Japanese city ends 88th birthday cash gift due to increased life expectancy.
Okazaki City has ended its congratulatory money tradition for seniors to save funds, causing mixed reactions among residents.
In Japan, Respect for the Aged Day is a cherished holiday to honor senior citizens, but for Okazaki City, it means saying goodbye to a long-held tradition. This year, with a record-breaking number of centenarians, local officials announced they’ve abolished the “congratulatory money” given to those turning 88. Instead of the usual 10,000 yen (about $67), it seems residents will miss out on some much-needed cash during a time when life expectancy is climbing.
While the city hopes to save about 20 million yen annually for better health initiatives, reactions are mixed. One 82-year-old lamented, “I’m living on a pension, so 10,000 yen is a lot.” An 87-year-old added, “We really are the generation that’s had bad luck.” But there’s a silver lining—those hitting the 99-year mark will still receive gifts. So for now, let’s keep our 80-somethings healthy and maybe we can help them spend that cash down the line!
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