In response to the aging working population as we approach the 21stcentury, employment and working environments will be improved to achieve sustainable economic development and allow working people to show their abilities to the fullest up to the old age, thereby rejuvenating the aging society.
Considering the elderly's positive will to work, continuous employment up to the age of 65 will be promoted with the aim of allowing the elderly to work regularly until they are 65 if they wish, utilizing the knowledge, experience and abilities which they have acquired over many years. In addition, diverse opportunities will be provided so that the elderly can find jobs, depending on their will and abilities.
Various measures will be promoted, such as professional ability development, working hour reduction, further assurance of equal employment opportunities and labor conditions, and the propagation of child-care leave and care leave for the elderly, so that working people can exhibit their abilities throughout their professional careers while they are coping with their profession, family, and community life.
The income of the elderly after their retirement will be mainly secured by public pensions, which are based on social solidarity among the people, properly combining corporate pensions, retirement allowances, personal pensions and assets, which are based on company and personal efforts.
(1) Securing employment and working opportunities for the elderly
a. Promoting continuous employment until the age of 65
Employment and working environments for the elderly will be improved, centering on continuous employment until the age of 65.
With respect to the retirement system at the age of 60, which serves as the basis of continuous employment until the age of 65, companies that have not implemented this system will be urgently instructed to do so as soon as possible before April 1998 when the system becomes compulsory.
