The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare published the 2025 White Paper on Health, Labour and Welfare "To Young People Who Will Lead the Next Generation - Understanding the Role of Social Security and Labor Policies in a Changing Society."
This white paper was created to convey the significance and role of social security and labor policies in an easily understandable manner to young people who will lead the next generation, amid rapid population decline and super-aging society. The full version is provided as a 22,635KB PDF, consisting of two parts: Part 1 "To Young People Who Will Lead the Next Generation" and Part 2 "Response to Current Policy Issues."
Part 1 details the basic roles of social security and labor policies, and future issues and directions in a population-declining, super-aging society. Based on consciousness survey results regarding young people's social security and labor policies, it emphasizes the significance of understanding these systems. It also includes analysis of the current status of social security education and labor law education, presenting the current situation of efforts in educational settings and future directions.
Part 2 introduces specific policies for responding to current policy issues across 10 chapters. It covers a wide range of initiatives including work style reform promotion, promoting participation of diverse workers, pension system establishment, medical-related innovation, sustainable medical care and nursing care realization, ensuring healthy and safe living, disability support, contribution to international society, and administrative system development.
The characteristic of this white paper is that it goes beyond conventional policy performance reports to explain the significance of social security and labor policies in an easily understandable manner from young people's perspectives. It utilizes consciousness survey results targeting high school students and provides policy recommendations based on the actual state of young people's interest and understanding levels. It also empirically demonstrates the importance of social security education and labor law education, presenting measures for raising young people's awareness through education.
The article shows that information dissemination and educational enhancement for younger generations who will support future society are positioned as important pillars of policy to respond to rapid social structural changes.