The health and welfare ministry plans to end some services under the nursing care insurance system for people whose conditions are not so severe, and have municipalities take over those services from fiscal 2015.

Since the cost of the insurance system is swelling as the nation's population grays, it may be necessary to prioritize services. But the government should take utmost care so that services for people who truly need them will not be terminated. At the same time, municipalities should make various efforts to improve the lives of elderly people once they take over nursing care services.

Currently the total cost of the nursing care insurance system is about ¥9.4 trillion annually. But it is expected to increase to about ¥21 trillion in fiscal 2025 when every postwar baby boomer is at least 75 years old. If the trend continues, the average monthly premium paid by people aged 65 or older will rise from about ¥5,000 to about ¥8,200.