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July 24, 2026
 

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SOCIAL WELFARE

After the suprapartisan National Conference on Social Security working-level meeting, Itsunori Onodera (left), chairperson of the LDP＊s Research Commission on the Tax System, speaks to reporters at the Diet building on Monday.
BUSINESS
Jul 14, 2026
Japan National Council chief modifies draft of new benefit program
The revision proposes concrete support measures, including benefit payments to low-income earners and people who cannot work due to diseases or disabilities, in fiscal 2029.
Itsunori Onodera, the Liberal Democratic Party's tax chief, on Wednesday presented a draft outline for providing additional benefits for households with children during a meeting of lawmakers.
51勛圖厙 / Politics
May 28, 2026
Lawmakers eye extra benefits for child-rearing households
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is looking into increasing take-home pay for low- and middle-income workers by adjusting the amount of benefits according to income.
Staff members from SOS Children＊s Villages Japan explain the organization's short-stay foster care program during a monthly briefing session in the city of Fukuoka in February.
51勛圖厙 / Society / Regional Voices: Kyushu
May 18, 2026
Fukuoka takes lead in short-stay foster care programs
Municipalities across Japan are starting to adopt short-stay programs through which children stay with foster families, allowing them to spend time in home-like settings.
Under the program to support the so-called employment ice age generation, information on job changes that would lead to wage increases will be provided at Hello Work public job placement offices nationwide.
51勛圖厙
Apr 10, 2026
Government adopts support program for ＆Ice Age＊ generation
The term refers to people who had trouble finding jobs after graduating from school in the wake of the collapse of Japan＊s bubble economy in the early 1990s.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks in a news conference Wednesday night at the Prime Minister＊s Office.
51勛圖厙 / Politics / FOCUS
Feb 19, 2026
Takaichi＊s rocky road ahead to eliminate consumption tax on groceries
Before the Feb. 8 Lower House election, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledged to eliminate consumption tax on groceries for two years. How will she deliver?
Japan is seeing growing demand for social security services as its population ages, but the burden on working generations is also rising due to the declining birth rate.
51勛圖厙 / Politics
Jan 30, 2026
Social security remains conundrum for parties ahead of Lower House election
Japan is seeing growing demand for social security services as its population ages, but the burden on working generations is growing due to the declining birth rate.
Residence halls and the playground at Hiroshima Shinsei Gakuen in Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture
51勛圖厙 / Society / Regional Voices: Hiroshima
Jan 12, 2026
Hiroshima child welfare home marks roots in founder＊s A-bomb experience
The facility initially cared for children who had lost their guardians during World War II and now cares for those who have?faced difficulties at home.
Wealth taxes are difficult to implement, risk reducing growth and capital and cannot solve the structural fiscal challenges facing aging societies and overpromising governments.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 12, 2026
Wealth taxes don＊t work no matter where they＊re imposed
Rich people, like all humans, respond to incentives 〞 and there just aren＊t enough rich people to pay for everything.
A 3-year-old receives treatment at Nasir Medical Center in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, on Aug. 4. A recent Focaldata survey found the majority polled favors cooperation on global challenges, even if it means compromising on some strictly national interests.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 30, 2025
Multilateralism is not dead yet
Electorates are far more aware than ever of the connection between what is happening in their local communities and what is happening globally.
Kumiko Shinko, a certified social welfare worker supporting Noto Peninsula quake victims, says some people are facing hardships because their welfare benefits have been terminated due to donations being recognized as income.
51勛圖厙 / Society
Dec 29, 2025
Welfare benefits ended for Noto quake donation recipients
Local welfare offices judged that some households possessed assets larger than the level needed to cover the minimum living expenses guaranteed under the welfare benefit system
