Professor Namie Nagamatsu (School of Sociology) presented her research on the awareness and utilisation of support systems for those in need in Japanese municipalities at the Social Policy Association and East Asian Social Policy Research Network – Joint

Professor Namie Nagamatsu (School of Sociology, Kwansei Gakuin University) gave a presentation titled “Awareness and Utilisation of Support Systems for Those in Need: Based on a Citizen Survey in a Japanese Municipality” at the Social Policy Association and East Asian Social Policy Research Network – Joint Annual Conference, held at the University of York, United Kingdom, from 2 to 4 July 2025.

The conference brought together approximately 400 researchers from across Europe and Asia for presentations and discussions. Professor Nagamatsu’s study analysed citizens’ awareness and use of Japan’s Self-Reliance Support for Needy Persons Programme, identifying key challenges for improving public understanding and accessibility of support systems.

Through active exchanges with international scholars at the University of York, this presentation also provided a valuable opportunity to advance comparative research on social policy in East Asia.