Amid discussions about foreigner policies in the Upper House elections, rumors claiming that welfare support for Chinese residents in Japan doubled over five years have been circulating. However, this information is incorrect. The number of Chinese welfare recipients actually increased by about 4.5% over that period.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare’s data shows that in 2023, there were 9,471 Chinese welfare recipients, compared to 9,059 in 2018, a 412-person increase, or approximately 4.5%. These figures are far from the claimed doubling.
Minister Fukuoka has publicly stated that foreigners are not prioritized for welfare or medical benefits, countering false information spreading on social media. An article by Hokkaido News UHB also highlights the error in these social media claims, urging caution and verifying information sources.
In conclusion, the claim that the number of Chinese welfare recipients doubled in five years is incorrect. The actual increase is about 4.5%.
by MagazineKey4532