社會保障具有世代間扶養的實質意義，其負擔與給付的不公平恐怕會引起世代間的對立。尤其是年金制度，事實上，一般民眾對該制度的保險費負擔與年金給付的公平性深感質疑，年老世代與年輕世代對社會保障負擔及給付的摩擦隱隱存在。 醫療保健常亦是如此，各醫療保險體系已窮於負荷老人醫療費5停於其他年齡層的龐大支出，長此以往，社會保障制度勢必瓦解。 20世紀結束前，提倡「社會保障的給平抽全世代負擔」的聲浪節節升高，往21世紀新頁的今天，日本的社會保障改革方興未艾。 日本今天的老人已具有相當的經濟能力，為了使勒會保障制度能夠永續維持，讓年老世代在社會保險中多負擔一分被認為是合理恰當的考量。

The social security system in Japan has been unstable since the bubble economy collapsed in the 1990s. More and more aged people now receive pensions and medical care but littlie pay, making the deficit a burden on young people. Conflict between generations could happen if young people receive benefit less but pay more. Moreover, such a system is in danger of self-disruption. By the end of 20th century, it was advocated that social security should cover and be paid by all generations. This continues to be the idea affecting the reform of the system in Japan even today, at eh beginning of 21st century. Aged people in Japan, according to their economic ability today, are definitely capable of and obligated to paying more in the social security system. If they did so, the system would then be sustainable.