日本社会福利的变迁:向以“自立”为主的生活支援转型

The Transformation of Social Welfare in Japan: Toward "Independence"-Oriented Livelihood Support

战后日本救济贫困者的方法从现金援助转向实物援助,继而转变成被称为陪伴式支援的综合咨询服务。日本的社会福利改革与国际上流行的工作福利一致,推行了以"自立"为主的生活支援。日本政府先后提出"生活保护支援自立计划(2005)""摆脱生活贫困实现经济成长的战略(2010)",最终于2015年确立了"生活贫困者自立支援制度"。新制度以综合咨询为主导,向贫困者提供"自立"陪伴式支援。同时,为了解决个人情况错综复杂的问题,要求各地区的有关人员携手共同进行生活支援。通过这样的改革,现代日本的社会福利从只能解决经济困难的贫困对策,上升到恢复社会关系、解决社会排除的对策。

The methods of supporting those who face difficulties in maintaining their livelihoods changed after World War II in Japan. In the beginning, cash benefits were emphasized. Then health and social care services were gradually expanded in the era of high economic-growth. In recent years, so-called ＂accompanying-style support＂, based on comprehensive consultation services, has been the main issue of social welfare. This article describes the Japanese social welfare reforms that center on the concept of ＂independence＂, which has been the most important aspect since the Social Welfare Fundamental Structure Reforms in the 1990s. These reforms coincided roughly with the international trends of a ＂welfare-to-work＂ policy. In 2005, the Independence Support Program of the public assistance system was introduced, which proposed the various kinds of independence required to attain targets, such as economic independence, daily living independence, and social independence. Subsequently the Personal Support Services Project began in 2010 under the governmental economic growth strategy to tackle difficult living conditions. This project resulted in the legislation of the new Independence Support System for the Needy, which was implemented in 2015. Comprehensive consultation services by social workers are at the heart of the new system, whereas accompanying-style supports are provided. In order to solve complex problems for clients, the community is expected to provide livelihood support by working coUaboratively. Through a series of reforms, Japanese social welfare has transformed from just measures to fight income poverty into ones to tackle social exclusion, which fix social relationships in the community.