Child Welfare Programs in Japan

Abstract

This article attempts to explain that the healthy development of Japanese children is due, in part, to the types of child welfare programs that Japan has developed since World War II. With this in mind, the article discusses the economic and social changes that have shaped the development of child welfare programs in Japan, describes the types of income maintenance and social service programs provided to Japanese children, and describes the financing and administrative structure of these programs. The article analyzes the basic characteristics of these programs and concludes that the Japanese take an investment strategy in providing for children through these programs.