Political parties' campaigns for the House of Representatives election on Sunday have highlighted enhanced support for children, with child-rearing households battered by the coronavirus pandemic, but experts say assistance should go beyond financial aid and ensure the improvement of related services.
A variety of child support measures have been put forward by both the ruling and opposition parties during campaigning, such as free higher education, the establishment of a government body to comprehensively deal with child matters, and a pledge of one-off payments of ¥100,000 for each child aged 18 or younger.
While experts welcome such pledges, referring to Japan's internationally low public spending on family benefits and education as well as relatively high child poverty rate, they say the steps presented by the parties are not enough to improve the harsh child-rearing environment in the country.