- The fundamental framework of measures for the aging society in Japan is based on the Basic Law on Measures for the Aging Society (Law No.129, 1995).

- At the Aging Society Policy Council, crucial issues related to measures for aging society, etc. have been discussed. The Prime Minister is in charge of the chairman position, and cabinet members are appointed to the committee.

- The government has an obligation to draw up the General Principles Concerning Measures for the Aging Society under the Basic Law on Measures for the Aging Society, which is the basic and comprehensive guideline of the national policies for aging society.

- Since five years have passed since the first General Principles Concerning Measures for the Aging Society was formulated in July 1996, the economic and social situation has changed. Consequently, the New General Principles Concerning Measures for the Aging Society was determined on December 28, 2001 by the Cabinet, based on the draft made by the Aging Society Policy Council.

- In order to comprehensively promote the measures based on the New General Principles Concerning Measures for the Aging Society, policy researches such as completing guidelines or establishing policy systems regarding "transverse challenges" in the General Principles have been further developed.

(1) Budget Related to Measures for Aging Society

- Measures for aging society have been steadily developed over a wide range of areas such as working and income, health and welfare, learning and social participation, living environment, and the promotion of survey and research, etc. In FY2004, a relevant budget in the government general account amounts to 12.3901 trillion yen, including 5.9943 trillion yen for working and income, 6.3098 trillion yen for health and welfare, 27.7 billion yen for learning and social participation, 13 billion yen for living environment, 45.3 billion yen for promotion of survey and research, etc. (Table 2-1-1)

Table 2-1-1. Budget Related to Measures for Aging Society (General Account)

(Unit: 100 million yen)

	Working & income	Health & welfare	Study & social participation	Living environment	Promotion of survey and research	Total
1996	43,269	39,516	766	449	340	84,340
1997	43,176	41,698	686	452	385	86,396
1998	44,078	45,476	593	404	380	90,932
1999	52,095	49,694	583	399	445	103,215
2000	53,386	52,297	516	418	851	107,467
2001	54,884	55,862	356	329	968	112,398
2002	56,387	59,264	358	292	1,187	117,488
2003	57,705	61,298	346	267	1,114	120,730
2004	59,943	63,098	277	130	453	123,901

Source:	Cabinet Office
Note:	1. The budget related to measures for aging society includes the "special account," etc., other than the general account shown in this table. 2. The budget amount in this table is the total amount only shown as a budget related to aging society policies.