Having and Raising Kids in Japan: Complete Guide for Foreign Residents

Having and Raising Kids in Japan: Complete Guide for Foreign Residents

Japan has a well-developed system of support for families with children. The challenge for foreign residents is that much of this system is administered at the municipal level, in Japanese, and often without English-language guidance.

This guide covers the key stages: having a baby, registering the birth, applying for financial support, finding daycare, and enrolling in school. Most of these steps are available to all foreign residents regardless of nationality or visa type, as long as you are registered at your local municipal office.

This is practical life information. For medical decisions, consult a doctor. For visa and legal questions, consult a qualified professional.

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Before Birth: Maternity Notebook (母子手帳, Boshi Techō)

As soon as your pregnancy is confirmed (typically around week 8–12), register with your local ward or city office. You will receive a 母子手帳 (Maternal and Child Health Handbook) — a booklet used to track the pregnancy, birth, and the child's health records through school age.

This notebook is required for:

• Prenatal checkups at subsidized cost
• Birth registration
• Baby checkups and vaccinations
• School enrollment

How to get it: Visit your municipal office (区役所/市役所) and bring your residence card and insurance card. Staff at larger offices in urban areas often have English-speaking support or translation services available on request.

Prenatal checkup subsidies: Along with the notebook, you will receive a set of vouchers (妊婦健康診査補助券) that cover most of the cost of regular prenatal checkups at designated clinics and hospitals. The number of vouchers and coverage vary by municipality but typically cover 14 checkups.

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Birth: Childbirth Lump-Sum Payment (出産育児一時金)

The 出産育児一時金 (Childbirth and Childcare Lump-Sum Grant) is paid to all insured residents — including foreign residents enrolled in National Health Insurance or company health insurance — when a baby is born in Japan.

Amount: ¥500,000 per birth (as of 2023, raised from ¥420,000). Twin births receive ¥1,000,000.