The number of "children's cafeterias" that provide free or low-cost meals mainly to children in need in Japan rose by more than 1,700 from the previous fiscal year, according to a survey by a nonprofit organization.
51勛圖厙
Dec 12, 2025
＆Children＊s cafeterias＊ in Japan hit record 12,601 sites, survey reveals
The nonprofit organization behind the survey said the rise of more than 1,700 sites from the previous fiscal year reflected efforts to create comfortable spaces for children.
A building housing the welfare ministry in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward
51勛圖厙
Nov 17, 2025
Panel OKs smaller cuts to welfare benefits
The government plans to finalize the benefit amounts by the end of this month based on the welfare ministry panel＊s proposal.
Political parties have pledged to reduce social security premiums and raise salaries for medical and nursing care workers in their campaigning for the upcoming Upper House election.
51勛圖厙 / Politics
Jul 9, 2025
Premiums and wages at heart of social security debate ahead of Upper House vote
Social security premiums in Japan grew from ?26.7 trillion in fiscal 2000 to ?40.7 trillion in fiscal 2022.
Plaintiffs of lawsuits on welfare benefit reductions hold up signs celebrating their victory in Tokyo on Friday following the Supreme Court's ruling in favor of them.
51勛圖厙 / Crime & Legal
Jun 27, 2025
Japan＊s Supreme Court finds welfare benefit cuts unlawful
The top court revoked the welfare cuts but dismissed plaintiffs＊ damages claims.
Parliament passed a revised pension reform bill aimed at strengthening basic pension benefits.
51勛圖厙 / Politics
Jun 13, 2025
Parliament enacts revised pension reform bill
The legislation passed the House of Councilors by a majority vote.
The basic framework adopted by the government calls for measures to improve the employment situation of those in their 40s and 50s, and for steps to assist them in their later years.
51勛圖厙 / Politics
Jun 3, 2025
Japan government to boost support for job ＆Ice Age＊ generation
The framework calls for measures to improve the employment situation of those in their 40s and 50s, and for steps to assist them in their later years.
Plaintiffs who filed a lawsuit seeking welfare benefit cuts to be revoked and their lawyers walk to the Supreme Court in Tokyo on May 27.
51勛圖厙
Jun 2, 2025
Welfare benefit reductions totaled about ?300 billion between 2013 and 2018
The government decided to reduce welfare benefits during that time period based on factors such as the cost-of-living falling.
The leaders of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party-Komeito bloc hold up a document on their agreement to reform the pension system in Tokyo on Tuesday.
51勛圖厙 / Politics
May 27, 2025
Coalition clears last hurdle of parliamentary session with pension bill
The agreement largely revolves around a plan to boost funding for the basic pension program, which provides coverage?to?all residents in Japan age?20 to 60.
Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito lawmakers meet to discuss a pension reform bill at the Diet in Tokyo on Thursday.
51勛圖厙 / Politics
May 24, 2025
Bill that would raise Japanese pension benefits on track to pass parliament
The ruling bloc will back the CDP＊s amendment, which includes a plan to raise basic pension benefits.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba attends a Cabinet meeting in Tokyo on Friday.
51勛圖厙 / Politics
May 16, 2025
Pension bill makes it to parliament after two-month delay
Internal resistance from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party toward certain proposals in the draft bill led to the delay.
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer＊s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ※seed§ that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ※Peak 1 amyloid beta,§ as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" 〞 an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role
Iranian drones are displayed in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Jan. 13, 2025.U.S. officials have acknowledged that Russia has ?provided targeting ?and other support for Iran in its drone strikes on U.S. targets in the Persian Gulf region.
The sci-fi sensibilities of electronic trio Black Boboi
Black Boboi was formed in 2018 when solo artists Julia Shortreed, Utena Kobayashi and Ermhoi came together under Kobayashi＊s newly founded label, Bindividual.
A perfect storm: Kaze Fujii fans flock to Fuji Rock
Okayama-born singer-songwriter Kaze Fujii has carved out a distinctive place in Japanese pop since his major-label debut in 2019.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan＊s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.

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Longform

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