Photo/Illutration Women in Naha choose food items distributed by a group operating a food bank. (Kazuki Uechi)

NAHA—The percentage of senior citizens in Okinawa Prefecture not receiving pensions is about double the national average, a result of the southernmost prefecture long falling under U.S. rule after World War II.

Many of those 65 and older in Okinawa are facing increasingly dire circumstances as the prefecture marks the 52nd anniversary of its return to Japanese sovereignty on May 15. 

Okinawa had no pension system under U.S. rule and it was only from around 1970 that one was established. The pension program covering all other Japanese began in 1961.

But even after Okinawa returned to Japanese sovereignty in 1972 many Okinawa residents were unaware of the pension program.

Many also failed to pay the full pension premium, due in part to the low wages in Okinawa, which is highly dependent on the service sector, such as tourism and restaurants.

While close to 220,000 Okinawa residents are now enrolled in the national pension program that covers those not in company pension programs, about 68 percent do not pay the standard premiums.

That means any benefits they receive in the future will be lower.

In 2022, 6.2 percent of those 65 and older in Okinawa were not receiving pensions.

In addition, the average monthly amount received through the national pension program comes to 51,864 yen ($332), the lowest level in Japan.

The lack of a manufacturing sector in Okinawa affects residents of all ages. The per capita income in Okinawa in 2020 was 2.16 million yen, the lowest figure in Japan and about 1 million yen less than the national average.

A major reason for the low figures is the large percentage of those working irregular jobs as well as the large number of women holding down part-time jobs, compared to national trends.

Related News