July 16, 2026
The Takashi government, during this special session of the Diet, has forced through cuts in medical and long-term nursing care benefits at an unprecedented level in postwar social security history. This is due to the government’s stance of allocating enormous budgets toward turning Japan into a country capable of fighting offensive wars abroad through a massive arms buildup and the “militarization of the economy”.
The revised Health Insurance Act, enacted in late May, excludes some OTC-like medicine costs from insurance coverage.
The revised Long-Term Care Insurance Act, enacted in June, relaxes staffing standards for home-visit and facility-based nursing-care services in areas with declining populations. Furthermore, it allows municipalities with small populations to operate home-visit services as “businesses”, thereby removing them from insurance coverage and eliminating staffing regulations.
Regarding the high-cost medical expense reimbursement system, which is a “lifeline” for patients with cancer and other incurable diseases, patients’ monthly out-of-pocket costs will increase in two stages, beginning in August of this year. By next year, costs will rise by up to 38%.
Starting next fiscal year, the creation of care plans at residential care homes for the elderly will be a paid service. Previously, these plans were fully covered by the nursing-care insurance, so there were no out-of-pocket costs.
The government acknowledges the high national debt-to-GDP ratio, while claiming that social security-related expenses account for a large portion of the national budget as if social security were the solo cause of the country’s fiscal deterioration.
The Ministry of Finance has recommended that the government strengthen its economic, financial, and fiscal foundations in preparation for increased fiscal demands in the event of an emergency. In short, this means cutbacks in social security spending in the name of “strengthening the foundations” in preparation for war.
Article 25, Paragraph 1 of the Constitution states, “All people shall have the right to maintain the minimum standards of wholesome and cultured living,” while Paragraph 2 requires the state to “use its endeavors for the promotion and extension of social welfare and security, and of public health” in all spheres of life. The Preamble to the Constitution stipulates that “all peoples of the world have the right to live in peace”, and Article 9 of the Constitution declares that Japan shall never maintain war potential.
A government that actually acts in accordance with this Constitution is essential.
Past related article:
> FY2026 budget funding military buildup with tax hikes and cuts in social welfare enacted [April 8, 2026]
The revised Health Insurance Act, enacted in late May, excludes some OTC-like medicine costs from insurance coverage.
The revised Long-Term Care Insurance Act, enacted in June, relaxes staffing standards for home-visit and facility-based nursing-care services in areas with declining populations. Furthermore, it allows municipalities with small populations to operate home-visit services as “businesses”, thereby removing them from insurance coverage and eliminating staffing regulations.
Regarding the high-cost medical expense reimbursement system, which is a “lifeline” for patients with cancer and other incurable diseases, patients’ monthly out-of-pocket costs will increase in two stages, beginning in August of this year. By next year, costs will rise by up to 38%.
Starting next fiscal year, the creation of care plans at residential care homes for the elderly will be a paid service. Previously, these plans were fully covered by the nursing-care insurance, so there were no out-of-pocket costs.
The government acknowledges the high national debt-to-GDP ratio, while claiming that social security-related expenses account for a large portion of the national budget as if social security were the solo cause of the country’s fiscal deterioration.
The Ministry of Finance has recommended that the government strengthen its economic, financial, and fiscal foundations in preparation for increased fiscal demands in the event of an emergency. In short, this means cutbacks in social security spending in the name of “strengthening the foundations” in preparation for war.
Article 25, Paragraph 1 of the Constitution states, “All people shall have the right to maintain the minimum standards of wholesome and cultured living,” while Paragraph 2 requires the state to “use its endeavors for the promotion and extension of social welfare and security, and of public health” in all spheres of life. The Preamble to the Constitution stipulates that “all peoples of the world have the right to live in peace”, and Article 9 of the Constitution declares that Japan shall never maintain war potential.
A government that actually acts in accordance with this Constitution is essential.
Past related article:
> FY2026 budget funding military buildup with tax hikes and cuts in social welfare enacted [April 8, 2026]
