EDITORIAL: 'Strong' social security

Prime Minister Naoto Kan has proposed a new idea, saying enhancing social security will not only make the social safety net more reliable, but it will also lead to a stronger economy and sounder fiscal health.

Some in the political and business communities have said that social security is a burden that hinders economic growth.

For that reason, Kan's idea, which could open up new prospects for social security, is worthy of attention.

The question is how to enhance social security. Setting policy priorities is crucial because across-the-board benefit increases should not be an option.

Kan has called for aggressive government spending in medical services, nursing care and other areas where demand will grow as society ages.

He reasons that government spending would create new jobs because these services require a larger work force.

Kan's Democratic Party of Japan previously said that if the consumption tax rate is raised, the additional revenue would be used mainly to finance the public pension system.

Now, the DPJ appears to be putting higher priority on medical and nursing-care services as a way to create jobs through public spending.

This is a reasonable policy shift aimed at responding to strong calls from the public.

An additional factor that should be taken into consideration is the importance of supporting young generations.

The foundation for social security will only become shakier if the nation's population keeps contracting.

It is impossible to maintain social security if young people can only find jobs that do not provide stable incomes.

It is imperative to expand employment support and job training programs for the younger generations.

In addition, efforts should be made to allow mothers to continue working by leaving their young children to child-care services. Women will find it easier to work if they are able to return to career-track positions after taking leave for childbirth and child rearing.

A more effective use of women's abilities would also help revitalize society and stoke economic growth.

If enhanced social security strengthens the economy, then tax revenues will increase. Creating such a virtuous cycle of economic growth and fiscal health should be the goal.

For that purpose, the government needs to present a grand vision for social security that goes beyond the traditional framework of pension, medical services and nursing care and encompasses all aspects of life, including employment and education.

Financing a broader social security system requires an increase in the public's burden.

The government has raised the wages of nursing-care workers by using taxpayer money as an emergency measure. But the wage hikes will eventually lead to higher premiums.

In fact, the national average of monthly premiums for the nursing-care insurance program paid by the elderly is certain to surpass 5,000 yen ($57) in the next revision.

To make the program sustainable and stable, it is necessary to review the balance between taxes and premiums as revenue sources for the system.

How much money is required to maintain the social security system, and how much should be spent on expanding and upgrading services? How should the funds be raised?

Nonpartisan debate on the broad picture of social security and its future would be the first step toward stronger social security.

--The Asahi Shimbun, July 9