Jidō Teate (児童手当) — universal child benefit

Benefit paid by municipalities under the Ministry of Health (October 2024 reform):

• 0–3: JPY 15,000/month (≈ €92)
• 3 to end of junior high (15): JPY 10,000/month (1st and 2nd child)
• 3rd child and beyond: JPY 30,000/month until end of high school (18)
• 3 to 18 (1st and 2nd child): JPY 10,000/month — extended in 2024 (was 15)
• Income cap removed in October 2024 (was JPY 9.6M/year)
• Quarterly bank-transfer payment

Shussan Ikuji Ichijikin (出産育児一時金) — birth grant

Birth lump sum paid by health insurance funds:

• JPY 500,000 (≈ €3,060) per birth since April 2023 (reform — was JPY 420,000)
• Direct payment to the maternity (chokusetsu shiharai system)
• Covers almost all delivery costs (~JPY 450,000–550,000 on average)
• Includes multiple births (×number of children)

Ikuji Kyūgyō Kyūfukin (育児休業給付金) — parental leave

Parental leave benefit paid by Hello Work (employment insurance):

• First 180 days: 67% of average salary (max ~JPY 310,000/month)
• Beyond: 50% of average salary (max ~JPY 230,000/month)
• Maximum duration: until child turns 1 (extension to 2 if no nursery place)
• Sanga System (since 2022): father can take 4 flexible weeks at 80% of salary within 8 weeks of birth
• 2025 reform: shared “Iku-kyu” parental leave encouraged between both parents

Shussan Teate-kin (出産手当金) — maternity benefit

Maternity leave benefit paid by health insurance:

• 14 weeks (6 before + 8 after birth) at 67% of salary
• Paid by Kenkō Hoken (health insurance)
• Stackable with Ikuji Kyūgyō Kyūfukin after birth

Hoikuen (保育園) — subsidised nurseries

Public nurseries for 0–6, income-based fees (band scale):

• Tokyo: JPY 0 to ~70,000/month by income
• Mu-shōka (無償化): kindergarten (3–5) free in public sector since October 2019
• 50% reduction for 2nd child in nursery
• Free for 3rd child
• Reform target: cut “taikiji” waiting lists (still ~3,000 children in 2024)

Jidō Fuyō Teate (児童扶養手当) — single-parent allowance

Targeted allowance for single-parent families:

• ~JPY 45,500/month for 1 child (max)
• +JPY 10,750 for 2nd child
• +JPY 6,450 per additional child
• Income cap: varies by number of children
• Paid until 18 (20 if disabled)

Tokuten Tax — tax deductions

Income tax (Shotokuzei) deductions:

• Spouse deduction: up to JPY 380,000/year
• Per child aged 16–18: JPY 380,000/year
• Per child aged 19–22 (student): JPY 630,000/year
• Note: per-child deduction for under 16 removed in 2010 (offset by extended Jidō Teate)

Official sources

• Ministry of Health — Jidō Teate
• Hello Work — Ikuji Kyūgyō
• Kodomo Katei-chō (Children and Families Agency)