Welfare State Systems in Japan and China : Past Changes and Future Challenges

This paper analyses past developments and future challenges of welfare state systems in Japan and China, comparing the two countries history in constructing and adapting their welfare state systems. The paper uses the concept of welfare state systems to better reflect particularistic features of welfare states around the world, be they large and comprehensive, or small and limited in scope. Whereas both countries will suffer severely from ageing of society, China in addition also has to cope with fast changing economic transition and its accompanying social changes, particularly domestic migration and modernization of society