Aso offers apology for senior aid comment

TOKYO, Nov. 28 (UPI) -- Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso says he did not mean to insult any senior citizens when he questioned why taxes are used to help pay for their medical care.

The Japanese official said his comments last week during a Council on Fiscal and Economic Policy meeting regarding the use of taxpayer funds for senior healthcare were not meant in a derogatory way, The Japan Times said Friday.

"I am sorry if I offended people suffering from illness," Aso said Thursday.

Aso's comments from the Nov. 20 meeting were made available to the public on the prime minister's Official Residence Web site on Wednesday.

"Why do I have to pay for medical expenses for old people (who become sick) because they drink and eat all the time and do nothing," Aso said during last week's meeting.

The Times of London said at least one member of the Japanese parliament has spoken out against Aso for his words.

"He seems to be saying that old people should feel guilty for visiting the doctor," the unidentified official told the newspaper. "He must have said it without realizing how many people that would upset."