According to the Japanese political scientist Keiichi Matsushita, the “civil minimum” is a minimum standard of living in urban society that should be ensured by municipalities. It comprises social security, social overhead capital, and public health. Civil minimum is based on the right to life and should be considered as the postulate of urban policies, decided through democratic procedures including citizen participation, and indicated by numerical goals. It may vary from municipality to municipality but it should exceed the “national minimum.”