GraSPP
Japanese Social Security Administration
Faculty
ONO, Taichi
Credit / Semester / Schedule / Language
2 Credits / Winter / Wednesday Period: 3 / English
Objectives/Overview
This class is intended to provide the international students understanding about Japanese social security administration.
There are wide range of policies that are categorized as "Social Security". They are quite complicated, and affect significantly to the daily lives of people of different age, gender or socio-economic status. It makes the policy makers harder that any individual has his/her own experience and of their family member therefore has something to "say" despite that the money and human resources are not infinite; people's expectations are high and dissatisfactions are, unfortunately, also. Because of that nature, however, it is quite interesting and rewarding for politicians and bureaucrats that they devote their intellect and passion for the public to this policy basket filled with "hot potatoes".
As is well known, because of the global economic development, many countries today have come to enjoy longevity and better health status of their people. At the same time, due to rapid changes in their society such as the urbanization, growth of middle-income class and their demand for better state of life in addition to aging and declining birthrate, establishment/reform of its social security system in universal as well as sustainable manner now has come to the top political priority in many countries. Japan, which is well known for its longevity and better health status, has half-century experience of universal health care and public pension coverage, and universal coverage of long-term care for the elderly for a decade. Their history and achievements are filled with various lessons, and the lecturer wishes to provide them to the future international leaders who gather at GrasPP.
Areas that are of subject are; social policy in general, health care (supply and finance), long-term (geriatric) care, public pension, social welfare policy (for poor or challenged) and policies toward declining birthrate. Outline of each system and its societal, political and economic backgrounds are introduced. Also, the achievements as well as the current problems are discussed from the viewpoint of the practitioner.
Guest speakers are invited from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of the Japanese government for some classes. A site visit to health care facility is planned.
Keywords
English, social security, health care , long-term care,
Schedule
1. Introduction and overview of the Japanese Social Policy
2. Demography and social changes in Japan
3. History of the Japanese Social Security
4. Policies for declining birthrate and child rearing
5. Health Care (1) (supply)
6. Health Care (2) (Finance (1) (Insurance System))
7. Health Care (3) (Finance (2) (Reimbursement))
8. Policies for the poor (public assistance)
9. Policies for the challenged people
10. Long-term Care (1) (History and rationale)
11. Long-term Care (2) (Challenges)
12. Pension (1) (Public system)
13. Pension (2) (International comparison)
Teaching Methods
Lecture and discussion
Grading
TBA
Required Text
Distributed in the class
Notes on Taking the Course
Students are encouraged to bring in the comparative view between the Japanese system and the system in his/her home country. International students from other departments are welcomed to take. Japanese students are allowed to register and earn credits only when he/she has not taken "Public Management II" offered by the lecturer. (Class attendance as an observer is allowed upon the consent of the lecturer for those who have taken "Public Management II".