Japan Press Weekly

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2013 June 26 - July 2 [WELFARE]

Why are social welfare programs necessary?

Why are social welfare programs necessary for ordinary people while the Abe government is planning to cut such programs?

Workers or the public in general are basically the have-nots, said Professor at Ritsumeikan University Karakama Naoyoshi. The professor explained that they cannot fully protect themselves on their own, and that public welfare assistance exists to protect their livelihoods from various societal inadequacies.

The following are his comments published in Akahata on July 2:

The average amount of savings per household in Japan is 14 million yen. A family of four cannot live on the 14 million yen for more than four years without a job. Anyone who has to keep working to survive is basically called a “have-not”, not an “asset holder”, even if that person has 14 million yen in savings. Once a person loses their job and hardship ensues, the person has no choice but to accept any job, no matter how low the wages may be.

Unemployment insurance and public assistance programs, if they are functioning, will prevent such “compelled selling of labor power” and will eventually prevent workers’ working conditions and wages from being worsened. Thus, the social welfare system brings benefits not only to the unemployed and the needy but has a ripple effect also on workers who indirectly support the people in need.

Many Japanese people have debts, mainly due to housing loans and loans for higher education. Anyone who owes a debt has to keep working even under harsh working conditions because that is the only way they can repay the debt.

If the government provides enough social assistance to workers, it will give workers enough strength to redress unreasonable labor practices like excessively long working hours and heavy workloads.

Poverty harms people’s mental states as well. In the 1930s, for example, Nazism appeared in Germany amidst increasing poverty caused by massive unemployment. In contrast, in countries where unemployment relief measures were available, the citizens’ movements opposing fascism emerged.

Social welfare programs are necessary to alleviate poverty and protect people’s daily lives, which will give ordinary people enough strength to face up to injustices and will help to cultivate democracy.