Japan Press Weekly

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2010 March 31 - April 6 [WELFARE]

Extra welfare benefits to single-mother families continue

The reinstatement of the additional payment of welfare benefits to single mother families living on welfare assistance will continue after the new fiscal year started on the day. With this, the cases pending in two high courts and three district courts will be closed.

Welfare Minister Nagatsuma Akira promised, “Base on the agreement, the government will work to ensure to all persons the minimum standards of living as guaranteed in Article 25 of the Constitution.”

Legal team leader Takeshita Yoshiki stated, “Our movement has gained public attention and succeeded in moving the new government. As our next goal, the legal team will pursue a victory in lawsuits demanding the return of additional benefits for the elderly living on stipend provided by the livelihood protection program.”

The system of extra benefits to single-mother households on welfare was abolished last March in accordance with the policy promoted by the former Koizumi government. However, many unmarried mothers throughout the country filed complaints and lawsuits calling for the return of the system. Late last year, the system was reinstated, but if it would continue after April was uncertain.
- Akahata, April 2, 2010