Record 2.05 million Japanese on welfare

The number of Japanese living on welfare benefits hit a record high in July amid the severe employment situation.

The welfare ministry says 2.05 million people received assistance in July, up 8,903 from the previous month.

The recipients are increasing in working-age households.

The number of working-age households on welfare reached 251,000 in July, which is about 4 times the figure 10 years ago.

Welfare rolls have been on the rise since 1995, after hitting a bottom of about 880,000 that year. Since Lehman shock 3 years ago, the figure has increased by around 10,000 every month due to the lack of jobs.

The increasing cost of benefits is pressuring the finances of the central and local governments. Total expenditures are projected to reach about 44 billion dollars, this fiscal year.

The welfare ministry is boosting programs to help the unemployed find jobs in order to stop the number of recipients from increasing.

Wednesday, November 09, 2011 12:41 +0900 (JST)