Support Groups Petition for Increase in‍ Welfare Payments Amid Rising Prices

On ⁤the 13th, several ⁣support groups submitted a petition to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, calling for an increase of ​at least 7.7% in⁢ the standard amount ​of ⁢welfare payments. This move comes as households receiving welfare benefits struggle with poverty due to ⁤high prices.

Consumer ⁣Price Index ⁢Increase

The‌ consumer price⁤ index has increased by 7.7% since the‌ last revision in fiscal 2020. This significant rise⁤ has a direct impact‌ on the household finances of welfare recipients, making it essential to​ adjust the standard amount of welfare‍ payments ​accordingly.

The⁤ petition, submitted by 15 organizations across the ⁤country, ⁤including ‌the National Conference ‍on Measures ‍to Address⁤ Public Assistance ‍Issues, emphasizes the​ need for an increase ‍commensurate ⁤with the⁢ rise‌ in⁤ consumer prices. The conference is made ‌up of lawyers and⁣ academics who are advocating for the rights of welfare recipients.

Attorney Bito‌ and others hand over ‍a petition calling for ⁢an increase in the standard amount of ​welfare‌ assistance, in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, on the 13th.

The Ministry of​ Health,‌ Labour and Welfare has​ proposed reducing living ⁣assistance benefits, which are used ⁣for food ​costs, for elderly ⁢households in ‍fiscal 2022. However, ​taking into account rising prices, ⁣the ministry has frozen the⁤ reductions for fiscal 2023 and 2024. It has ⁤said it will “reconsider” the⁣ reductions for fiscal 2025 and onward.

Support groups have received ‌heart-wrenching‌ voices from welfare ⁤recipients, including a man ⁤in his 80s who said, “Gas is so expensive that we ⁣only take⁤ a⁤ bath once every four or ⁤five days.” A woman in her 80s shared, “We’re making do without​ turning on the⁤ electric fan and only have​ one meal⁢ a​ day -⁤ cheap rice crackers soaked in water.​ My husband is so weak he can’t ​even chew lettuce.”

Attorney Bito Hiroyoshi, ​representative of the⁣ National​ Conference, emphasized the⁣ importance of increasing welfare payments,​ stating, “Livelihood protection is the standard that ⁣will become the national minimum (the ‌minimum guarantee‌ of the people’s livelihood). With many voices of poverty being heard, ‌there ⁤is a danger that it will ⁢be lowered.⁤ The⁢ government should take into consideration this situation.”