[Research Trends]
[New Research Projects]
Research on the Strengthening of Individual Ownership in the Social Security System [I]
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Research Institute: NIRA
Research Period: September 2005 - September 2006
Research Area: Maintenance/Enhancement of the "Comprehensive Capacity" of Japan and the Japanese People
Amid the rapid aging of the population resulting from the decline in the birthrate, it is urgent to establish a sustainable social security system. For the social security system to be "sustainable," it must not fall into financial ruin and must be able to meet people's present and future needs. It is also desirable for people to fully understand and support their burdens (insurance expense and tax), which sustain the system.
As a factor that leads to "individual understanding," this research project focuses upon the perspective that the social security system is closely linked to peace of mind and stability in peoples' lives, or the perspective of "individual ownership" (sense of ownership, self-determination and personal responsibility) towards the social security system. Then, the project will explore the backgrounds and effects of prior examples and the possibilities regarding how those examples can be introduced into the Japanese social security system. It will also examine measures to strengthen individual ownership and propose a basic design for the social security system that is suitable for the twenty-first century.
The Form of a Desirable Decentralized Self-governed Nation
-- Basic Principles of National Land and Ideal Regional Development Strategies Looking Towards 2030 --
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Research Institute: NIRA
Research Period: September 2005 - September 2006
Research Area: Regional Revitalization/Recreation and Civil Society
Problems facing Japan such as population decrease, aging, and the hollowing of industry, have become increasingly serious in many regions, although the degree of seriousness varies geographically. Therefore, so that each region will become activated by utilizing its culture and natural environment, it is critical to reexamine the traditional centralized, uniform policy system and to "establish a decentralized self-governed nation" as a foundation for supporting regional development by the region's residents.
Therefore, this research project will utilize the accumulated results of NIRA's previous research projects and consider the "form of a desirable decentralized self-governed nation" based on recent regional policy trends. Specifically, through an examination and evaluation of Japan's post-war land policies and an examination of foreign regional policies (the European Union, particularly England), this project will propose basic policies and the ideal form of national land with an eye towards 2030 and the desirable regional development strategies (including systems) to achieve it.
The results of this research project are intended to be topics for discussion that bring into view the formation of national and regional development plans.
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