“无退休社会”突袭日本，会是中国未来的样本吗？

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses Japan's "no retirement society" phenomenon, highlighting the implications of an aging population and the challenges it poses for both Japan and China as they face similar demographic shifts [1][2]. Group 1: Japan's "No Retirement Society" - Japan's aging population has led to a significant increase in the workforce participation of older individuals, with 29.1% of the population aged 65 and above, and 15% aged 75 and above [2][3]. - The economic pressure on the pension system is evident, with a public pension replacement rate of only 40%, leading many elderly individuals to continue working to fill financial gaps [3][5]. - Cultural factors, such as the traditional view of retirement as "social death," contribute to the reluctance of older individuals to leave the workforce [3][4]. - Government policies have progressively raised the retirement age, with mandates for companies to employ workers until the age of 70 [3][4]. Group 2: Challenges of the "No Retirement Society" - The reliance on older workers raises health concerns, as many are not physically capable of performing demanding jobs, leading to increased health risks [5][6]. - Many older workers are forced into low-paying, unstable jobs, resulting in a cycle of poverty where they must continue working despite financial insecurity [5][6]. - The presence of older workers in the job market creates tension with younger generations, who feel their opportunities are being diminished [6][7]. - The over-reliance on older labor can stifle innovation and dynamism in the workforce, as older workers may be less inclined to adopt new technologies [7][8]. Group 3: Implications for China - China is facing a similar aging crisis, with projections indicating that the population aged 60 and above will exceed 400 million by 2035, and a pension replacement rate of less than 50% [9][10]. - Unlike Japan, China's economic context and family structures may provide different pathways to address aging, including leveraging technology and maintaining traditional family support systems [9][10]. - The article emphasizes the need for China to proactively design solutions that respect individual choices and enhance the dignity of older workers, rather than merely extending working years [13][14].