Finance Minister Taro Aso said Monday it¡¯s unfair that his taxes go toward financing the health costs of lazy people.
¡°I¡¯m 73, going on 74, and I¡¯ve never had a long stay in hospital,¡± Aso said to an Upper House committee, responding to a question about the social welfare system.
¡°It¡¯s not fair that the tax I pay covers all the medical expenses of slouches,¡± he said, adding that he recognizes some people are born with poor health.
Aso¡¯s comments come as the government seeks to rein in welfare costs to tame the world¡¯s largest debt burden as part of Prime Minster Shinzo Abe¡¯s efforts to revive the economy.
Aso has triggered controversy with public remarks in the past. Last August, he backpedaled when pressed on remarks about the Nazi regime offering a model for constitutional reform, saying he was misunderstood.
That January, he appeared to question the use of medical resources to prolong the lives of the elderly.
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