Make no difference to the value of life August 1st 15:22

A watch that still smells like smoke.

Her husband, who was involved in the clinic arson, wore it until the end.

A wife who suddenly lost her precious husband, who was taking a step towards her return to work.

She was very worried about having to raise a young child on her own.

What was even more disheartening was the state compensation system for crime victims, which was supposed to be an economic relief.

Her husband, who had been working hard to return to work, was lumped

together as "unemployed" and had his benefits drastically reduced

.

A matching watch chosen by my family-minded husband

A couple's matching wristwatch that my husband chose and bought.

My husband, who went to a psychosomatic clinic in Osaka, wore it until the end.

A woman who lost her husband:

“My husband and I chose matching items and bought them for us. I was proud that he had chosen me as his wife.”

A kind father who positively worked on childcare and housework for young children.

The family's peaceful days were suddenly broken.

Undelivered email to husband

In December last year, a clinic in a building in Kita Ward, Osaka was set on fire, killing 26 people, including patients and staff involved.

The woman saw the news popping up on her computer screen while she was at work and realized that the clinic her husband attended was around the corner and sent her a message.

1:43 pm.

"Are you okay? It looks like there's a fire nearby,"

he usually replies right away, but it doesn't show as read, and he doesn't answer the phone.

She went home as soon as she finished her work, thinking about it and not wanting to believe it.

It is said that he interacted normally with young children so that they would not be anxious.

A woman who lost her husband:

“I waited for her to come back, believing that she would come back, but I didn’t say anything to my child at home and spent my time as usual. I thought I might have forgotten my mobile phone in the house, but I couldn't find it."

When I started to get more and more anxious.

Just before 9pm, I got a call from the police.

“It is very difficult to say…” She

was informed that her husband had died in an arson attack.

Woman who lost her husband:

"I learned that my husband was a victim and had already passed away when I sent the email. I went to the police station by myself and confirmed that it was my husband. I didn't have any burns, It was very beautiful.I thought I would be able to see my children and parents, so I met my husband's body with my family, even though it was a short time until the autopsy.A precious family member suddenly disappeared for no reason. I can't find the answer to the question "Why?"

"I want to protect my family" Husband who was aiming to return to work

Originally a husband who worked as a full-time employee in a job that made use of his qualifications.

Her serious and hard-working personality made her work so hard that she lost her mind and body balance and was forced to quit her job.

She wanted to work again for her precious family, so she went to the clinic's rework program to support her return to work.

She said that she sat in the front row and listened intently to the lecture on how to hold her mind.

Among her husband's belongings, the woman found a note with her thoughts on her family.

A memo written by her deceased husband,

"To protect the family. I want to expand my child's growth potential. I want to make my family smile."

A woman who lost her husband

``She was a person who really liked her work, so she probably valued her passion for her work and her sense of fulfillment. I think that I want to show the growth potential of my father, that kind of working father, etc. I really thought about my family and wrote it with a positive attitude so that I can work again I think"

Heavy financial burden “Is it the self-responsibility of the murdered side?”

"I want to take my husband home as soon as possible. I feel sorry for him being put in such a cold place.

"

Amidst the chaos, she is forced to bear financial burdens one after another, such as the cost of hospital treatment, the cost of transporting her husband, and the cost of the funeral.

The amount of money the woman had to shoulder in the immediate aftermath of the incident was far more than she had imagined.

A woman who lost her husband said,

"Financial burdens are something that cannot be avoided in order to survive. But is it the self-responsibility of the murdered side? The financial burden on the victim's side is too great, even to see off the deceased one by one."

"Don't arbitrarily put a value on life"

Even so, don't get swallowed up by emotions like hatred, sadness, and frustration that keep you from moving forward.

The woman decided to raise a young child alone.

However, I was confronted with a fact that made me even more stunned.

In the national compensation system for the bereaved families of crime victims, the amount of benefits is calculated based on the income at the time of the damage, and the husband, who was unemployed, will be greatly reduced.

