日本社会保障面临的挑战——基于人口减少社会的视角

Challenges in Japan's Social Security System:Considering a Soicety with a Declining Population

日本已成功建立了全面的社会保障体系,实现了全民医疗和全民年金等目标。该制度的演变跨越了漫长的历史,适应了每个时代的挑战。第二次世界大战结束后,日本采取政策措施为生活贫困者、儿童和残疾人建立了相应的社会救助和社会福利制度。从20世纪50年代末到70年代初,日本完善了全民医疗和全民年金等社会保障制度。自20世纪90年代起,日本开始应对出生率下降和人口老龄化问题,并对社会保障制度进行改革,以确保其可持续性。至此,日本建成了包括医疗、年金、长期护理、育儿支持和公共援助在内的全面社会保障体系以保障民生。然而,在未来老龄化社会的背景下,出生率下降、人口减少以及地区差异的存在,都给政策带来了挑战,包括财政的可持续性、基于社区的医疗和社会服务供给的发展以及应对相对贫困等政策。当前人口减少不仅在日本,在中国和韩国也已成为普遍现象。对中日韩的研究人员来说,探讨人口减少背景下的社会保障等政策选择具有重要意义。

Japan has successfully established a comprehensive social security system,achieving the goal of universal health insurance and pensions.The system's evolution spans a substantial history,adapting to the challenges of each era.Post-World War II,policy measures addressed the development of public assistance and social welfare systems for children and persons with disabilities.Subsequently,from the late 1950s to the early 1970s,universal health coverage and pensions became integral components of Japan's social security system.Responding to the challenges posed by a declining birthrate and an ageing population since the 1990s,Japan has reformed the system to ensure its long-term sustainability.Consequently,the country now has a comprehensive social security system covering health care,pensions,long-term care,childcare support,and public assistance,offering holistic protection to individuals.However,against the backdrop of an ageing society,declining birthrates,and regional disparities,policy challenges persist.These challenges encompass ensuring the sustainability offinancial and service resources,fostering community-based medical and social service provisions,and implementing effective anti-relative poverty policies.The 2020s have witnessed population decline as a common phenomenon not only in Japan but also in China and South Korea.The discussion on policy options for social security in the context of population decline also deserves the attention of researchers in China,Japan and South Korea.