Policy Diffusion and Social Security in Japan: The Role of Progressive Local Governments in Shaping Elderly Care and Child Allowances

Ryotaro Takahashi, Tokai University

Japan has been characterized as a familialism within the concept of a welfare regime, signifying that the responsibility for care predominantly resides within the family unit. This does not imply, however, that the notion of socializing care has been entirely absent from Japanese policy history. In the early 1970s, the introduction of social security measures, notably the free medical care for the elderly and child allowances, were pivotal. These initiatives, from a financial perspective, facilitated the provision of care for both the elderly and children, thereby harboring the potential for the socialization of care within Japan. Nevertheless, while medical care for the elderly evolved into a substantial system, the scale of the child allowance program has remained modest on an international level. That is to say, the amount of the child allowance was minimal, the duration of payment was brief, and it was subject to income restrictions. This research analyzes why these two systems diverged in scale, focusing on Policy Diffusion by "Progressive Local Governments." Progressive Local governments, notably the Tokyo Metropolitan Government under Ryokichi Minobe (Minobe Metropolitan Government), adopted these policies before the central government implemented them.Starting December 1, 1969, the Minobe Metropolitan Government introduced free medical care for the elderly and a child allowance. This led to their subsequent adoption by other progressive local governments and eventually the central government. Despite discussions on imposing a partial cost on elderly medical care and expanding the child allowance, the study examines why the scale of free medical care for the elderly expanded significantly, and the child allowance remained limited internationally. Through this examination, the study reveals the characteristics of Japan's social security system: high expenditure on health and low child allowances (family allowances), compared internationally.

No extended abstract or paper available

 Presented in Session 1. Welfare, States, and Security