Japan Mulls Politically Dangerous Squeeze on Senior Benefits

Sipping beer and listening to a guitarist at an event for retirees in western Tokyo, Sadao Sekine said he backs government plans to cut Japan’s ballooning debt -- as long as he can keep his benefits.

“It’s hard. I’ve had two serious illnesses,” the 75-year-old former trading company employee said, pointing to his heart and his abdomen. “The Japanese medical insurance system is very advanced, and I’m grateful for that.”