Childcare Allowance
Childcare Allowance (児童手当, jidou teate) is payable to eligible individuals resident in Japan raising children aged 0 to 18 (up until the first March 31 after turning 18). The system was revised in October 2024.
Eligibility
People who are resident in Japan and raising children from 0 years old until the age of finishing high school (the first March 31 after becoming 18 years old) are eligible to receive Childcare Allowance (児童手当, jidou teate).
Children living abroad (except those studying abroad) are not covered by the system. Children who live abroad because they are studying overseas may be eligible, provided:
- The child had an address in Japan continuously for 3 years up to the day before they no longer had an address in Japan.
- Less than 3 years have passed since the day the child no longer had an address in Japan
- The purpose for living abroad is to receive an education, and the child does not live with together with their parents (or the child’s guardian, if the child is under guardianship)
Allowance amount
The amount of the allowance paid per child is as below:
| Age of Child | Amount of allowance per month |
| Under 3 | ¥15,000 (first and second child)
¥30,000 (third and subsequent children) |
| 3 - 18 (up to the first March 31st after becoming 18 years old) | ¥10,000 (first and second child)
¥30,000 (third and subsequent children) |
Payment schedule
Payments will be made six times a year (February, April, June, August, October and December).
The payments will ordinarily begin for the month after the month of application. However, if an eligible child is born or transfers his/her registered address near the end of the month and an application is made within 15 days of the event, then the first payment will be made from the month of application.
Annual assessment
A form will be sent each June to assess eligibility for the allowance.
Summary of October 2024 changes
| September 2024 | October 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Income limit for recipients? | Yes
(Those above the income limit received a 'special allowance' at a flat rate of ¥5,000 per child instead of the ordinary allowance.) |
No |
| Age range | 0 - 15
(Upper age limit is first 31 March after turning 15, ie completion of junior high school in principle) |
0 - 18
(Upper age limit is first 31 March after turning 18, ie completion of high school in principle) |
| Amount of allowance | [Zero if income threshold is exceeded; instead a 'special allowance' applied]
Under 3: ¥15,000 (all children) 3 - end of elementary school: ¥10,000 (first /second child); ¥15,000 (third and subsequent children) 12 - 15 (junior high school): ¥10,000 (all children) |
Under 3: ¥15,000 (first / second child);
¥30,000 (third and subsequent children) 3+: ¥10,000 (first / second child); ¥30,000 (third and subsequent children) |
| Payment schedule | Three times a year
(February, June, October) |
Six times a year
(February, April, June, August, October, December) |
| Conditions for 'third and subsequent children’ to apply | Household is already financially responsible for 2 or more children aged 18 or below (including the fiscal year in which a child turns 18) and a younger child (or children) falls within the scope of the allowance | Household is financially responsible for 2 or more children aged 22 or below (including the fiscal year in which a child turns 22) and a younger child (or children) falls within the scope of the allowance |