[영문]This paper compares recent efforts to reduce lone mothers’ reliance on cashassistance and support their increased participation in the workforce andeconomic independence in Japan and the United States. Similar to reformsintroduced in the U.S. in 1996, lone mother policies in Japan have beensubject to a series of cuts leading to the introduction of time limits andwork-related programs in 2002. In this paper, we examine the characterof recent welfare reforms in both countries and their implications for lonemothers’ welfare and economic independence. Based on Japan’s experienceand recent lessons from the U.S., we show the limitations of a focus oncaseload reduction and work participation rates, and instead highlight theimportance of addressing lone mothers’ low wages in form of policies forthe working poor.