Japanese Social Security

Here is an amusing factoid I found while perusing the web:

In Japan, by the time man reaches the age of 60, he is commemorated with a special ceremony. This ceremony features the man wearing a red kimono, which denotes that he no longer has the responsibilities of being a mature adult.

Entertaining as a form of social security, I would assume it has its flaws. Considering it entitles a man, essentially, to complete freedom one would hope he and his compatriots would not almost instantaneously revert back into children.

After a little research, I confirmed that the above fact is indeed a fact and describes the kanreki ritual. This signifies when a man (or woman now) has reached age 61 (because in Japan you are considered 1 when born), he enters a child-like state because he now has to be cared for again, as 61 used to be quite old.

No such luck here. Our generation won't be able to retire until age 80 at the rate we are going.