Local News

In a ruling issued by the Second Petty Bench of the Supreme Court, an 82-year old permanent resident woman with Chinese nationality residing in Oita Prefecture was denied welfare benefits. The woman, who was born and raised in Japan, filed a complaint when her first application for benefits was refused by Oita City in 2008. The city later began disbursing benefits at its own discretion in accordance with a health ministry notification from 1954. The issue was narrowed down to focus on whether permanent resident foreigners should be eligible since the word used in the law is “kokumin” (citizens). The Oita District Court ruled that “the responsibility for guaranteeing a person’s right to life lies with the country of nationality”, but the Fukuoka Appellate Court overturned this ruling by stating, “permanent resident foreigners can be considered eligible for protection regardless of the working in the law”. The Supreme Court’s ruling, in turn, overturned the Fukuoka court’s decision. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun 7/19