🧸 Childcare for All Children, Nationwide

❓ What is changing?

Until now, using a nursery in Japan generally required a reason such as both parents working. Under the new system, any child aged 6 months to under 3 who is not already enrolled can use childcare on an hourly basis, regardless of whether the parents work. After trials from FY2024 and formal establishment in FY2025, it starts nationwide in FY2026 as a new childcare benefit. Use is capped at about 10 hours per month, at roughly ¥300 per hour, with reductions for low-income and welfare households.

👥 Who is eligible?

• ●Children aged 6 months to under 3 not yet enrolled in nursery or kindergarten
• ●All households regardless of work status — not working, job-hunting, or raising children at home
• ●Parents wanting a break, or wanting their child to experience group settings
• ●Low-income and welfare households qualify for fee reductions

🌏 Impact on foreign residents

For foreign families raising infants in Japan, this is a valuable option to use childcare even without a job. Children can get early exposure to Japanese and group life, while parents gain time for appointments, paperwork, or rest. There is generally no restriction based on residence status or nationality. Procedures differ by municipality, so check in advance whether your city offers multilingual or plain-Japanese guidance.