👶 Childcare & Parenting Support Guide for Foreign Residents in Japan
Information on childcare services, child allowance, nursery enrollment, and parenting support available to foreign families in Japan.
Quick Answer
Foreign residents with children in Japan can access child allowance (jido teate) of 10,000-15,000 yen per child per month, subsidized nursery care, free education from age 3, and various municipal parenting support services. Apply at your local city hall.
Child Allowance (児童手当 / Jido Teate)
Quick Answer
Child allowance pays 10,000-15,000 yen per child per month to all registered residents with children under 18. Apply at your city hall within 15 days of birth or moving in.
Child allowance (児童手当) is a monthly payment to support families raising children. All residents — including foreign nationals — with a registered address are eligible.
| Age Group | Monthly Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under 3 | 15,000 yen | All children |
| Age 3 to Middle School | 10,000 yen | 1st and 2nd child |
| Age 3-12 (3rd+ child) | 15,000 yen | Third or subsequent children |
⚠️ Deadline
Apply within 15 days of your child's birth or moving to a new municipality. Payments are made three times per year (February, June, October). Late applications may result in missed payment periods.
Nursery & Daycare (保育園 / Hoikuen)
Quick Answer
Nurseries accept children from 0-5 years old. Application is through your city hall, typically in October-December for April enrollment. Fees are based on household income.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 👶 Ages | 0-5 years old |
| 💰 Fees | Free to ~50,000 yen/month (income-based) |
| 📅 Application | October-December for April enrollment |
| 📋 Requirement | Both parents working, job-seeking, or studying |
🏫 Licensed (認可保育園)
Municipal; income-based fees; highest priority
🏠 Small-Scale (小規模保育)
For ages 0-2; smaller groups; easier availability
🏢 Company-Sponsored (企業主導型)
Run by companies; may have openings
Read more on this topic
Free Insurance Consultation
Free Insurance Consultation →School Enrollment for Foreign Children
🏫 Public Schools
- • Free tuition for elementary and junior high
- • Contact Board of Education (教育委員会) to enroll
- • Japanese language support classes available
- • Weekend mother tongue classes in some areas
🌍 International Schools
- • Available in major cities
- • Tuition: 1-2 million yen/year
- • Curriculum in English or other languages
- • Smaller class sizes typically
💡 Note
Children of foreign residents are not legally required to attend Japanese schools, but they are welcome to enroll. Many municipalities actively support foreign families with language assistance and cultural integration programs.
Maternal Health & Birth Registration
Receive Mother-Child Health Handbook (母子健康手帳) and 14 prenatal checkup vouchers
14 checkups subsidized through municipal vouchers
出産育児一時金 paid directly to the hospital through your health insurance
出生届 — within 14 days at your city hall
Check Required Procedures
Check Required Procedures →Vaccination Schedule
Tuberculosis vaccine
Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus
Two doses required
Plus pneumococcal and Japanese encephalitis
All routine vaccinations are free through the national immunization program. Notices are sent by your municipality based on your child's age. Bring the Mother-Child Health Handbook and health insurance card to designated medical institutions.
⚠️ Note
Some vaccinations from your home country may differ from the Japanese schedule. Consult your pediatrician to create a coordinated vaccination plan.
Steps
- 1
Register your child at city hall
Submit the birth notification within 14 days. Complete resident registration and receive My Number.
- 2
Apply for child allowance
Submit the application within 15 days of birth at the childcare counter. Bring residence card, bank account info, and My Number.
- 3
Get the Mother-Child Health Handbook
Visit city hall when pregnant to receive the handbook and prenatal checkup vouchers.
- 4
Apply for nursery/daycare
Research options and apply through city hall during the enrollment period (typically October-December).
- 5
Schedule vaccinations
Follow the vaccination schedule in your Mother-Child Health Handbook. Visit designated medical institutions.
FAQ
Can foreign residents receive child allowance?
How do I enroll my child in a Japanese public school?
What is the childbirth lump-sum grant?
Are vaccinations mandatory for children in Japan?
Free Insurance Consultation
Free Insurance Consultation →Detailed Childcare Support Guides
Dive deeper into specific topics with our detailed guides.
Enrolling Your Child in Japanese Schools: Complete Guide for Foreign Parents
Guide for foreign parents enrolling children in Japanese schools. Public, private, international options, Japanese language support, and costs.
Finding English-Speaking Pediatricians in Japan
How to find English-speaking pediatricians in Japan. Covers the Japanese pediatric system (小児科), multilingual medical resources (AMDA, JNTO), major international hospitals with pediatric departments, what to bring, vaccination differences, and what to do in a nighttime emergency.
How to Enroll Your Child in Nursery School (保育園) in Japan
Complete guide to enrolling your child in Japanese nursery school (hoikuen). Covers types of nursery schools, application timeline, point system, required documents, costs, and the free childcare program for ages 3-5.
Related Procedures
Childcare Support — Prefectures
Find childcare support information specific to your area: