Over Half of Needy Pregnant Women in Japan Have No Savings

Tokyo, Oct. 10 (Jiji Press)–More than half of needy pregnant women and new mothers in Japan said that they have no savings, a survey by Save the Children Japan, a nonprofit organization, showed on Friday. The survey was conducted in April and May for 259 people who had applied for child care assistance from the organization. All of them gave valid responses. Of the respondents, 73.0 pct were unmarried or single parents. In terms of employment status, 45.6 pct were jobless and 28.6 pct were part-timers. The survey showed that 54.1 pct said their savings amounted to zero yen, while 22.4 pct answered they had less than 100,000 yen. The respondents had various concerns relating to their financial situation, with 86.9 pct worried about financial instability due to limited work opportunities during pregnancy and childbirth and 52.9 pct finding it difficult to prepare all necessary maternity goods and baby items. Asked how they would manage their household finances after childbirth, with multiple answers allowed, 61.8 pct said they would utilize benefits such as child allowances and child-rearing allowances, 53.3 pct said they would start working as soon as possible after giving birth and 22.0 pct said they would use their savings. In the free-form response section, respondents expressed their anxieties. Comments included “I am worried about whether I can afford diapers and baby formula after my baby is born” and “I cannot rely on my parents as I have a bad relationship with them.” An official from Save the Children Japan urged the central and local governments to strengthen their support measures. “Support with an immediate effect, such as cash payments and the provision of child care supplies, is needed,” the official said, emphasizing the importance of creating a comprehensive support system for pregnant women and new mothers in need that would alleviate their economic insecurity and isolation. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]