

Prime Minister Aso said in his address, "I sincerely appreciate the Commission for looking into very important matters and laying out a solid foundation for our future discussions, with specific figures on matters including ways to develop policies for financing public pensions and medical and nursing care costs. The social security system is for all the people. Strengthening the functioning of the social security system is an important matter from the people's perspective in that it helps build, for the future, a sense of security. Holding that conviction, I believe it is essential to advance clear-cut deliberations. I ask all the members for continued cooperation."

In closing, Mr. Hiroshi Yoshikawa, Chair of the Commission, said, "What is essential is that the Government takes specific measures, in the spirit of this report," and handed the report to the Prime Minister.