Recent policy changes in the Universal Child Benefit in Japan

Abstract

Japan is rapidly aging, due to longer life expectancy and fewer children. Japanese social policy has tried to reduce the impacts of demographic changes by providing social services and benefits. The dominant Democratic Party of Japan came into power in the 2009 election after promising to extend child benefit, and following its landslide victory, the DPJ-led Government introduced the first universal child benefit in Japanese history. But barely more than two years on, the Government has been forced to abolish the benefit by a combination of strong opposition and financial crisis. This article will summarise the details of this child benefit controversy and look into the real problems of the Japanese welfare system behind the issues.