New social security plan to support doctors in rural areas, 'Net cafe refugees'

Tuesday 29th July, 01:50 PM JST

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10 Comments

limosine at 03:35 PM JST - 29th July

Good! Help those refugees! I hope their new apartments have high-speed internet connection to help with the withdrawal.
Speed at 05:11 PM JST - 29th July

The five areas the emergency plan covers are policies on the elderly, medical services, child-rearing, irregular workers and reforming the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

> This is good news. I'm glad to see that the government is putting more effort into these areas - money, not just talk. I wish this article was a little more detailed about the child-rearing assistance.

If they succeed with all of the above, it'll go a long way in re-establishing some stability in society and alleviate some of the problems associated with the widening income gap.
Beelzebub at 06:15 PM JST - 29th July

Japan's experiment with US-style "sink or swim" capitalism has just ended!
kinniku at 06:41 PM JST - 29th July

Speed,

I agree. There look like very good steps in the right direction and the people they are looking to help will be grateful for the assistance. It is nice to see the government beginning to think about the weakest among us and how they can be helped.
some14some at 07:42 PM JST - 29th July

Hope it does not end up as 'paper' plan.
Speed at 10:00 PM JST - 29th July

Yes Mr. Kinniku, I think the government may be starting to react to the growing concern by the general public that more and more people are becoming "the weakest link".

I'm wondering how and from where they are going to get the funds to enhance the social security system. That's the big question.

Beelzebub's comment reminds me of the fact that Japan used to be much more of a socialist democracy in the past. Personally, I'd like to see Japan head back in that direction.

Cut-throat capitalism isn't the only option for governments to take - there are other ways.
KitsuneYoukai at 11:57 PM JST - 29th July

It sounds like a good idea but for the young living in internet cafes and such they should have strict criteria to make sure they get off the aid as soon as they find work or else it will get out of control like Welfare has in the states.
rranta at 01:20 AM JST - 30th July

I am so very pleased to Japan deal effectively with a social problem instead of how we do it here in the states: iqnore it or have our congress mount hearings. Good for you. I wish all those effected a prosperous future!
imagawa at 07:58 AM JST - 30th July

"A panel consisting of experts and other members will also be set up in the welfare ministry to consider ways to restore public confidence in the ministry, the officials said."

This is what ruins all else.

Let's wait & see before we get too happy.
kinniku at 04:09 PM JST - 30th July

I'm wondering how and from where they are going to get the funds to enhance the social security system. That's the big question.

This is the big question and it happens to be a very good question. The government could start by forgoing the handwringing in favor of actually requiring (read that: forcing) people to actually pay into the social security funds. There are so many people in Japan who have taken it upon themselves to decide that it is not neccessary to pay into it. The government thus far has basically given these people tacit approval for non-payment. This should end and the money should be used to help the people it is intended to help and not finance trips overseas for Social Security employees.

You have an interesting point about social democracy. I have met quite a number of non-Japanese who are under the assumption that Japan has socialized medicine. They are quite surprised when I tell them that it doesn't.