Caritas launches appeal to confront unemployment in Japan

Tokyo, Japan, Jun 1, 2009 / 10:07 am

Caritas Japan has launched an appeal entitled, “Emergency Contributions to Save Lives,” aimed at encouraging dioceses, parishes, associations and the faithful to contribute to a solidarity fund to help unemployed families.

According to the Fides news agency, the Japanese bishops’ Commission for Social Affairs has made an urgent appeal entitled “Save Lives,” in which they analyze the phenomenon and its negative effects on the entire Japanese society.

Fides reported that the fund, which has already reached $33,000, is being used to help families with basic needs and extraordinary costs, such as medical expenses.

Caritas has also created a job search office for those who are unemployed. The aid agency described its mission as “matching petitions with job offers as a means of mediation and, in many cases, guarantee of security.” According to official data, the number of people without work stands at 670,000 people more than last year, bringing the national total to 3.3 million.