 More than 900,000 families live on welfare The average monthly number of households receiving public welfare assistance reached a record high of 941,270 in FY 2003. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare on September 29 reported that the number of households on welfare increased by 8.1% or 7,339 families from the previous year. The largest group of those who were on welfare was senior citizens (435,804), followed by handicapped, injured or sick people (336,772). The main reasons for their becoming recipients of public assistance were "accident and sickness (38.6%)", followed by "reduction in and loss of income (20.4%)". Behind the increasing number of households on welfare is the Koizumi Cabinet's policy of promoting corporate restructuring under the name of "structural reform" that leads to a rise in the number of bankruptcies and unemployment, Akahata on September 30 reported. The livelihood protection system is a national program guaranteed by Article 25 of the Constitution stipulating, "All people shall have the right to maintain the minimum standards of wholesome and cultured living. In all spheres of life, the State shall use its endeavors for the promotion and extension of social welfare and security, and of public health." The Koizumi Cabinet, however, plans to cut government subsidies for the livelihood protection system from the present three fourths to two thirds. It also seeks to reduce or terminate welfare payments to households the government regards as a "not enough" working family. Even now, many cases are left out of the livelihood protection system on the grounds that the government regards them as "not using" their working capabilities. It is the proverbial cart before the horse that in spite of promoting corporate restructuring the government threatens welfare recipients with cutbacks or termination welfare payments because of their "lack of effort" to find a job, stated Akahata. (end) |