11/30 (Sat) 21:45 Asahi Shimbun Digital On November 30th, a meeting was held in the city to exchange opinions between Mayor Akimoto Katsuhiro and citizens regarding the review of the Sapporo City Senior Citizen Pass (senior citizen discount pass) system, which allows citizens aged 70 and over to use the subway, tram, and buses at a discount. This fall, the city decided to maintain the system for the time being, citing its financial situation and changes in population structure, but proposed revisions that would raise the eligibility age to 75 from fiscal 2026 and increase the self-pay portion of the system. The rally was attended by 169 people, with over 85% of them being over 60 years old at the time of application. “Are you in favor?” When one of the speakers asked a question, roughly three people raised their hands. Many of those in attendance were elderly people who were thought to be opposed to the system, and they repeatedly expressed opinions such as, “It will have a major impact on daily life and volunteer activities,” and “We want the current system to be maintained.” Mayor Akimoto, keeping in mind the increasing burden on the working generation, asked for understanding for the review, saying, “We would like to ask the elderly to also bear a certain share of the burden.” The overwhelming majority of the attendees were against the plan, but the city explained that after analyzing the opinions of 486 people collected in advance using an AI-based system, some of the opinions included “a review is necessary” and “the current system is unfair.” However, there were critical voices from the audience, such as “Don’t create a divide between generations.” At the application stage, only 0.8% of people in their 20s expressed a desire to participate in the rally. A 28-year-old man said he attended the event because he wanted people to know about the burden young people feel and the current situation, and expressed his support for the event, but was heckled. After the event ended, he said, “The atmosphere in the room was that of an away game.” Attorney Tetsuya Okawa, who participated as a commentator, pointed out that “when reforming a system that involves changes in rights, it is necessary to provide careful explanations to those who will be disadvantaged and to take measures to mitigate the sudden changes.” “I would like to ask (the city) to be flexible in its response and not have a predetermined conclusion,” he said. (Hara Chieko) The Asahi Shimbun Company.
>>1 There’s no point in asking for opinions, since only people who disagree are here. Conduct a survey of the young people who will be shouldering the burden and then decide.
This is sure to piss off the young generation. They’re already living a poor life while having to pay high pensions, so why should they have to pay for bus fares for their pension-receiving grandparents?
It’s these old fools that are destroying Japan. I can understand being against it, but I wish these damn old fools who even heckle would leave this world immediately.
If we’re looking at driver’s license surrenders as a reference, the Senior Citizen Pass would be for people aged 80 and up, but for ordinary elderly people it’s a matter of life and death.
Hokkaido is a cold place for those with limited mobility. Outsiders don’t need public transportation, just bring your rental car. It’s not just a depopulated area, Yubari is already at this level. Sapporo is still blessed with the ability to pay.
>>24 It’s a misconception that just being old is enough to earn you respect. Proper elderly people are normally respected. It’s just wrong to give that name to a government service in the first place.
On the 29th, Sapporo City held an explanatory meeting at Asti 45 in Chuo Ward regarding proposed revisions to the Senior Citizen Pass system, which allows elderly people to travel on subways, buses, etc. at reduced rates. The city has proposed gradually lowering the upper limit on usage from the current 70,000 yen per year to 40,000 yen, citing the large financial burden, but there are voices of opposition from residents. The plan is to reduce the monthly fee for unlimited use of public transport from around 5,800 yen to around 3,300 yen.
>>32 These are streetcars that remain in rural areas. I did some research and it seems that Sapporo, Hakodate, Kumamoto and Kagoshima are the only places that call them shiden. They’re not called shiden, but streetcars remain in various places, and Tokyo has the Toden, and the convenience of streetcars as urban transportation is being reconsidered, so the fact that the lines remain would be extremely beneficial for autonomous driving.
In Osaka city, Toru Hashimoto called for a major review of the Senior Citizen Pass, which was opposed by the Communist and Constitutional Liberal Democratic Party, but the proposal passed due to strong public opinion.
I think there should be a discount for seniors. 60% off for those who have returned their license or don’t have one. 30% off for those who have a license. That’s about it.
In America, when news like this is reported, donations start pouring in immediately and wealthy elderly people chip in with money, but in Japan, elderly people don’t help each other. It’s up to the elderly with money to help out.
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