In the August issue of Social Science Japan, there was a statement of Prof. John
Campbell concerning the japanese discussion on introducing a care-insurance
system. Unlike Prof. Campbell remarks Japan is not at the forefront with this
idea, since Germany introduced a public, compulsory care insurance system this
year. Since January 1% of bruttto income (max. DM 58,-) is deducted from the pay
check together with taxes and other social insurance. Employer and employees
each share half of this new burden. But to compensate the firms, one public
(church) holiday was abolished. Since April bedridden or long-term sick people
are eligible to receive money from the insurance to pay for home care services.
As far as I know, the japanese proposals are very similar to the german system.
So again, Japan would not be innovative and at the forefront with social policy.
Please let me know, if I am wrong. Regards,
Friederike Bosse,
Institute of Asian Affairs, Hamburg Germany

[Moderator's Note: The above refers to the page 22 summary of Professor
Campbell's May 16 talk on "Is There a Japanese-Style Welfare State?" at the
Institute of Social Science. Prof. Campbell did note that Germany was
implementing a long-term care system and that various specifics of Japan's
version remained unsettled.]