Those Who Are Not Protected - Chapter 1: Episode 4.2

As he listened to the explanation, Tashino studied the six forms carefully. The documents were filled with unemotional bureaucratic language and detailed listings of assets and income. For someone unfamiliar with the process, just glancing at them could make one hesitant to apply.

“To an outsider, the standards seem pretty strict.”

“That’s because public assistance is meant to be the last safety net. It sounds harsh, but the idea is to encourage people to do their best not to rely on it if they have even a little ability.”

Then he sighed; his expression was tinged with sadness.

“Though this may not be the main reason, in reality, it’s often the people who truly need public assistance that can’t get it, while those who don’t need it are the ones receiving it.”

“You’re referring to fraudulent claims, right?”

“Organized crime involvement is the obvious one, but actually, the majority of cases fall under broader improper claims. Things like, ‘Why suffer working for low wages when I can live more comfortably on public assistance without working?’ Or people receiving aid while working under the table. It’s unpleasant to say, but there are definitely those taking advantage of the system. At the same time, there are others who are really in such dire need that they can barely survive, but they hesitate to apply out of shame or because they don’t want to trouble others.”

Maruyama shook his head and looked clearly troubled.

“I just feel like both types misunderstand what public assistance is, and the general public’s impression isn’t necessarily correct either. Did you know that public assistance is grounded in the Constitution, Officer?”

“Sorry, I wasn’t aware of that…”

“Article 25 of the Constitution states that the people have the right to maintain the minimum standards of wholesome and cultured living. The State must strive to promote and improve social welfare, social security, and public health in all aspects of life… Public assistance is a system based on this principle, ensuring that citizens can maintain a minimum standard of living and work towards self-reliance. It’s not meant to make people too afraid to apply just because they can’t pay for utilities, nor is it for those capable of working to exploit for their own benefit.”

In that moment, the still-youthful Maruyama revealed the true nature of a sincere public servant. Tashino, who had come to question him, suddenly felt like he was the one being lectured and tensed up slightly.

“Because public assistance comes from taxpayers’ hard-earned money, its use and approval must be handled with the utmost care. To make sure the people who truly need help receive the necessary amount, we must not approve applications lightly—even if we get verbally abused at the counter… That’s what Section Chief Mikumo taught me.”

“Your office’s sense of duty is truly admirable. But to carry out this policy, the system has to function ideally. I can’t help but feel that people who try to exploit it would end up resenting someone like Chief Mikumo.”

“You mean someone might have held a grudge against him? But the applicants only ever interact with us. They don’t know anything about Chief Mikumo.”

At that moment, an angry shout erupted from outside the room.

“Get your supervisor out here! I’ve had enough of your damn attitude!”

From the tone of voice, it was clearly a serious situation. Tashino and Hasuda paused their questioning and hurried towards the source of the noise.

As soon as they reached the office area, the cause of the commotion became clear. A man in his sixties was standing across the counter and confronting a male staff member.

The staff member, named Zemi, was the last person to have seen Mikumo. The man across from him, a short fellow in his sixties with only a patch of white hair remaining, had bloodshot eyes glaring directly at Zemi.

“You’ve been spewing crap this whole time! I’m just trying to apply for public assistance and you’re giving me an attitude!”

“But, Mr. Kazawa, since you have enough energy to yell and scream like this, don’t you think you’re capable of working?”

“I go to the job center every day. But no company wants to hire someone over sixty! You government people should know that best!”

“I don’t know. That’s a different department. We can’t speak for them. All we can say is that since you’re not ill or disabled, please continue looking for work.”

“I’ve tried and tried and still can’t find anything! Why the hell would I come here if I didn’t need help? You think this is some kind of amusement park?!”

“Maybe you’re being too picky about jobs, Mr. Kazawa. If you weren’t so selective, there should still be places in need of workers. I’ve heard that due to the reconstruction efforts, construction sites are paying well.”

“Those good-paying jobs were snapped up by the younger guys ages ago!”

“Still, I often see people your age diligently cleaning at stations.”

“You bastard, so you’re saying I just don’t want to work, huh?!”

“I didn’t say that. What I’m saying is, if someone else is more eager to work than you are, we have to prioritize them. If you absolutely refuse to work, please rely on your relatives.”

“At my age, what relatives do I have left?! I told you this already!”

“Yes, you did mention it. Your younger brother lives in the same prefecture but is estranged from you. Still, if your situation is that desperate, shouldn’t you swallow your pride and ask him for help? Refusing to humble yourself before your own sibling and instead asking the government for help—that’s putting the cart before the horse. Public assistance isn’t something to be used so casually.”

“R-Really? Just whatever?”

Mr. Tazawa’s face quickly turned red.

“Do you think it’s easy for me to come here?”

“I think it’s at least easier than going to your younger brother’s house.”

“We stopped talking because we fought over our father’s inheritance. Our brotherly relationship ended back then. How can I shamelessly go to him now?”

Zemi leant back and looked at Mr. Kazawa with a cold and mocking face.

“That’s exactly the problem. You care too much about pride and saving your face. But pride and face can’t be eaten. If you’re not ashamed to talk about your family problems here, why are you so scared to face your brother? The Welfare Office looks at real situations to decide if someone can get public aid. We can’t just go by our feelings. Please don’t rely too much on the government.”

“Before I quit my job, I gave my wife and kids food and clothes. I-I even had a title when I worked.”

“So what? Of course people work, and when they work long enough, they get a title. But what is pride good for? You can’t eat your pride. Before asking for public aid, shouldn’t you throw away your pride first?”

Zemi’s tone didn’t sound like he was giving advice anymore. He clearly looked down on Mr. Kazawa.

“There are many applicants like you. No motivation, but pride is three times bigger than the others’. If that’s the case, then try to live on your pride…”

Kazawa couldn’t take it anymore. Before Zemi finished, he rushed at him, but just in time, Hasuda grabbed him from behind and held him back.

“Let me go! I said, let me go!”

Hasuda held Mr. Kazawa and led him outside. Kazawa was still very angry, but since he didn’t actually hit Zemi, nothing serious happened, and he wouldn’t be charged.

“I’m sorry. That was embarrassing.”

Maruyama, who had just been interviewed earlier, looked very nervous. It was no surprise. He had just been talking seriously about how strict public aid should be, and then something like this happened.

So, Tashino couldn’t help but ask a bit of a teasing question.

“I understand that deciding if someone can get public aid needs to be strict. But do you really have to ask such personal questions?”

“I think no one likes others getting involved in their money or personal thoughts.”

Maruyama answered in a defensive tone:

“I’m not trying to take Zemi’s side, but we can’t visit every single applicant in person. All we have are the papers they give us and what they tell us. We have to decide based on that.”

So, if they don’t ask personal or even offensive questions, they can’t really see the real situation. Tashino understood Maruyama’s point, but looking at someone who was clearly at their limit both mentally and physically and still had to be pushed further at the Welfare Office… it just didn’t feel right.

“People who can’t even pay water and electricity bills are probably too scared to ask for help because they don’t want others digging into their private life.”

“There are people who talk a lot about privacy. But those who really need help are often willing to talk about their hard times. Honestly, these people are more likely to get approved.”

“Isn’t that becoming kind of a rule already? I feel like most applicants get scared off by these harsh questions before they can even submit the form.”

“At least, I don’t do that.”

When Maruyama strongly said “I,” it showed he felt guilty. In other words, what just happened earlier wasn’t rare. It was something that happened often.