Japan Drops Plan to Extend Pension Contributions by 5 Years

TOKYO, Jul 04 (News On Japan) - Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has released the results of its "Fiscal Verification," a process conducted every five years to estimate the future levels of public pension benefits. The ministry has decided to withdraw its proposal to extend the national pension contribution period by five years in the upcoming pension system reform.

In this fiscal verification, a simulation was conducted to evaluate the impact of extending the national pension contribution period by five years, changing it to 45 years until the age of 65.

However, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has announced that it will not proceed with this change in the next pension system reform, citing an improved financial outlook compared to the previous verification five years ago.

The proposal to extend the national pension contribution period by five years had faced opposition, as it would increase the basic pension benefit amount but also raise the contribution burden by approximately 1 million yen over the additional five years.

Source: ANN

38-Year-Old Murder Case Reopens

The Nagoya High Court's Kanazawa branch has granted a retrial in a case from 38 years ago, where a man convicted of murdering a junior high school student in Fukui City has maintained his innocence.

Visitors Flock To Aomori Pond For 'Miraculous Moment'

Aomori's Tsutanuma Pond has recently become a hotspot for tourists seeking to witness a rare natural phenomenon: the reflection of fiery red autumn foliage on the pond's surface during sunrise.

Poisonous Mushrooms Spread: Chiba Park Hosts Deadly Varieties

This year, Japan has seen an unusually large harvest of mushrooms as autumn sets in. However, with this bountiful season comes a dangerous reality -- poisonous mushrooms are also flourishing, leading to several food poisoning incidents across the country.

Seized Ferrari Hits Auction with Minimum Bid of 71.3 Million Yen

The Tokyo National Tax Agency has listed a Ferrari, seized from a tax delinquent, in a public auction, setting the minimum bid at a record high of over 70 million yen ($467,000).

Teen Unconscious After Falling From Mikoshi in Okayama

Two people fell from a mikoshi during an autumn festival in Okayama Prefecture's Asakuchi City on Sunday, leaving a teen male in a critical condition.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Politics NEWS

Molotov Cocktail Thrown at LDP Headquarters

A man threw a Molotov cocktail at the headquarters of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and crashed his car into the fence of the Prime Minister’s residence. It has been revealed that several items, including gasoline containers and glass bottles, were seized from the suspect's home.

Japan's Rapid Response Forces Train with U.S. in Hawaii to Counter China's Influence

The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's (JGSDF) 6th Rapid Deployment Regiment, 5th Brigade, trained alongside the U.S. Army's 2nd and 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, against U.S. Army Soldiers assigned as Opposing Forces (OPFOR) during the exercise JPMRC (Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center) 25-01 in Hawaii, October 2024. (USA Military Channel)

Architects of the U.S.-Japan Alliance: Past, Present, and Future

Please join the CSIS Japan Chair in collaboration with the Japan Foundation for a very special symposium entitled, "Architects of the U.S.-Japan Alliance: Past, Present, and Future." (Center for Strategic & International Studies)

Campaigning kicks off in Japan's Lower House election

Campaigning in Japan's Lower House election has officially kicked off. Registration is now closed, with over 1,000 candidates in the running. (NHK)

Leaders of Japan, China agree to continue communications at all levels

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and Chinese Premier Li Qiang have affirmed that their countries will continue to communicate at every level. Ishiba has also conveyed deep concerns about the situation in the East China Sea and increased activity by the Chinese military near Japan. (NHK)