Shinzo Abe Survives No-Trust Vote Over Pension Report Scandal

Tokyo: Opposition lawmakers in Japan unsuccessfully tabled a motion of no-confidence against Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday after accusing him of burying a controversial government report that questioned the future sustainability of public pensions. The opposition bloc tabled the motion in Japan’s National Diet just before the current parliamentary term was due to come to a close. Given the ample majority enjoyed by Abe’s government in both of Japan’s parliamentary chambers, the no-confidence vote was never expected to pass.

Opposition parties moved against the head of government following a controversial government report earlier this month that underscored the unsustainability of the public pensions system and seemed to encourage private savings as a way to supplement payments, Efe news reported. The report, prepared by the Financial Services Agency, said that a couple that retires at the age of 65 in the coming years would need personal savings of 20 million yen (around $186,000) to supplement their pensions if they are to look after themselves till the age of 95. (IANS)

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