(Update 2) Japan Top Court Finds Welfare Benefit Cuts Unlawful

   Tokyo, June 27 (Jiji Press)--Japan's Supreme Court ruled Friday that the government's cuts to welfare benefits in 2013-2015 were unlawful, marking a significant victory for welfare recipients about a decade after lawsuits were filed over the matter.
   Ruling on appeals against decisions by Osaka and Nagoya high courts, the top court's Third Petty Bench, presided over by Justice Katsuya Uga, revoked the welfare cuts but dismissed plaintiffs' damages claims.
   The decision was a majority opinion of four of the five justices on the bench. Uga gave a dissenting opinion arguing that damages claims should be recognized.
   It was the first time for the Supreme Court to find it illegal to lower the levels of welfare benefits, designed to guarantee minimum standards of living.
   Lawsuits on the welfare benefit reductions have been filed with 31 district courts in 29 prefectures around Japan, leading to differing rulings. The latest Supreme Court decision is expected to influence similar cases nationwide, likely resulting in rulings in favor of plaintiffs.

(2025/06/27-20:21)

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