This is an essential requirement for continuing to maintain a stable society. However the majority of elderly persons remain healthy, and leaving the healthy elderly to spend their time idly while the younger generations are burdened with the expense is a situation that will eventually impoverish the entire nation of Japan. Allowing the elderly to work together with the younger generations and make a strong contribution to society is one possible way to maintain the health and vitality of our nation.
Hereafter, the elderly should not spend their lives to no purpose. According to our investigation, 85% of the elderly from age 65 to under 75 remain healthy. We believe that they should be allowed to spend these 10 years from 65 to 75 in healthy work. (Excerpted from the Introduction to this report by Shigeru Ito.)