Elderly Citizenship Experience under Different Pension Policies: A Comparative Analysis of China and Japan

Abstract: As global population structures change rapidly, the social rights and welfare of the elderly have increasingly become a focal point of societal concern. Pension policies not only address economic issues but also encompass welfare levels, social equity, citizenship rights, and identity. This paper explores the impact of different pension policies on the citizenship experience of the elderly by comparing the pension systems of China and Japan. The study is based on pension policy documents and related data from both countries and employs a comparative social policy analysis. The comparison is conducted conceptually, focusing on the scope, content, and depth of the pension policies in China and Japan, in order to reflect on the elderly's citizenship experience in both nations. The research highlights that Chinas pension policy features a single-tier structure with limited autonomy and marked urban-rural disparities, which restrict the citizenship experience of the elderly. In contrast, Japans retirement policy is characterized by mandatory participation, clear responsibilities, and a multi-tiered structure, providing broader coverage and more comprehensive social rights and a sense of identity for the elderly. However, this system also brings about noticeable class divisions.