March 3 at 30:11 a.m.

The government's "special loan" system allows people whose income has decreased due to the effects of the new coronavirus to borrow up to 200 million yen without interest.

The number of uses was about 382.1 million, and the amount was about 4431,1.2 billion yen.

Repayments began in January, but less than <>% of people have actually been able to repay them.

As corona countermeasures are heading towards the exit, we can see the reality that many people are unable to rebuild their lives.
(Yokohama Broadcasting Station Odawara Branch Reporter Motoi Kitamura / Yokohama Broadcasting Station Reporter Mizuki Sato)

No return to work, halving income

Manami (pseudonym), 36, who lives in Kanagawa Prefecture, works in the hospitality industry in tourist spots and is raising five children with her husband.

Due to the spread of infection three years ago, the number of tourists has dropped sharply.

There are months when there is no work at all, and the annual income is less than half of what it used to be.

It has become less than 200 million yen.

Manami:
"I lost my job completely, and my life itself has changed from 100 to 0. Cut where you need to shave. But I can't cut my children's food costs. It was tough just to live."

Borrowed money for children's food

Manami, whose life became difficult, used a special loan for the first time three years ago and borrowed 3,40 yen.

At the time, we thought that once the spread of infection subsided, we would be able to return it immediately, but the situation did not change.

The money disappeared into children's food and utility expenses, and as we borrowed repeatedly, we reached the upper limit of 200 million yen.

Manami:
"At the time, I thought that the spread of infection would end in about six months, and that it would not be that serious, but after one or two years, I was only worried. Every day was filled with anxiety about money and what I was going to do."

Not only will they not return to work, but prices and utility bills will soar.

They are surviving by getting food from food banks and starting new part-time jobs as a couple, but their expenses continue to exceed their income.

Repayment forgiveness is also uncertain

Manami was supposed to start repaying 1,1 yen a month from January.

I applied to the Council of Social Welfare for exemption from repayment, and although it was approved due to my income, I am worried about the future.

Manami:
"When I was told that repayment would start from this year, I was relieved that Corona would be over and that I would have returned to work, but I am still struggling to repay.

The start of repayment is less than 2%

"Special loans" are the government's "Emergency Small Account Fund" and "Comprehensive Support Fund," which provide loans for living expenses for the time being to people who have difficulty living, and are expanded to include people whose income has decreased due to the new coronavirus.

As of September 2022, approximately 9,382,3000 loans, totaling approximately 1,4431.<> billion yen, have been granted.

Looking at the borrowers by age group, nearly 8% of the users are in their 50s or younger, and those in their 20s and 30s alone account for more than 3% of the total.

In January 2023, approximately 1,3,2 cases, or two-thirds of the total, were due to be repaid.

However, according to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, as of the end of January, about 258,2000 repayments were confirmed, which is less than 1%.

Like Manami, the number of cases where repayment was exempted or deferred was about 45,9000, which is more than 2% of the total.

More than 3% of the remaining are those who have not been exempted or deferred, nor have they repaid.

Under these circumstances, it has become clear that many people continue to find it difficult to repay.

Some people do not apply for exemption and cannot repay

Kenji (pseudonym), 35 years old, from Yokohama City, worked in the restaurant industry after graduating from junior high school, and at one point opened his own restaurant.

The situation changed drastically due to the spread of infection, and the restaurant where I worked went bankrupt.

My part-time job in the construction industry was no longer paid.

I went to Hello Work, but I couldn't find a stable job.

In addition to part-time jobs and day laborers, I even used a website where I could get pocket money if I helped my neighbors.

One meal a day.

There were days when I couldn't eat at all.

He borrowed 1,30 yen as a special loan, but it was quickly lost due to the accumulated rent payment.

I can't afford to consult...

I've also heard that an acquaintance who ran a restaurant committed suicide.

Kenji was mentally overwhelmed.

He could not afford to apply for repayment exemption from the special loan.

Kenji:
"I spent every day thinking about money and worrying about what I was going to do in the future. I received a notice from the Council of Social Welfare, but I didn't have time to consult with them because I was choosing a way to get as much money as possible every day. Repayment is difficult right now. I want to live a normal life as soon as possible. I want to be able to eat three meals, come home properly, have a place to sleep properly, dress properly, and live a life that does not make me anxious."

After interviewing him in February, Kenji found a full-time job.

He said he would start repaying the loan in the future.

I don't know the situation of people in need

The current situation is that many people are unable to repay their loans.

It is difficult for the social welfare councils that provide loans to grasp the circumstances of each situation.

The Council of Social Welfare in Zama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, has provided more than 4000,6 special loans.

There are only six staff members in charge.

Even if you want to meet face-to-face and listen to your worries and connect them to support that suits you, you can't do it.

Azusa
Kato, Zama City Council of Social Welfare: "At the time of the loan, there was a flood of applicants at the counter, so it was difficult to take the time to talk to one person.

An opportunity to make connections...

Against this backdrop, we have started a new "food bank" that distributes food and other items free of charge.

We are trying to find people who cannot repay or who are having trouble making ends meet, and gradually connect them to support.

Azusa
Kato, Zama City Council of Social Welfare: "There are many people who have been living on the edge of life for a long time, but with the unprecedented situation of Corona, they are no longer able to make a living. We're looking for ways to connect with them."

Enhancement of support and consultation

We asked Professor Tadayoshi Suzuki of Nagano University, who is familiar with the problem of living difficulties, about the current situation and countermeasures.

Professor Tadayoshi Suzuki of Nagano University:
"Special loans are borrowed money, but it would be a shame if people would not be able to make a living due to repayment. It is time to consider the ideal support system for the needy, including measures including the enhancement of the consultation system so that continuous support can be provided, as well as temporary loans. It is necessary for many people to be interested in thinking about it, not just those in charge such as social welfare councils and supporters."

The Reality of Living Hardship: How to Face It as a Society

Through this interview, I was reminded that the impact of the new coronavirus is particularly severe in households that were originally living on the edge.

Even now, as society moves significantly toward the "post-coronavirus" era, many people are forced to live a difficult life.

How will society deal with the reality of living difficulties that have emerged due to the start of the repayment of special loans?

We will continue to cover it in the future.

Yokohama Broadcasting Station Odawara Branch Reporter
Kitamura MotoJoined
Utsunomiya Bureau
in 2017 After Yokohama Bureau
Continued to cover the impact of the new corona on the economy and employment

Yokohama Broadcasting Station Reporter
Mizuki
Sato Joined the station
in 2010 Continues to cover poverty and poverty that are inseparable from children's rights on the theme of a society where all children can live vividly.