There is Public Assistance system to support poor people in Japan. The government gives poor families some amount of money every month. Not all poor families can receive the welfare, but some poor families in the specific condition can receive the welfare. Families who have their own house or spare financial assets cannot receive the welfare.
The system of Public Assistance is complicated and it is hard to say how much money they can receive. However, there is the standard basic amount for the model family (3 members; 33 years-old adult, 29 years-old adult, 4 years-old child). In 2012 the basic amount was 156,810 yen ($1,363.57 €1,081.45) for a family every month. The actual amount is higher than it, because usually the supplemental amount is given. The following shows the changes in the standard basic amount for a model family in Japan, 1986-2012 (unit yen/per month).
| Year | Yen per month for a family |
| 1986 | 126,977 |
| 1987 | 129,136 |
| 1988 | 130,944 |
| 1989 | 136,444 |
| 1990 | 140,674 |
| 1991 | 145,457 |
| 1992 | 149,966 |
| 1993 | 153,265 |
| 1994 | 155,717 |
| 1995 | 157,274 |
| 1996 | 158,375 |
| 1997 | 161,859 |
| 1998 | 163,316 |
| 1999 | 163,806 |
| 2000 | 163,970 |
| 2001 | 163,970 |
| 2002 | 163,970 |
| 2003 | 162,490 |
| 2004 | 162,170 |
| 2005 | 162,170 |
| 2006 | 162,170 |
| 2007 | 162,170 |
| 2008 | 162,170 |
| 2009 | 162,170 |
| 2010 | 162,170 |
| 2011 | 162,170 |
| 2012 | 162,170 |
| 2013 | 156,810 |
Source is National Institute of Population and Social Security Research.
www.ipss.go.jp/s-info/j/seiho/seiho.asp 「生活保護」に関する公的統計データ一覧
www.ipss.go.jp/s-info/j/seiho/seihoH26/H26-27.xlsx
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