The Role of Social Enterprises in Supporting the Self-reliance of People living in Poverty in Japan and Korea

This paper aims to discuss the role of social enterprises regarding the support for self-reliance of people living in poverty (SSPLP) in terms of community welfare. The act on SSPLP in Japan is a new law that has taken effect... [ view full abstract ]

This paper aims to discuss the role of social enterprises regarding the support for self-reliance of people living in poverty (SSPLP) in terms of community welfare. The act on SSPLP in Japan is a new law that has taken effect in April 2015. This act not only deals with the comprehensive and continued consultation support system for the self-reliance of people living in poverty, but it also includes job training and employment by social enterprises. Not only job training but also enhancement of community welfare is expected from these social enterprises. 

The Korean system is earlier than Japanese one, but both systems are similar in some point. Japan and Korea are increasingly divided society. We need a new social safety net. In fact, some social enterprises have already begun to address community welfare for people and in particular,12 on the role of social enterprises with regards to community welfare living in poverty, but there is not enough research on the self-reliance of people living in poverty. In this study, I will try to discuss what we learn from each other in Japan and Korea in term of community welfare.