Misery of the aged

(Oita Godo Newspaper, April 28^th 2010, morning paper, Page 4)

Misery of the aged

On 27^th of April, the cabinet office of Japan announced the happiness level of Japanese citizens. Among, people who polled I am happy is at 61% for the people in thirties, on the other hand, 44% for people who are over seventies. Among man and women, women are 11 points above. Pension and healthcare system are the main concerns, on the other hand, employment and education of children is also shown to be important. The survey, the old government only concentrates on economical development, was one of the criticisms that Hatoyama cabinet plans to resolve.　The new administration aims too much differ from the old administration but the problems faced are still surfacing.

According to the survey, there are 4000 people surveyed from the age of 15 to the age of 80, and 2900 of the people replied.

[In great misery] was 0 points and [very happy] was 10 points, the citizens were to rate themselves from a scale of 0 to 10, people who rated happy, which is 7 points and above, consist of 55% in ages 29 and below, 61% in ages 30 to 40, 55% in ages 40 to 50, 51% in ages 50 to 60, 44% in ages 70 and above. Man stand at 48% and women at 59%.

The average points were 6.47 points. The same survey was conducted in Europe in 2008, and comparing the results, having a good social insurance, demark average point is 8.4, England is 7.4, France is 7.1, on the other hand, Eastern Europe, Russia is only 6.0 points.

In order to make the happiness index go up, the government must be able to make a pension scheme that allows the citizen to feel secure.

Comments

I feel that Japan is a great country and I think why the happiness index is not as high as European countries like Denmark, England and France is the not only the uncertainty of the citizens but also the work ethics. Japanese salary man, from what I studied in the text books and through my experience in Japanese circles(club activities) is that the members often require to participate in "nomikai"s, it does not happen often in circles as the students are not working and not having any income, but it is more frequent in companies. Of course as a staff, you are obliged to join if your boss or colleagues ask you to go, if you don't attend, you will be seen as anti social and might hinder your promotion. This is not too bad if you are single and do not have a family, but becomes a problem if your wife does not show any sympathy to your plight. Work hours in European countries are much less then Japan, maybe that's why they are happier.

But as a student I can already feel the stress to perform in order to succeed, but I think it is just part and parcel of life.  

Tay Zhong Jie Edwin

Singapore

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, APM 4