Poverty In Japan

 Most people don't think of poverty as an issue in Japan. 

When I arrived in Japan in 1991, it was the start of the collapse of the bubble economy.  During the bubble economy, everybody considered themselves middle class. This has changed drastically in the past 30 years!

In the 1990s, there seemed to be a disparity between the news, which was full of economic woe, and what I saw. The news would talk of inflation rates, falling yen values, and how people were struggling. I would see lines outside expensive restaurants and shops full of customers buying things that aren't necessary.

Then I came across an article, maybe online, but I really don't remember about an old lady, in her 80s, and her son in his 50s, who starved to death. The article stated that there was only 10 yen in the lady's purse. The police found the lady's diary, she had written, "Today we ate the last rice, I don't know what will happen to us now."  That made me sad and very angry!  How can two people starve to death in a society that is as rich as Japan? 

This was maybe 20 years ago, maybe more. But that story has haunted me ever since.

Poverty in Japan is hidden; there's a cultural tendency to maintain appearances, which can mask the reality of financial hardship. 

According to my research, Japan's poverty rate is relatively high; in 2021, one in six people lived below the poverty line.  That's a lot of people.

Poverty among children is a particularly pressing issue. 16% of Japanese children lived below the poverty line as of May 2017. Single-parent households have even higher poverty rates. In 2021, approximately half of single-parent households surveyed were living in poverty.  This is significantly higher than the OECD average.

 With nearly 20% of the elderly living in relative poverty, which is nearly twice the OECD average, elder poverty is also a pressing issue. Poverty affects women disproportionately, with one-third of women living on their own and nearly half of single women over 65 living in poverty.

I've watched videos showing elderly people (in their 80s) having to work because their pension isn't enough. In some cases, old people have been known to commit petty crimes because in prison, you get a bed, 3 meals a day, and health care!

Poverty affects education. After junior high school, you have to pay for education. A lot of children who are living below the poverty line don't go to high school or college, which makes getting a good job difficult. 

What about welfare? There is a system in place, but it's hard to access. Any assets you have, you have to sell. Each city will have its own criteria, but most places will check into your bank or postal savings. I've read that most cities will make you sell anything they consider luxury; high-end TVs fall into this category, as do cars and motorbikes. If you own your own house you might be made to sell that before being considered for welfare.  The next thing they check is your family, can you be supported by family members?

So many people don't bother with welfare.

Why this post?

Because at the moment I'm poor, at least financially!

I'm rich in that I have my kids, and they are helping me out a lot!

I'm rich in that my health is okay, not great, I need to work on my blood pressure and get off diabetes medicine. Also, my joints need some help. But I'm not bed-bound or house-bound!

I'm rich in the fact that I live in an area that is beautiful, I can step outside, wander around my garden, enjoy the blossoms and the birds.

But I have no money! I'm trying to get new students, but it isn't easy. 

I know from experience that it's just a blip, that things will work out, somehow, but today I feel bad about being poor. I want to help Hannah; she is working two jobs to support herself through graduate school.

 I would love to have some money for Mikey to help him set up his own home when he gets married.

But just looking at the cold facts about poverty in Japan makes me feel more grateful for what I do have. A lot of people who are poor here have no way to move forward. I've seen videos of elderly people working for a pittance because their pension doesn't cover the basics, and I've known single mothers who work two jobs just to pay rent. I've given discounts to my English school to a family who had 3 generations living in a 2-room apartment but wanted their kids to have a chance of a better life by learning English.

I'm determined to get out of this situation, but I don't know how at the moment.

If you have any ideas, let me know!

I don't know what picture sums up this post, but two cats sleeping together is cute!

That's another thing I'm rich in, my cats love me!!!