[E14n]

The pension scheme is a bad example as it was put in place in 1961[1] long before Japan experienced it current population decline. Furthermore recent government actions have been towards weakening the yen which will adversely effect the elderly and pensioners (who are on fixed incomes).

Unlike the US, there does seem to be a recognition that people are part of the economy of the country and that there are mutual shared interests in making things work. The issue seems to be more in the speed and adeptness at which changes are made.

That being said, the biggest obstacle to start-ups in Japan is the Japanese aversion to risk. The most talented people would rather work for peanuts in large Corporations or in secure Government jobs rather then risk failure in a start-up.

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Pension