My Japanese Lawyer Heroes [Understanding the World]
The article discusses the author's experiences and observations during a visit to Japan, particularly focusing on low birth rates and poverty issues, and highlights differences in legal aid for the impoverished between South Korea and Japan.
In September of last year, the author traveled to Tokyo at the invitation of Professor Kenji Takahashi from Rikkyo University to address issues related to low birth rates and foreign labor policies. Notably, the presentation of South Korea's situation garnered considerable interest, likely due to the country's exceptionally low total fertility rate of 0.72 in 2023. Through discussions with presenters from Japan, Germany, and France, the author authenticated suspicions regarding the South Korean government's exaggerated low birth rate budget, which includes indirect costs such as housing support disguised as direct financial assistance, leading to a significant overstatement in actual funds directed at effective child-rearing support.