Politics · Japan · 2 days ago
Japan rethinks foster care outreach after survey finds low awareness
Japan’s foster care system provides homes for children who cannot live with their parents because of hardship, neglect or other circumstances.
About 42,000 children nationwide are in this situation, and most live in child welfare institutions.
At the end of fiscal 2024, 26.3% were placed with foster parents or similar caregivers.
A survey of 5,194 adults across Japan found that 52.6% knew nothing about foster parents who care for children temporarily, while only 2.8% understood that system in detail.
People considering fostering most often raised concerns about costs, building a relationship with a child and contact with the child’s birth parents.
In response, the Japan Children Support Association is changing its outreach to explain what foster parents do and what help they receive.
It now says that foster parents caring for children receive about 150,000 yen a month to help cover expenses.
The group also wants to show how fostering affects caregivers’ lives, as well as the children’s.
A survey found that more than half of respondents in Japan knew nothing about foster parents who care for children in their homes.
The findings have prompted advocates to rethink how they explain foster care and the support available to caregivers.
The survey received responses from 5,194 people across Japan in April.
Only 26.3% of children needing care outside their parents’ homes were placed with foster parents or similar caregivers at the end of fiscal 2024.
Advocates say public outreach should explain what foster parents do and address concerns such as financial costs.
- Who
- Osaka Metropolitan University professor Kayoko Ito and the Japan Children Support Association conducted the survey. The association’s director, Shinobu Iwasa, is changing its outreach.
- What
- A survey found low awareness of foster care, prompting advocates to rethink public information campaigns.
- When
- The survey was conducted in April; its findings were revealed in July.
- Where
- The survey covered people across Japan. The association is based in Osaka.
- Why
- The survey showed that many people knew little about foster care, while concerns included financial burdens and relationships with children and their birth parents.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
We have to actively let people know that support for foster parents exists.
Kayoko Ito and the Japan Children Support Association conducted an online survey of people across Japan.
A figure on public awareness of the foster care system was revealed.
The association began stating on posters and handouts that foster parents for child rearing receive about 150,000 yen every month.
- Survey responses
- 5,194 people
- Knew nothing about foster parents for child rearing
- 52.6%
- Understood the foster care system in detail
- 2.8%
- Understood the system in detail or broadly
- 14.6%
- Foster care placement rate
- 26.3% at the end of fiscal 2024
- Monthly allowance promoted by the association
- About 150,000 yen
Sources
Related news
Japan considers including railways in defense-related spending
Japan opposition to question agriculture minister over road budget remarks
Japan had a separate unit that used geography in electronic warfare
Japan sets 30 km/h speed limit on residential roads nationwide
Japan may have half as many infrastructure workers by 2050
More Japanese local governments take steps to address loneliness and isolation
Takaichi says tax cut amounts to ¥36,000 per citizen
Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force failed to reuse ¥58 million in helicopter parts
Japan cabinet approves temporary food tax cut, leaving key details unresolved
Japan submits bill to cut food consumption tax to 1% for two years
Japan government submits bill to cut tax on food and nonalcoholic drinks