A woman who lost her husband

"My husband was unemployed and went through a rework program, and while I was working hard to get back to work for my family's future, my husband was unreasonably killed. Financial compensation The reality is that when you ask the government to get you to pay for it, you are confronted with things like 'it will be calculated based on your income at the time' or 'this is a reduction in the case of your family'. There is a difference in the value of life, and I feel strong resentment against the system of the country that creates that difference.”

“Unemployed” Victim Compensation Is Significantly Lower

The national crime victim benefit system is a system that provides compensation as a lump sum to crime victims and their bereaved families.

Benefits are calculated based on the victim's age, income, family status, and relationship with the perpetrator.

The amount of benefits to bereaved families in the event of death due to a criminal act is up to 29,645,000 yen (for those aged 50 to 54 who support the livelihood of four or more family members), as determined by the prefectural public safety commission. .

The calculation criteria are determined by the age and income of the victim at the time, and if the family supports the livelihood, the total amount of benefits is determined by adding according to the number of members.

According to a trial calculation by the Crime Victims Support Group "Association for Crime Damage Compensation", for example, if the victim is in his 30s and has three family members, if the victim himself has income and is recognized as supporting the family's livelihood, The maximum benefit amount is 22,070,000 yen.

However, if you are unemployed or have no income and are unable to support your family's livelihood, the minimum standard amount will be 7 million yen.

In other words, there is a difference of about 15 million yen depending on whether you have income or not.

Women, like the woman's husband, who have worked for many years by making the most of their qualifications, may fall under the lowest standard amount of benefits if they happen to be unemployed and have no income when they happen to be victimized, which makes women feel uneasy. .

In addition, there are various "reduction provisions" in this compensation system, and if there is a relationship such as a relative or an act that induces crime damage such as an argument, the benefit standard amount will be reduced or not paid at all. or not.

In addition, a civil lawsuit may be filed against the perpetrator seeking damages.

However, in this arson case, the suspect also died, and it is difficult to seek compensation.

There are many cases where victims and bereaved families do not pay compensation because the perpetrators do not have the financial resources or refuse to pay.

"Crime" and "traffic accident" Big difference in damage compensation

Women hurt by inadequate support systems.

I consulted with the "Association for Crime Damage Compensation" in Hyogo Prefecture, which was introduced to me by an acquaintance of hers.

She says that she learned that the dignity of the deceased and her bereaved family were not being protected.

Ms. Toshiko Otake (69), who serves as a director of the organization, is also a bereaved family member who lost her husband to a crime.

Her husband, Asaichi (age 53 at the time), was stabbed to death on the street in 2001 by a childhood friend who lived next door.

She applied for government compensation, but her benefits were reduced by a third to about ¥1.25 million, as her Asaichi's defense was found to be excessive.

Compensation from the perpetrator was only partly paid, and it is said that she was left with nothing after allocating it to attorney's fees.

Since the incident, Mr. Otake is still suffering from insomnia.

She works part-time with the support of an organization, but she has a hard time remembering the work she started at an old age, and she continues to make ends meet on a meager income.

She wants to eliminate the bereaved families of crime victims who feel the same way she does, and is also working on support activities for her other bereaved families.

Ms. Otake said that after hearing the voices of bereaved families who were forced to live in financial difficulties, she realized that the amount of compensation for crime victims was significantly lower than that for victims of traffic accidents. is a challenge, she feels.

Mr. Otake and his group point out that it is strange that there is a difference in the amount of compensation for "crimes" and "traffic accidents", and they are asking the government to review the system as soon as possible.

Ms. Toshiko Otake, Association for Compensation for Crime Damage

"After I was a victim of crime, I was in a situation where I couldn't think of anything else, thinking about what to do with my life tomorrow. At least, my life so far. Is it a luxury request to seek compensation on a par with traffic accident victims so that they can

Even if you are unemployed, traffic accidents will be compensated at the average salary

What is the compensation system for traffic accident victims and bereaved families?

