Only 15% of low-income households receive livelihood protection benefits

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Only 15% of low-income households receive livelihood protection benefits

The number of households with an annual income lower than the minimum requirement to receive livelihood protection allowance reached 7 million, but only 15.3% received livelihood protection benefits, the welfare ministry announced on April 9.

The government made the survey result public for the first time since 1965.

In Japan, it is difficult to meet the requirements to receive livelihood protection benefits. Even if one earns less than the minimum amount of wages set under the livelihood protection standards, if he/she has savings, he/she cannot apply for livelihood assistance.

Secretary General of All Japan Federation of Organizations for the Protection of Life and Health Tsuji Seiji stated, “In Britain, 80% of those who need livelihood assistance receive welfare benefits. It is an urgent task for the government to end its policy of discouraging people from applying for welfare assistance and take measures to address the issue of increasing poverty.”

- Akahata, April 10, 2010