What type of study is this?

This is a Quantitative Study study.

October 1, 2025Open Access

Foreign residents and public assistance in Japan

MKMasanori KurokiSouthern Arkansas University Tech

Key Points

Eligible foreign residents in Japan have a higher public assistance usage rate than citizens, affecting welfare policy discussions.
Analysis over a decade shows minimal fiscal impact despite increased numbers of foreign residents accessing public assistance.
Prefecture-level data shows no significant effects of noneligible foreign residents on public assistance expenditures in Japan.
Overall, the growth of the foreign population does not appear to strain Japan's welfare system, which is crucial for policymakers.

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between Japan's growing foreign resident population and public assistance outcomes. Using national-level data from 2012 to 2022, the analysis confirms that although eligible foreign residents have a higher public assistance usage rate than Japanese citizens, their overall fiscal impact is likely minimal. When prefecture-level data is analyzed, the share of noneligible foreign residents—who account for the majority of recent population growth—has no statistically significant association with public assistance expenditures or the number of recipients, suggesting that the overall increase in the foreign population is not straining Japan's welfare system.

Ask AI

Helpful

Bookmark

View Full Paper