Day, "People aged 75 and over should also contribute to low birth rates"

'Reform of Childbirth and Childcare Lump-Sum Payment'
Gradual Increase in Insurance Premiums for 'Late Elderly' from 2024
Over 90,000 'Super Elderly' Last Year

As the low birthrate phenomenon continues, the Japanese government has decided to require even super-aged individuals aged 75 and older to bear the 'lump-sum childbirth and childcare allowance' cost.

[Image source=Pixabay]

According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun on the 10th, the Japanese government held a cabinet meeting on the same day and approved a revision bill that includes the burden of funds for the lump-sum childbirth and childcare allowance in the 'Late Elderly Medical System' for those aged 75 and older.

The Japanese government explained the reason for approving the revision bill as "medical expenses due to aging are steadily increasing, but the intention is to require a certain contribution from the elderly to reduce the burden on the working generation."

Until now, the fund for the lump-sum childbirth and childcare allowance set by the Japanese government has been 300 billion yen (approximately 2.88 trillion won) annually. So far, it has been covered by insurance premiums from generations excluding the elderly. However, starting in 2024, the government plans to deduct the portion for childbirth and childcare support from the insurance premiums paid by the 'late elderly.' The late elderly are those aged 75 and older, while those aged 65 to 74 are classified as early elderly.

The Japanese government plans to gradually increase the insurance premiums for late elderly individuals with higher income levels and raise the insurance premium cap from the current 669,633 yen (approximately 6.63 million won) to 800,000 yen (approximately 7.7 million won).

Meanwhile, Japan has expanded economic support for pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare, including regular prenatal checkups, lump-sum childbirth and childcare allowances, childbirth allowances, and childcare leave support payments. Nevertheless, Japan's total fertility rate last year was 1.30. In response, the government raised the childbirth and childcare support allowance to 500,000 yen (approximately 4.8 million won) starting this year to encourage childbirth.

The super-aged population is also increasing rapidly. Last year, the number of super-aged individuals aged 100 and older in Japan exceeded 90,000 for the first time in history. According to a report announced by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on September 16 last year, the population aged 100 and older was counted as 90,526 as of the previous day. This is an increase of 4,016 compared to 2021 and about five times more than 20 years ago. The number of elderly aged 100 and older in Japan is 72.13 per 100,000 people, showing an increasing trend for 52 consecutive years.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.