In the national compensation system, there is automobile liability insurance, so-called compulsory automobile liability insurance, as a compensation system for the bereaved families of victims of traffic accidents.

Compulsory automobile liability insurance is operated by the automobile user paying the insurance premium.

Regarding car accidents caused by negligence, even if the victim had no income at the time, in principle, the benefit amount is calculated based on the average salary for each age group.

Even if compulsory automobile liability insurance cannot be applied because the perpetrator was not identified in the hit-and-run or the vehicle was uninsured, the government will provide compensation equivalent to compulsory automobile liability insurance to the victim as a government project on behalf of the perpetrator. I'm here.

Due to these differences in systems, if there was no income at the time the victim was injured, the compensation for crime victims, which is calculated according to their income, will be much lower than compensation for traffic accidents. is.

Expert "Compensation equivalent to compulsory automobile liability insurance"

Hidemichi Morosawa, a former president of Tokiwa University who is familiar with the compensation system for crime damage, points out that the current compensation for crime victims is insufficient, and says that compensation should be at the same level as compulsory automobile liability insurance. .

Hidemichi Morosawa, Former President of Tokiwa University

“The current compensation system is too small to compensate for the economic loss of the victims, and does not meet the current situation of many victims and bereaved families. It is strange that there are differences in compensation for victims, and the same standard should be applied, such as making it the same level as compulsory automobile liability insurance. , the current compensation system itself should be reviewed.”

Review of the system Request to the government

In April, the woman visited the House of Councilors Office with members of Otake and other support groups and requested the government to enhance victim support.

▼ Compensation

for crime victims will be at the level of compulsory automobile liability insurance

. We are calling for a radical overhaul of the system.

I had to take a break from work to take care of my child, which I had been cooperating with my husband until now.

I had to save my job, and my income was reduced.

The woman complained about her financial hardships and anxieties in front of Diet members and government officials.

A woman who lost her husband complained,

"I think my child will eat a lot from now on, become interested in various things, and grow up in good health. When my child wants to do something, do that, or go to this school, I definitely don't want them to say, 'No, I can't because my father is gone and I don't have the money.' I think there are as many people with these as there are victims of the incident.I would appreciate it if the system was properly operated, and I think it would save a lot of people.”

Japan's support system lags behind other countries

The National Crime Victim Benefit System was established in 1981 to support crime victims and bereaved families who cannot receive public relief or compensation for damages.

Until now, revisions have been made while listening to the voices of the parties concerned, but many problems have been pointed out, such as various reduction provisions and low compensation amounts.

A woman who lost her husband:

"In the text explaining the outline of the system, it was stated that 'a system that enables victims and bereaved families to lead a peaceful life as soon as possible.' I would like to see the system become more focused on reducing the burden and suffering of people on a daily basis.”

The total amount paid by the national crime victim benefit system in FY2020 was approximately 820 million yen.

The burden per citizen is calculated as 6 yen.

According to the New National Association of Victims of Crime (Shin Asunokai), France costs 742 yen per person, while Germany costs 592 yen.

Mr. Morosawa, former president of Tokiwa University, points out that Japan is lagging behind other countries in efforts to support crime victims, not only at the national level but also at local governments.

The voices of those concerned seeking improvement are increasing, but we have yet to see any concrete moves by the government toward improvement.

The woman said she agreed to be interviewed because she wanted to share what she had faced and hope that she could help others in a similar position. .

Crime victims and bereaved families are forced to bear a heavy financial burden while carrying an unbearable grief.

Anyone can be a victim of crime.

I would like the government to face up to the current situation of each individual and show a willingness to enhance the compensation system.

Keisuke Ushiromura Joined

Osaka Broadcasting Station

in 2017 Covering

cases and judicial affairs after working at Nara Station