The Nagoya High Court ordered the Japanese government to pay compensation for damages caused by the reduction in social benefits, NHK television channel reported on November 30.
The trial involved a 10% reduction in social benefits between 2013 and 2015. At that time, this measure was justified by the fall in food prices.
As a result, 13 residents of Aichi Prefecture went to court to demand compensation for the damage caused by this change, as well as the reversal of benefit cuts introduced by local authorities. In their opinion, due to this decision they found themselves below the minimum standard of living.
In 2020, the Nagoya District Court rejected their claims, saying it could not call the government’s decision illegal. They then went to the High Court.
The presiding judge has now said that the review of the standard benefit amount is a clear departure from the discretionary powers of the Minister for Social Security. In this sense, Suya registered a violation of the public assistance law and declared the government’s decision illegal.
The plaintiffs said it was the first decision by a regional court ordering the central government to pay compensation for damages caused by benefit cuts. According to them, 29 similar complaints have already been registered throughout the country.
According to the Secretary General of the Government, Hirokazu Matsuno, the competent ministry intends to study the materials of the case and discuss the situation with other departments and regions. Only then will the authorities be able to determine their reaction to this matter.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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