The Reiwa 7 (2025) White Paper on Health, Labour and Welfare is designed primarily for the next generation of young people (high school students, university students, and early-career professionals), explaining the role of social security and labor policies in a changing society.
Structure and Purpose of the White Paper
The white paper consists of two parts: Part 1 (Thematic Section) "To the Young People Who Will Become the Leaders of the Next Generation" and Part 2 (Annual Administrative Report) "Addressing Current Policy Challenges." Part 1 covers the fundamental role of social security and labor policies to future directions in a society facing population decline and super-aging, while Part 2 provides detailed policy responses across 10 chapters including work style reform, pension systems, healthcare and long-term care, and support for persons with disabilities.
Young People's Awareness of Social Security and Labor Policies
A survey of 3,000 high school students conducted in January 2025 revealed that interest in labor-related areas (working hours and wage regulations) was highest at around 80%, followed by healthcare and pensions at around 60%, and long-term care, welfare, and public health at just under 50%. Understanding levels remained at 50-60% across all areas, with a clear trend showing that experience with social security education and labor law education improves both interest and understanding levels.
Basic Framework of Social Security Systems
System Structure: The system is formed through an appropriate combination of "self-help," "mutual aid," and "public assistance," consisting of four main areas: ①social insurance (pension, healthcare, long-term care, employment, workers' compensation), ②social welfare, ③public assistance, and ④healthcare and public health. Social security serves three functions: life stabilization and improvement (responding to risks such as illness and unemployment), income redistribution (reducing disparities and supporting low-income earners), and economic stabilization (stabilizing consumption and investment), thereby supporting society as a whole.
Current State of Population Decline and Super-Aging Society
Japan's population peaked in 2008 and has been declining since, with projections showing a decrease from approximately 126.15 million in 2020 to 104.69 million by 2050. The number of births in 2024 was 686,061 (the lowest on record), with a total fertility rate of 1.15 (the lowest ever recorded). Late marriage trends are also advancing, with average ages at first marriage being 31.1 years for men and 29.7 years for women, and average ages at first childbirth being 31.0 years for mothers and 33.0 years for fathers. The never-married rate at age 50 has reached 28.25% for men and 17.81% for women, with non-regular employees having lower spouse rates than regular employees, indicating that employment and income instability creates barriers to marriage.
Direction of Comprehensive Social Security for All Generations
To respond to population decline and super-aging society, three pillars are being promoted: ①initiatives to reverse the trend of "declining birthrate and population decline," ②institutional development to prepare for "super-aging society," and ③strengthening mechanisms for "community mutual support." Efforts are underway to supplement the declining working-age population through improved employment rates among older adults and diversified working styles, while Japan maintains the longest average life expectancy and healthy life expectancy among the G7 nations.
Development of Labor Policies
Labor policies began as responses to labor issues accompanying industrialization and have evolved in response to economic and social changes. Currently, they aim to realize "a society where everyone can demonstrate their abilities with a sense of purpose" and "a society that enables diverse working styles and allows individuals to create their own future." The policies are structured around seven pillars: improving working environments, ensuring fair treatment, promoting diverse human resource utilization, supporting work-life balance, enhancing skills development, supporting job changes and re-employment, and expanding workers' insurance systems.
The paper concludes that by understanding social security and labor policies, young people will be able to consult and resolve life difficulties, develop the ability to make proactive choices about their future, and participate in creating a better society.