生活保護

• Reading: せいかつほご
• Romaji: seikatsu hogo
• Kanji breakdown: 生 (sei/i) — life; 活 (katsu) — activity, living; 保 (ho/tamo) — to protect, maintain; 護 (go/mamo) — to guard, protect
• Pronunciation: /seː.ka.tsɯ.ho.ɡo/

Meaning

Welfare; public assistance; livelihood protection. The Japanese government programme providing income support to people below the minimum standard of living.

Japan's primary social safety net, governed by the 生活保護法 (Public Assistance Act). Recipients receive support across eight categories including living expenses, housing, medical, and education. Uptake has historically been low due to social stigma (受給スティグマ). The system is administered by municipalities through caseworkers (ケースワーカー).

Examples

1. 仕事を失い、やむを得ず生活保護を申請した。 Having lost my job, I had no choice but to apply for public assistance.
2. 生活保護の受給者数はリーマンショック後に急増した。 The number of welfare recipients surged sharply after the global financial crisis.
3. 生活保護を打ち切られ、生活に困窮する世帯が増えている。 An increasing number of households are falling into hardship after having their welfare cut off.

Usage Guide

Context: welfare, social policy, poverty, government

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 生活 (livelihood, daily life) and 保護 (protection, safeguarding). Established under the 1950 Public Assistance Act, the programme represents the state's obligation to guarantee a minimum standard of living under Article 25 of the constitution.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal