Foreigners could lose long-term access to social support if the conservative Jisedai no To (Party for Future Generations) has its way.
The party aims to submit bills to the extraordinary Diet session to bar foreigners from receiving state assistance by replacing the current system of cash handouts — handled by municipalities — with perhaps a one-year program of food stamps and other limited aid to help foreigners get through periods of distress.
The party, launched by former Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara, wants to end 60 years of welfare benefits doled out to foreigners, Fumiki Sakurauchi, its policy chief, told The Japan Times last week.