Stephanie Buff
Social Welfare
October 8, 2012
With
the upcoming United States presidential election, a focus on federal policy has
dominated American attention. In examining the United States political flaws, I
have become interested in international comparisons. Specifically, the concept
of Social Welfare is one that deserves national attention. Japanese social
welfare policies show stark contrast with American policies, and reflect
Japanese cultural practices.
The
deep- rooted value of pride that accompanies Japanese culture, most likely
dating back to the samurai mentality, affects Japanese government aid programs.
The NY Times article, “Welfare as Japan Knows It: A Family Affair”, highlights
the sense of shame associated with receiving Japanese government aid. “Scholars
say that many people who are eligible for welfare do not apply, because of this
sense of shame.” A scenario is given to further enforce this idea, which
describes a separate elevator to the welfare floor of a building, which ensures
the applicants anonymity when visiting the office. The Japanese are quick to
say that those who receive government aid are “lazy”. The article continues to
say that there was little sense of entitlement among the Japanese homeless,
many of who do not qualify for social welfare.
The
Japanese government distributes financial aid in the form of welfare to
approximately one percent of the population. This contrasts the eight percent
of the U.S. population that receives some sort of government aid. Of the one
percent of Japan that receives welfare, 33% are elderly, 45% were households
with sick or disabled members, and 14 % are fatherless families. The remaining
8% fall into another qualifying category.
Furthermore
relating to Government financial policies, a minimum wage act was implemented
in 1947, to protect low-income workers. Also, social insurance systems are
active, including health insurance, employee pension, unemployment insurance,
and workers’ accident compensation insurance.
The
New York Times alludes to the idea that the kin network of family is
strengthened in Japan because support from the government is not as strong as
the United States for example. It is stated that “Applicants in Japan are
obliged to get help first from their families”. This supports the strong
emphasis that Japanese culture places on family.
The
flaws of the system, at least as perceived by Nicholas Kristof, the author of
the article, are highlighted by the case of Katsuo Kawagoe. Kawagoe is said to
live in a cardboard box at the Shinjuku train station. He describes his trip to
apply for government aid, stating, “They were not helpful. The only way you can
get aid is if you’re over 65 or if you’re really sick and taken to the
hospital.” He continues “between racking, tubercular coughs” to say that he
will only have a chance once he is over the age of sixty-five. Kawagoe is 53,
and has years more of suffering to battle before he can apply again for a
chance at help.
Contrary
to the flaws “From some perspectives, this system has worked brilliantly. The
country’s already strong family ties have been strengthened, and the main
safety net is the family rather than the Government”. Even more impressive,
“The number of Japanese in the basic welfare program has declined sharply over
the last half century, as people became better off and built up savings.”
Discussion Questions:
1.
Do you think the Japanese system of social
welfare seems more effective than the American System?
2.
Do you think the nations’ cultural differences are
what make the social welfare systems different?
Works Cited:
1. It depends. What does "effective" refer to in a social welfare system? That people get better (their life gets improved), that not many are receiving it, or something else?
ReplyDelete2. I think so partly. I think culture influence how a country shape its government and society, which is perhaps why, in a country where the family is the central unit the social welfare system is located and rooted in the family whereas in a country focus around the individual has a structure which allows a lone individual to get social welfare help.
I saw several things that translated to the American perspective. Especially the social stigma that is associated with recieveing social welfare. Things arent that different around the world.
ReplyDeleteThe welfare systems all over the world are pretty messed up. I saw similarities and differences between the United States and Japan in the social welfare.
ReplyDelete