"Medical Students Get 300 Million Won" Japan Ahead of Election Floods with Cash Pledge Promises

Competition of Measures Ahead of April Local Elections
Universal Welfare and Cash Payment Pledges Continue

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] In Japan, where low birth rates have emerged as a serious social issue, a cash support war among local governments has begun from the New Year. Although there are criticisms of populism due to measures such as providing up to 300 million yen in support, the competition for pledges is expected to continue as Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has ordered a significant increase in the related budget.

On the 17th, Asahi Shimbun pointed out that nationwide competition for cash support pledges, including low birth rate countermeasures, is underway ahead of the local elections in April. Especially in the Tokyo 23 wards, where budgets are large, many places have announced unprecedented cash support measures. In Adachi Ward, a policy to support private university medical students with up to 36 million yen (300 million won) over six years was decided, attracting attention.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

More than half of the Tokyo 23 wards have decided to implement "universal welfare" without income restrictions, intensifying the controversy. In Shinjuku Ward, a congratulatory payment will be given to first graders entering elementary and junior high schools regardless of income. First graders in elementary school will receive 50,000 yen (480,000 won), and first graders in junior high school will receive 100,000 yen (960,000 won). According to Asahi Shimbun, the payment targets are 2,400 elementary first graders and 2,000 junior high first graders, with a total budget of 320 million yen (3.08 billion won) expected to be invested.

In Koto Ward, electronic coupons worth about 30,000 won per person will be issued to 82,500 people under 18 years old, and in Meguro Ward, 10,000 yen will be paid to 39,000 people under 18, along with a congratulatory payment of 20,000 yen per newborn. A Meguro Ward official said, "Considering situations such as high inflation, we will support each household with cash measures."

Not only in the Tokyo 23 wards but also nationwide, the competition for countermeasures continues. Niigata Prefecture decided to pay 50,000 yen fixed-term deposits maturing upon admission to kindergartens, daycare centers, or elementary schools at the time of childbirth. Nagasaki Prefecture distributes rice coupons equivalent to 10 kg per child’s parent, and Hokkaido distributes rice and milk coupons worth a total of 8,000 yen to households. Fukuoka City has introduced free childcare fees from the third child as part of its multi-child policy.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

While most local government policies are based on cash support, there are criticisms that this is a "handout" ahead of elections. Masashi Nishikawa, a professor at Aoyama Gakuin University, told Asahi Shimbun, "Social security policies are the role of the country or regional governments, so it is better for basic local governments to refrain. There is concern that disparities between local governments will widen due to competition, and people will flock to local governments offering unprecedented policies, leading to financial difficulties."

He added, "Even though there is no financial leeway, the number of places making cash payments an election pledge is increasing. It is time to check how effective these measures are."

However, as the Japanese government has announced plans to expand the related budget, these measures are expected to continue. On the 15th, Prime Minister Kishida stated in the National Diet, "We plan to double family-related expenditures, including child allowances and childcare policies," and "We intend to increase the budget from the current 2% of GDP to 4%."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.