Old people will have to save on gifts
Centenarian Japanese will no longer be encouraged with silver sakazuki
The Japanese government will stop giving silver sake cups, called sakazuki, to the citizens of the country who celebrated their 100th anniversary. This is reported by the Kyodo news agency (Japan to downgrade gift to centenarians as population ages).
The authorities were forced to make such a decision due to the fact that the number of centenarians has increased too much. Last year, more than 29 thousand Japanese celebrated their 100th anniversary. According to the forecasts of the authorities, by 2018 their number will increase to 39 thousand.
Meanwhile, in 2014, the purchase of greeting cups cost the government approximately 260 million yen (145 million rubles) and thus became a rather large burden on the country's budget, the agency notes.
As an alternative to traditional silver cups, the authorities suggest using cheaper material or simply confine themselves to congratulatory letters.
The tradition of giving silver sakazuki to Japanese people who turn 100 years old has existed since 1936. Sakazuki are flat saucer-shaped cups. Gifts are given to centenarians every year on September 15, the Japanese holiday of the Day of Veneration of Elders.
The average life expectancy in Japan in 2014 was 86 years for women and 80 years for men.
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23.08.2015