Japan Press Weekly

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2013 May 8 - 14 [WELFARE]

One in three welfare recipients eats 2 times a day or less

While the Abe Cabinet is trying to cut social security payments, welfare benefit recipients have to scrimp and save to make ends meet, a survey released on May 9 showed.

The Japan Federation of Democratic Medical Institutions (Min-iren) conducted the survey to find out if the recipients can maintain “the minimum standards of wholesome and cultured living” as Article 25 of the Constitution stipulates.

Min-iren surveyed 1,482 patients who are on welfare at its affiliated medical facilities around the country between February and March. Around 60% of the respondents are in their 50s to 70s, and 55% of male respondents and 70% of female respondents are living alone and are more than 60 years old.

Regarding the reason why they became welfare benefit recipients, 58% answered because of illness, and, of them, around 70% said they lost their jobs after coming down with the illness.

Almost all (93%) of the respondents said that they are skimping on living expenses; one in three respondents do not eat three meals a day, 47% bathe only two times a week or less, and 32% spend no money on culture and entertainment activities.

Asked about social activities, 74% of the welfare benefit recipients said that they do not take part in events in local communities, and 51% replied they do not attend funerals or weddings because of the expense involved.

Min-iren Secretary General Nagase Fumio pointed out that the survey made it clear how the welfare benefit recipients are socially isolated. He added, “If the government reduces social security payments even futher, it will increase their economic hardships and cause more health problems and solitary deaths. The government must abandon the plan to cut the benefit.”