近日，日本首相高市早苗就國內退休金制度發表公開評論，引發社會廣泛關注。高市在發言中指出，日本國民在過去四十年間從未拖欠過養老金，且平均每月繳納額達到5.8萬日元，體現長期以來民眾對社會保障制度的信任與支持。然而，她強調，部分從未繳納過養老金的外國人卻能領取超過14萬日元的福利，這種情況在她看來是一種制度上的不公平。

高市早苗在公開場合表示，這種不平等現象“必須改變”，並呼籲對目前的社會保障制度進行改革，以確保長期繳納養老金的國民權益不被削弱。她的言論立刻引發社會討論，一方面有民眾支持她強調國民繳納義務與保障公平性的立場，認為外國人未繳費卻享受高額福利確實有失公平；另一方面，也有聲音指出，高市的表述容易引起對外國人的負面情緒，應兼顧多元社會與人道主義考量。

專家指出，日本的養老金制度本身存在複雜性，包括國民年金、厚生年金等多層次保障機制，而針對外國人福利領取的規定也依據居住年限、就業狀況等條件有所不同。高市的發言反映政府對國民對社會保障制度公平性的敏感關注，也提示社會在保障長期繳納者利益的同時，如何平衡外國居民權益，是未來政策討論的重要議題。

此事件在媒體和網絡上引起熱議，不僅涉及養老金制度的公平性，也折射出日本在應對外國居民福利與國民權益之間的制度挑戰與社會矛盾，未來可能促使相關政策進一步檢討與修訂。

Recently, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made public remarks regarding the country’s pension system, sparking widespread attention and debate. In her statement, Takaichi emphasized that Japanese citizens have never defaulted on pension contributions over the past 40 years, with the average monthly payment reaching 58,000 yen. She highlighted this as a demonstration of the public’s longstanding trust and support for the social security system. However, she criticized the fact that some foreign residents, who have never contributed to the pension system, are able to receive benefits exceeding 140,000 yen, which she described as a systemic injustice.

Takaichi stated that this perceived inequality “must be changed” and called for reforms to ensure that the rights of citizens who have consistently paid into the pension system are protected. Her remarks immediately sparked social discussion. On one hand, some citizens supported her stance, arguing that it is unfair for non-contributors to receive high benefits. On the other hand, critics warned that her comments could foster negative sentiment toward foreign residents and stressed the importance of balancing fairness with Japan’s diverse society and humanitarian considerations.

Experts have noted that Japan’s pension system is complex, encompassing multiple layers such as the National Pension and Employees’ Pension schemes, and that the eligibility of foreign residents for benefits depends on factors like length of residence and employment history. Takaichi’s statements reflect the government’s sensitivity to public concerns over fairness in social security while highlighting the ongoing challenge of balancing the interests of Japanese citizens with those of foreign residents.

The remarks have generated significant debate in the media and online, raising questions not only about the fairness of the pension system but also about how Japan addresses the broader policy and social tensions between protecting citizens’ rights and accommodating foreign residents. The issue may prompt future policy reviews and reforms to address these concerns comprehensively.