Many needy pregnant, nursing women burdened with living costs

Tokyo (Jiji Press) — Some 80 percent of needy pregnant and nursing women in Japan are struggling to secure funds to cover living expenses, according to a survey conducted by Save the Children Japan.

With many of them having no choice but to use aid from the state to cover costs of living and child care-related goods, an official of the nongovernmental organization urged both the central and local governments to expand assistance to these women, such as providing paper diapers.

The survey was conducted in October-December last year for 254 expectant and puerperal women who have applied for aid from the organization. All of them gave valid responses.

Of the respondents, 78.0 percent were unmarried or single parents.

By employment status, 49.2 percent were jobless, and 24.8 percent were part-timers. Asked about their financial conditions, 47.6 percent said they were barely making ends meet. Meanwhile, a majority stated that they were short of money, with 29.9 percent saying they are dipping into savings and 21.7 percent saying they are relying on borrowings.

Asked about what they were worried over, with multiple answers allowed, 82.3 percent said they do not have enough money to cover child-rearing expenses, followed by the lack of funds to cover living expenses, cited by 78.0 percent.

Of respondents on government benefits, the proportions of those using the aid to cover living costs, including utility bills, and baby care goods both topped 40 percent.

The Save the Children Japan official stressed the need for swift action by the central and local governments to support child-rearing families with low incomes. “Providing goods that are directly linked to infants’ health and growth is critical,” the official said.