Many Japanese may regard people on welfare as not merely unfortunate have-nots, viewing them instead as contemptible slackers who don't seek work because they prefer to stay "comfortably poor."
Mainstream perceptions of welfare recipients in Japan are becoming increasingly hostile, said well-known anti-poverty activist Makoto Yuasa, who attributes a recent spike in public distrust to a scandal that grabbed national headlines last year.
The mother of comedian Junichi Komoto had been receiving welfare benefits for years despite her son's obvious wealth. Although there is no actual law requiring wealthy kin to financially support a relative in need, Komoto drew public scorn for not coming to his mother's aid.