Abstract: The welfare state has three meanings: welfare state as national goal, welfare state as provider and welfare state as regulator. They are differently corresponding with welfare policy, redistributive regime and regulatory structure. In terms of the welfare policy, Japan has a strong state bureaucracy and a weak social democracy. In terms of redistributive regime, Japan has characteristics which the social expenditure is relatively low and the expenditure for public works is high. In terms of regulatory structure, Japan has weak social regulation and strong economic regulation.