The long-term care insurance system was introduced in 2000. In the beginning, the amount of benefits was 3.6 trillion yen and the average premium was 2,911 yen. At present, the amount of benefits is 9.4 trillion yen and the average premium is 4,972 yen. According to the estimate of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the amount of benefits will be 21 trillion yen and the average premium will be about 8,200 yen ten years from now. It is necessary to address the continuous increase in nursing care costs not by continuing to increase premiums but by reforming the system with a view to controlling the increasing costs.