The development of social welfare institutions in East Asia: Case studies of Japan, Korea, and the People\u27s Republic of China, 1945-1989

Social welfare services appear everywhere in the world. Countries differ, however, in the way in which social welfare has emerged to handle social problems. This study examined the process of development of social welfare institutions in Japan, Korea, and the People\u27s Republic of China. As a research methodology, both quantitative longitudinal research method and qualitative case studies were used. The results of empirical study concerning the role of industrialization economic development presented a counter-argument to the notion of automatically positive correlations between economic growth and industrialization, and social welfare development. Most of the evidence suggested that the levels of industrialization and economic development were necessary but not an immediate determinant of social welfare institution development in East Asian countries. Strong kinship network and filial piety have made family status quite stable during the periods of rapid industrialization and economic development in East Asian countries. The effect of this culture for the development of social welfare institutions in East Asian countries was to postpone the enactment of social welfare legislation dealing with social problems such as the aged and industrial risks. It was also found that the level of development of social welfare institutions in Japan and Korea is low because conservative parties in the two countries wield strong influence in national socio-political scenario