Social Security and Welfare in Japan and West Germany

Abstract

The long-term lines of development of social security and welfare in Germany and Japan are still part of the expansion of social policy in the process of industrialization. However, the comparison of the two countries’ experiences in this area will be limited mainly to developments during the four decades since 1945. Despite a number of significant differences, both countries had certain characteristics in common. Although both suffered a great deal from World War II, they succeeded in rebuilding and developing modern economic and social security and welfare systems. Another common characteristic is the prevalence of the effective rule of law in the administration of social security and welfare programme. Citizens were entitled to specific kinds of social benefits, and could enforce their statutory rights by administrative tribunals or courts of law.