The social security system is an essential “public asset” (or social joint venture) for life design over our lifetime, as we come into the world, grow up, work and grow old. In order to make Japan a sustainable society in the 21st century, it is essential for us to position social security as a pillar that supports the whole of our economy and society and to rebuild the social security system based on the ethos of “social solidarity.”
    However, as seen in the pension reforms of 2000 and the health insurance reforms of 2002, recent overhauls of social security schemes have focused on financial issues within the frameworks of individual schemes, and have repeatedly promoted the “merciless” cutting of benefits and increases in social insurance premiums and service charges borne by the recipients of services. These practices have led to a weakening of the functions of social security, contributed to growing distrust and lack of secure feelings toward social security among citizens, and thus led to a “crisis of social security.”
    In order to overcome this “crisis,” reforms must be carried out based on the following three axes:

1. (1) A “reform-minded approach” that increases the allocation of resources to welfare and social security programs in response to social needs:
2. (2) A break from the mind-set that regards social security as a “burden”; and
3. (3) A viewpoint favoring an “active role,” under which social security supports economic vitality and in turn the economic vitality supports social security.

    From this perspective, the “Vision for Social Security in the 21st Century” is, in the first place, a manifestation of the image of society pursued by RENGO (a welfare society centered on labor), and of the position and role of social security in such a society. Second, the Vision clearly lays out the basic philosophy which can form a basis for a social security capable of acting as a safety net for our living. Specifically, it draws a comprehensive picture of social security that brings 2025 into view, and an ideal vision of medical care, nursing care, welfare and pension schemes at that time. In other words, the Vision portrays a “Comprehensive Strategy for a Welfare Society based on Security, Equality and Solidarity” toward realizing a “Welfare Society Centered on Labor”.
    Over the next five years, RENGO will conduct a thorough review of the line of thought presented in the Vision and the details of individual social security schemes, in the light of future developments in the economic and social situation.