Written and reviewed by Susumu
Born and raised in Japan · Checked against Japanese law and ministry guidance
Japan's Child Allowance (Jidou Teate) covers families through high school — no income limit, up to ¥30,000/month for a third child. How to apply.
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📌 Note: This article reflects the reformed Child Allowance system effective October 2024. Always confirm the latest details with your local city hall, as procedures may vary by municipality.
What Is the Child Allowance?
If you have a baby in Japan, one of the first things worth doing is applying for the Child Allowance — 児童手当 (jidou teate). It's a monthly cash payment from the government, and most families in Japan qualify for it regardless of nationality.
The system was significantly overhauled in October 2024. The age limit was raised from middle school to high school, income restrictions were removed entirely, and the amount for third children was doubled. If you've read older guides about this benefit, some of that information is now out of date.
For the official details, the Agency for Children and Families (こども家庭庁) has a dedicated page at cfa.go.jp.
How Much Can You Receive?
The amount depends on your child's age and how many children you have. Here's how it breaks down:
| Child's age | 1st & 2nd child | 3rd child and beyond |
|---|---|---|
| Under 3 years old | ¥15,000 / month | ¥30,000 / month |
| Age 3 – end of high school | ¥10,000 / month | ¥30,000 / month |
One catch with the third-child count: once your eldest child reaches the end of the fiscal year in which they turn 22, they no longer count toward the total. This means your third child could effectively become your second child for allowance purposes — and the higher ¥30,000 rate would no longer apply.
Who Is Eligible?
You can receive the allowance if you are raising children up to the end of high school age (up to March 31 after the child's 18th birthday), are registered as a resident in Japan, and are not already receiving a higher child benefit from another country.
The payment goes to the primary breadwinner of the household (生計中心者 — せいけいちゅうしんしゃ), which is typically whoever earns more. There is no income limit — since October 2024, every eligible family receives the full amount.
How to Apply
The process is straightforward, and you can often handle everything in a single visit to city hall — on the same day you submit your baby's birth registration.
While you're still pregnant
Check your city hall's website ahead of time to see which documents you'll need to bring and which counter to go to.
After birth — submit the birth registration (出生届)
You have 14 days from the birth to submit this. Most people go to city hall within the first week or two.
Apply for the Child Allowance at the same visit
Ask for the Child Allowance application (児童手当認定請求書) at the child services counter. Some cities also allow online applications.
Payments start the following month
Once approved, payments are deposited every two months directly into your bank account.
What to bring
- My Number Card (マイナンバーカード) for both you and your spouse — or your notification card (通知カード) and photo ID if you don't have one yet
- Your bank account details — payments go into the primary applicant's account
- Your health insurance card or certificate of insurance (if applicable)
- A personal seal (印鑑 — いんかん) — not always required, but worth bringing just in case
- Your Maternal and Child Health Handbook (母子健康手帳 — if requested)
Government employees (公務員): You don't apply at city hall — instead, apply through your employer's mutual aid association (共済組合) at your workplace.
When Is It Paid?
Payments are made six times a year, every two months, in even-numbered months. Each payment covers the two months prior, and is usually deposited around the 10th of the month.
| Payment month | Covers |
|---|---|
| February | December – January |
| April | February – March |
| June | April – May |
| August | June – July |
| October | August – September |
| December | October – November |
Important Notes
⚠️ Apply within 15 days — payments do not backdate.
The allowance starts from the month after you apply, not from the birth. If you delay, you simply lose those months. There is no way to claim them retroactively.
Born in the second half of the month? Check the 15-day special rule.
If your baby arrives late in the month, applying within the same calendar month can be difficult. Japan has a rule for this: if you apply within 15 days of the birth and are approved, your application counts as if it was submitted in the birth month — so you don't lose that first month's payment.
Annual renewal (現況届):
Since June 2022, most families no longer need to submit an annual renewal form. However, your city hall will notify you if a renewal form (現況届 — げんきょうとどけ) is required in your case. If notified, make sure to submit it — missing it will stop your payments.
📖 Japanese Vocabulary
Useful terms when visiting city hall to apply for the Child Allowance.
| 日本語 | ひらがな | English |
|---|---|---|
| 児童手当 | じどうてあて | Child Allowance |
| 認定請求書 | にんていせいきゅうしょ | Application form |
| 生計中心者 | せいけいちゅうしんしゃ | Primary breadwinner |
| 現況届 | げんきょうとどけ | Annual renewal form |
| マイナンバーカード | まいなんばーかーど | My Number Card |
| 印鑑 | いんかん | Personal seal |
| 子育て支援課 | こそだてしえんか | Child-rearing support division (city hall) |
| 共済組合 | きょうさいくみあい | Mutual aid association (for government employees) |