山形県では、ひとり親家庭への支援が充実しており、移住者に対してもさまざまな支援が行われています。移住後5年間は県産米を毎年40キロ受け取ることができる他、賃貸補助や就労支援も提供されています。山形県知事である吉村美栄子知事は、自身もひとり親家庭として経験を持っており、その経験からこのような政策を打ち出しています。吉村知事は20年ぶりに仕事に復帰し、子育て支援政策に取り組んでいます。
Continuing from the previous episode, after moving, for the first 5 years, they received 40 kilograms of locally produced rice annually, and also received miso and soy sauce in the first year. Rental housing subsidies, employment support. This is Yamagata Prefecture’s unique “support for single-parent families.” I heard that this policy reflects the experience and thoughts of the current Yamagata Governor, Governor Yoshimura Mieko. What are the thoughts behind this?
4 types of childcare support for single-parent families
──Currently, Yamagata Prefecture is implementing a childcare support program called “Single Mom and Dad Welcome” for single-parent families in Yamagata Prefecture. Can you tell us more about this system?
Governor Yoshimura: This is a policy to support single-parent families returning to Yamagata Prefecture. Specifically, as part of food support, we present 40 kilograms of locally produced rice annually for the first 5 years after relocation (60 kilograms in the first year after relocation). We also provide miso and soy sauce. Food costs for growing children in single-parent families can be a burden. To ensure that children eat deliciously and grow healthy, we deliver delicious rice from Yamagata.
──I heard that housing support is also provided.
Governor Yoshimura: For rental housing, we provide a subsidy of 20,000 yen per month for up to 2 years after moving in, and 10,000 yen per month for up to 3 years after moving in.
Top-notch full-time employee rate, creating a comfortable workplace.
──Many people may be worried about finding work after moving to Japan.
Governor Yoshimura: In Yamagata Prefecture, we are working on increasing the number of female regular employees. As a result, Yamagata Prefecture has one of the highest rates of full-time female employment in the country. We also work with social insurance labor consultants to visit companies and address various challenges to create a flexible working environment. Furthermore, there is the Yamagata Prefecture Single Parent Family Support Center, where comprehensive consultations on childcare, life, employment, and more are available. They provide advice, information, and job support through training.
After losing her husband to illness and becoming a single mother…
──Support for single-parent families is very comprehensive. What motivates you to make these efforts?
Governor Yoshimura: In fact, when I was 45, I lost my husband to illness and have been raising my children as a single mother ever since. At that time, my eldest son was in college and living far away, but my second son was still in high school. At the request of my husband and mother-in-law, I had been a full-time homemaker all along. However, when I realized that I needed to support my family both mentally and financially as the head of the household, I decided to rejoin the workforce.
──It must have been challenging to find work after nearly 20 years of being out of the workforce.
Governor Yoshimura: Initially, I took on non-regular work for just 4 hours a day. I was in good health physically but the income was meager, especially during long weekends when the income would significantly decrease. This made me realize the need to create a work environment where mothers raising children can earn a stable income.
After that, I started working as a staff member at the Yamagata City Comprehensive Learning Center, but I had to quit the job after 2 years because my mother-in-law fell ill and asked me to stay at home.
──So, you started working outside but eventually had to return home.
Governor Yoshimura: That’s correct. However, when I returned home, my mother-in-law’s condition had improved, and I had some free time. So, I used the administrative scrivener license I had acquired in my youth to start a business at home. Later on, he ran for governor and is currently in that position.
Entrepreneurship utilizing the administrative scrivener license acquired after childbirth.
──When did you acquire the qualification of administrative scrivener?
Governor Yoshimura: I received it when my eldest daughter was born. She slept well, and my parents-in-law and sister-in-law helped with childcare, so I was very energetic. It is quite challenging to go out and play while raising children. At that time, I was interested in a title I saw in the newspaper, so I studied through correspondence courses and was able to acquire it. I had plenty of time thanks to the many adults around me who helped with childcare, but it might have been tough if I had to raise them all by myself.
──Your personal experience seems to have influenced your focus on childcare support and single-parent policies.
Governor Yoshimura: That’s right. In particular, single-parent households tend to have low incomes. If there are people struggling to raise children while living, I believe society should provide support. That’s why we launched the “Yamagata Single Parent Family Childcare Support Project.” Even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to provide support to single-parent families, such as distributing rice and sending catalog gifts like “Yamagata Gift.”
The experience of being a full-time homemaker for nearly 20 years has been reflected in the policy.
──You have been a full-time homemaker for almost 20 years, but did you still have the desire to work during that time?
Governor Yoshimura: I did want to work myself. However, I still had an interest in society, but I accepted the wishes of my husband and mother-in-law and became a full-time homemaker. Later, through various connections, I became the governor of Yamagata and got involved in administrative work. I think my experience as a full-time homemaker is helping to improve the lives of children and mothers as the governor.
(Editor’s Note)
Governor Yoshimura of Yamagata Prefecture has been focusing on childcare policies since his first term. He made a comeback to work after nearly 20 years. It is said that he had to bid farewell to his beloved family after taking on various positions and eventually becoming governor. For many people who understand the difficulties faced by single-parent families, this policy is considered to be helpful. In the upcoming third interview, we will provide specific details about Yamagata Prefecture’s childcare policies.
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Interview & Written by: Yuriko Mano Editor: Mikiko Ogino