How to apply for gov't subsidies in Japan for housing, healthcare and childcare
With prices on the rise, everyone could use a little extra financial help. GaijinPot can help you save cash by showing you birthday freebies or even finding better work on GaijinPot Jobs—but we can't hand you cash. Thankfully, there are a ton of government subsidies in Japan offering real financial support for housing, childcare, healthcare, and more.
Luckily, whether you're moving to another prefecture, planning on starting a family or just lost your job, the Japanese government provides subsidies to ease your financial burden.
We've compiled a list of government subsidies offered nationwide, but the benefits don't stop there as prefectures and even cities can provide their own additional financial aid. For example, while Fukuoka City now completely subsidizes elementary school lunches, Kitakyushu City, also located in the prefecture, does not. Also, many subsidies vary depending on where you live, so be sure to look around locally.
Living and Housing Subsidies
Dreaming of moving to the countryside?
With housing costs taking up as much as 30% of your monthly salary and moving to Japan being expensive, it helps to have some financial help when you need it.
Housing Security Benefit
Individuals who have become unemployed or are facing a decrease in their monthly income may be eligible for a Housing Security Benefit (住居確保給付金, jyuukyo kakuho kyufukin) to cover part of their housing costs. Subsidies are paid directly to the landlord and can be renewed every three months for a maximum of nine months.
Benefits
The amount of financial support you can receive varies across Japan. Also, it depends on how many people are living within a household and your recent household income. For example, here are the highest monthly subsidies available for people living in Tokyo's Minato Ward:
Single-person household : ¥69,800
: ¥69,800 Two-person household : ¥75,000
: ¥75,000 Three-person household : ¥81,000
: ¥81,000 Four-person household: ¥86,000
For more information
Visit your local municipal office to inquire about rental subsidies. There are many documents you may need to present, including (but not limited to):
Official pieces of identification, such as your My Number Card and Residence Card.
Proof you have been terminated from your previous job or that your business has closed.
Official documents stating a required leave of absence.
A copy of your housing contract.
Copies of utility bills.
Moving to the countryside
The government subsidizes relocation to less-populated prefectures in an effort to slow Tokyo's population growth. This is part of a broader strategy to counter Tokyo's overpopulation and support regional revival.
If you're considering relocating, check local municipal programs and support services like the Hometown Return Support Center for eligibility specifics and application details.
Benefits
It depends on how many people are relocating. If you are single, you are eligible to receive ¥600,000, while a household can get up to ¥1,000,000. If you have children under the age of 18, they may also receive ¥1,000,000 each.
For more information
Running for over 20 years, Hometown Return Support Center (ふるさと回帰支援センター, Furusato Kaiki Shien Sentaa) is the most popular non-profit organization that collaborates with local governments to bring new residents to places outside the big cities.
To qualify, you must start an application with Hometown Return Support Center or another government-recognized group offering similar services. Additional requirements may include:
Finding a job before moving
Working remotely with your current job (if applicable)
Starting your own business
Family and Childcare Subsidies
Japan's government is begging you to have children.
Raising a family is expensive, from clothing and food to education and health care. The Japanese government offers several subsidies to parents, partly in hopes of improving the country's falling birthrate.
Child allowance
The child allowance (児童手当, jido teate) is an allowance available for families with at least one child under the age of 19.
Benefits
Payments are on every even-numbered month. The subsidy amount depends on the age of your children and how many you have.
For more information
Visit your local municipal office or apply online via the Benefits section of the My Number Portal (scroll down to 児童手当に関する申請 to apply for the child allowance).
Lump-sum Allowance for Childbirth
Expectant mothers enrolled in the National Health Insurance Plan are eligible to receive the Lump-sum Allowance for Childbirth (出産一時金, Shussan ichiji kin), a one-time subsidy to cover all or most of the costs of childbirth.
Benefits
The subsidy is ¥500,000. According to a 2023 study by the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare, the cost of giving birth in Japan ranges from around ¥350,000 to over ¥600,000. The exact amount depends on the prefecture, the type of birthing facility, and the kind of delivery. The government usually pays the subsidy directly to the facility where you give birth.
For more information
In most cases, you can apply directly through your birthing facility.
Single-parent support
The Japanese government provides several support programs for single-parent households that cover everything from housing to education.
Benefits
The main subsidy is the Child Support Allowance (児童扶養手当, jido fuyo teate), which offers financial assistance for raising children until March 31st after they turn 18. The amount depends on the parents' income. It can be up to nearly ¥50,000 per month for the first child, and around ¥10,000 or less for each additional child. Payments are deposited every even-numbered month.
For more information
Visit your local municipal office and apply.
Healthcare Subsidies
Click here to read more.
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