Japan Press Weekly

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2013 November 6 - 12 [WELFARE]

Welfare ministry: implying that it is relatives’ duty to support welfare applicant is improper

The ministry of health and welfare on November 8 admitted that it is inappropriate to give relatives of a welfare applicant the impression that it is their duty to provide support, and instructed all municipalities to immediately stop such misguidance.

The ministry issued this administrative memo in response to the demand presented by Japanese Communist Party member of the Upper House Koike Akira at a House welfare committee meeting on the previous day.

Many municipalities, in violation of the existing Public Assistance Act, send relatives of a welfare benefit applicant an instruction which may mislead them into believing that they have an obligation to support the applicant.

Koike at the latest committee meeting cited the example of Nagano City. The city government checks the income, properties, debts, and insurance policies of welfare beneficiary’s parents, children, and siblings. Koike argued that this would force welfare seekers to give up applying for benefits.

After the ministry’s decision to put an end to the maladministration of welfare programs, Koike stated that it is a matter of course for the central government to direct municipalities to withdraw anything that could infringe on the right to apply for welfare benefits when needed as guaranteed by the Constitution.

He further said that the government should also abandon its aim to revise the welfare system in a manner that it will force people to provide support for their family members on welfare.