Regarding financial support for those who have fled from Ukraine to Japan, the government has announced a policy of paying living expenses to those who have no relatives or acquaintances in Japan.
On the other hand, there are also voices pointing out that the local governments are spreading their own support in the form of compensating for the part that the national support does not reach, and that "the national government should set rules and respond".
What are the contents of the support and the challenges?
I will tell you in detail.
What is the government's support?
Regarding the acceptance of refugees from Ukraine, the government has decided to provide support such as paying living expenses to "people who have no relatives or acquaintances in Japan".
The contents of support are as follows.
▽ Aside from the provision of meals while staying at the hotel of the temporary accommodation secured by the government
, the following amount per day will be paid as living expenses
12 years old and over 1000 yen
Up to 11 years old 500 yen
▽ Local governments and companies that have offered to accept After leaving the temporary accommodation to move to the provided residence
(both are paid per day)
2400 yen for 12 years old and over (1600 yen for the second and subsequent people)
1200 yen until 11 years old
How was the amount of support decided?
According to an interview with the Immigration Bureau of Japan, the amount of living expenses to be paid after leaving the temporary residence was decided with reference to the livelihood protection system.
The amount of "living assistance" (food expenses, utilities expenses, etc.) provided for livelihood protection varies depending on the region and age, but it is about the same as the median value.
In addition, the amount of payment at the temporary accommodation is reduced by the amount after deducting the cost because meals are provided.
On the other hand, if there is a "guarantor" such as a relative or acquaintance in Japan, such living expenses will not be paid.
Regarding this, the person in charge of the Immigration Bureau of Japan said, "Since the guarantor is taking care of my life, I am asked to enter the country, so first of all, I will pay living expenses to people who are not close to me so that there is no hole in support. If the guarantor can no longer take care of his or her life, I would like to respond flexibly. "
Who didn't get help?
On the other hand, some people who accept relatives are asking for more support.
Akihiro (54), an office worker living in Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, is a relative of Orya (Chris) with his wife Orya (37) = (left photo) who lived in Ukraine and his 8-month-old son. 33) and the 4-year-old daughter have been accepted since the 18th of last month.
Mr. Akihiro picked up Mr. Orya and Mr. Chris to Poland, and the travel cost was about 700,000 yen for 5 people, and it cost more than 1 million yen including the hotel fee and the inspection cost of the new corona.
Currently, Chris and his daughter live together at Akihiro's home, but Akihiro is supporting his life because he does not speak Japanese and has no prospect of finding a job.
In the future, it is expected that Chris's family will be responsible for living expenses such as food expenses and utilities expenses by about 100,000 yen every month, so even those who have evacuated to Japan with relatives and acquaintances to the government etc. I want you to expand your support.
Akihiro said, "I have to pay all my travel expenses and living expenses so far, and I can't rely on anything. I'm worried about my future life. I want you to spread it. "
Chris said, "I don't know when I can return to Ukraine, so I want to study Japanese and work in Japan, but I'm worried about my future life."
In the local city of Matsudo, temporary living support of 150,000 yen will be provided to those who have evacuated from Ukraine regardless of whether they have relatives or acquaintances, but there are plans to continue to provide support. That is not the case so far.
What is the support of the local government that accepts it?
Under these circumstances, there is a growing movement of local governments to provide their own support money in the form of compensating for the part that the national support does not reach.
Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture, has decided to cover the living expenses independently in addition to the amount paid by the government, regardless of whether or not they have relatives or acquaintances, so that they can receive 150,000 yen every month.
The period is up to one year until you become independent, and if you evacuate with your family, we are adjusting to compensate for the second and subsequent people.
In addition to providing a lump-sum payment of 150,000 yen per person, municipal housing will be provided free of charge, and the city will bear the utility bill and the half-year tuition fee of about 300,000 yen at a Japanese language school.
In addition, in Hyogo prefecture, as of April 13, at least 7 households have been evacuated by relying on relatives and acquaintances, so local governments have established a support system to subsidize up to 2.14 million yen per household. There is a growing movement to provide support money on its own.
"It's hard to tell if there is a difference in support."
There are voices pointing out that the government should properly set rules and deal with this situation.
Mayor Shunichi Kamiya of Chiba City said at a regular press conference on April 13, "It is very difficult to understand that there is a difference in the amount of money depending on the local government, and there is a difference in the target even with the support of the government, and I think that evacuees will be confused." Said.
On top of that, the government should provide financial support collectively.
Expert "The country should set the rules"
What do you think of this situation?
We asked Professor Atsushi Kondo of the Faculty of Law, Meijo University, who is familiar with refugee policy.
"In Japan, there was no legal system to support evacuees like this time, but it is commendable that the government decided to support it. On the other hand, on a case-by-case basis, relying on acquaintances People who have evacuated should be the target of support, and I think it is an issue for the future. It is important to think mainly about how to make up for the shortage, whether or not there is a supporter. " I point out that.
Also, about the spread of support unique to local governments.
"It is good for local governments to add the missing parts, and even if the national government makes rules in the future, I think it is possible for each local government to make its own judgment, such as making it thicker than national standards. However, the original rule is to create and respond to the rules as a country. Many people have fled as refugees from many countries, and such things may happen in the future, so a system for accepting them. Should be made firmly. "