For single mothers, no government financial assistance means no higher education for their children — and probably no future.

With the government in April terminating financial assistance to single parents that in Tokyo amounted to about ¥23,000 a month, many have no means to cover the expenses to even send their children to high school.

One single mother, who didn't want her name revealed, took refuge at a shelter in 2002 after suffering domestic violence and is now raising three teenagers.