What problems will we run into as our population ages? One likely one: friction between the young and the old. This article describes this happening in Japan. Japans young are unhappy they have to pay for pensions and medical care for the old, at the expense of their own financial security. Meanwhile, the old bristle that the young are uncaring and ungrateful. Japan is renowned for its social cohesion and community mindedness. Yet the article tells of the elderly hogging seats on trains and cutting in line at supermarkets. It is a cautionary tale for Singapore. Like Japan, we are a rapidly ageing society. Last year 1 in 9 Singaporeans were 65 or older. This year, it has already grown to 1 in 8. (In Japan it is 1 in 4.) We must take care of each other and not let this happen here. - LHL
Posted on: Mon, 29 Dec 2014 02:04:14 +0000