Aso apologizes for remarks about the costly medical bills of lazy old people

「たらたら飲んで、食べて、何もしない人（患者）の分の金（医療費）を何で私が払うんだ」

“Why do I have to pay the bill (medical expenses) for people (patients) who lazily drink and eat and do nothing?”

「６７歳、６８歳になって同窓会に行くと、よぼよぼしている、医者にやたらにかかっている者がいる」

“When one goes to a reunion at 67, 68 years of age, they’re all hobbling, some are constantly going to the doctor”

「こちらの方がはるかに医療費がかかってない。毎朝歩いたり何かしているからである。私の方が税金は払っている」

“My costs are much lower. It’s because I take walks every morning, and do other activities. But I’m the one paying more in taxes”

「努力して健康を保った人には何かしてくれるとか、インセンティブ（動機づけ）がないといけない。予防するとごそっと減る」

“There has to be some incentive for rewarding people who make the effort to maintain their health. Preventative measure will significantly decrease (the amount of ailments)”

I personally think it’s not as bad as the soundbite makes it sound.
Just Aso making ass comments as usual to get his point across.
He could have phrased it a lot better, fitting for a Prime Minister and delivered to step on less toes, but I don’t find this sentiment too outlandish.

I give him another 6 months tops.

I am a Japanese living in Tokyo. One day I was not feeling well, so I went to the neighborhood clinic. In the waiting room, there were so many elderly people waiting before me. They were talking amongst themselves, and it really looked like a social club. One woman said, “Where’s Mrs. xxxx today? I don’t see her.” Then another woman replied, “Oh, Mrs. xxx. She’s ill so she’s staying today.”

I thought people who are ill are the ones who come to the doctor and healthy ones stay home(or at least do not come to the doctor). It must be the other way around for quite a few elderly people. I first thought it was a joke, but that old lady seemed quite serious.