Comparative Study on the Political Process of Childcare Policy: Japan and South Korea

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K13589
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 06010:Politics-related
• Research Institution: Komazawa University (2020-2022); Kyoto University (2019)
• Principal Investigator: CHOI GAYOUNG KAEI 駒澤大学, 法学部, 講師 (30816989)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 幼保無償化 / 少子化対策 / 家族主義福祉レジーム / 福祉国家

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The government of Japan and South Korea implemented free childcare or early education policy by framing it as an ‘economic policy’ and a ‘family policy’ respectively. This research analyzed political process of free childcare from the perspective of discursive institutionalism. In Japan, where power is dispersed, the government strongly appealed that free childcare, which benefits families with children, was actually an ‘economic policy’ that would revitalize the economy in order to persuade ruling party lawmakers who are ideologically conservative. Meanwhile, in South Korea, where power is more centralized, it is more important to mobilize the public’s support than to persuade political elites. As women and young people, who have significant political power in terms of number, were strong supporters of the progressive party which pledged universal welfare, free childcare was framed as a ‘family policy’ which benefits those people.

Free Research Field

政治学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、少子化対策の一環として幼保無償化が実現した日本と韓国において、同政策の位置づけと対象に大きな差が見られるのは、日韓両国の異なる政治制度に起因することを明らかにしている。「制度がアクターの戦略を規定する」という新制度論の命題を実証したという点を本研究の学術的意義として指摘したい。また、深刻さを増している少子化問題に悩まされている先進諸国が、今後少子化政策を拡充していくためには、それぞれの政治制度の持つ特徴を踏まえて、どのアクターからの支持が鍵となるのか、また、彼らから支持を動員するためにはどのようなアイディアを採用する必要があるのかに関する手がかりを提供するという社会的意義を持つ。