Japan Press Weekly

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2012 September 19 - 25 [WELFARE]

Majority prefers gov’t to focus on relief for people in need of public assistance

A ministry survey shows that more people prefer the government to protect the socially vulnerable rather than promote a society of free competition, indicating that many people think it is important to protect the weak despite the present trend calling for “self-responsibility” in social security and welfare sectors.

The Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare placed the survey result in its annual report, regarding the question “if you think it is more necessary to protect the socially vulnerable or to build a society of free competition.”

The percentage of respondents stating that priority should be given to the protection of the weak was 44.6% while 23.9% supported free competition. People with higher incomes tend to seek free competition, the survey shows.

The government should respond to the majority opinion that it is more necessary to protect the weak.