I'm definitely far from knowledgeable on the Japanese welfare system (though that article is from 1996) but at least health care and education seem really cheap (and mandatory). As for the livelihood assistance part of welfare, it seems mostly old people make use of it (since unemployment is so low 2.8% in Japan) - which would link to what glandium said in another post: increase in theft by elders.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2016/06/16/editorials/s...