Newborn care, child allowance, and the first years of life in Japan.
English guide to Japanese baby products — diapers, formula, baby food, and newborn essentials for international families in Japan.
June 9, 2020 · Updated: May 17, 2026
HealthSleeping alongside your baby is ordinary here, and the advice you were given at home may have been firmer. Japan's guidance sets out what raises the risk, then says in writing that it is not prohibiting anything — and links to the American and British positions that disagree with each other. What the guidance actually says, what changed in December 2025, and what nurseries do at naptime.
August 5, 2026
HealthThe nursery calls off the pool on a morning that looks fine to you, and a word you have never seen appears in the forecast. Japan runs its summer on a heat index rather than a temperature, with national alerts issued the evening before. What the words mean, what gets called off, and why most nurseries expect sunscreen to be applied at home.
July 31, 2026
HealthTwo checkups are required by law, and nearly every family in Japan attends them. How the invitation reaches you without applying, the blocks and pointing tests, the vision test you do at home, what follow-up observation actually means — and how to explain a bilingual child to staff counting words in Japanese.
July 29, 2026
NewbornWeaning in Japan follows a national guide, four named stages, and a first spoonful of very thin rice porridge. When to start, what to offer, why allergens should not be delayed, and the daycare food-check list that decides what your child is served.
July 26, 2026
BenefitsA NICU stay produces a bill that can look impossible. Japan's 養育医療 benefit exists for exactly that situation, covering the treatment costs for babies born early or needing hospital care after birth — and in most cases the family pays little or nothing. Here's who qualifies, what it covers, and how to apply.
June 27, 2026
NewbornFrom the naming ceremony on day 7 to the first birthday rice cake, Japan marks a baby's first year with a rich set of traditions. This guide explains each celebration — お七夜, お宮参り, お食い初め, 初節句, and more — so you know what to expect and how to take part.
June 19, 2026
HealthHand, Foot and Mouth Disease (手足口病) is one of the most common summer illnesses in Japan, spreading quickly through hoikuen and yochien. This guide covers symptoms, how it spreads, when to worry, and when your child can go back to daycare.
June 15, 2026
ShoppingTwo store chains cover most of what you need as a new parent in Japan: Akachan Honpo and Nishimatsuya. This guide explains what each sells, how they differ, and which to head to first.
June 14, 2026
EssentialsBabies cannot blow their own nose — and in Japan, a nasal aspirator (鼻水吸引器) is considered a basic baby essential. This guide covers the three main types available in Japanese shops, how to use one safely, and where to buy.
June 13, 2026
BenefitsJapan's マル乳 system covers the insurance copayment for children's medical visits from birth through elementary school entry — and international residents are eligible if they hold a residence card.
June 13, 2026
HealthWhen a cough or runny nose needs prompt attention, and how to care for your child at home — including the nasal aspirator and humidifier tips used across Japan.
June 13, 2026
HealthWarning signs to watch for, dehydration risks, what to give and avoid, and how to find a doctor — all based on Japan's official pediatric sources.
June 12, 2026
HealthWhat counts as a fever in Japan, which warning signs need urgent attention, and how to find a doctor outside regular clinic hours — all drawn from Japan's official pediatric sources.
June 12, 2026
HealthChoking, burns, falls, swallowed objects — what to do in the first moments when your baby or toddler has an accident in Japan, with first response steps based on こども家庭庁 guidance.
June 12, 2026
HealthThe official resources every parent needs when their baby is unwell in Japan — the こどもの救急 online guide, the #8000 phone line, the 中毒110番 ingestion hotline, and tips for non-Japanese speakers.
June 12, 2026
HealthFree health checkups for babies and toddlers in Japan — the full schedule from 1 month to 5 years, what is checked at each age, what to bring, and tips for international families.
June 9, 2026
NewbornUnderstand why your newborn is crying — hunger, dirty diaper, tiredness, temperature, or comfort — plus the Week 3 and 3-month fussy periods, and how to soothe your baby.
June 9, 2026
NewbornHow to breastfeed your newborn in Japan — getting a good latch, best nursing positions, how much to feed by age, and how to burp your baby.
May 17, 2026
NewbornFormula feeding in Japan — how to prepare powdered formula safely, sterilize bottles, choose the right teat size, and how much to feed your baby by age.
May 17, 2026
Newborn65% of new mothers in Japan experience breastfeeding difficulties. Covers 7 common problems — low supply, engorgement, cracked nipples, and more — with solutions.
May 17, 2026
BenefitsJapan'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.
June 9, 2020 · Updated: June 8, 2026
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