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Last updated: June 11, 2026
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"I heard about the '¥100,000 Benefit' on the news. My friend got the envelope, but I haven't received anything... Why?"
As of 2026, Japan's benefit money system has become extremely complicated. The "¥100,000 for newly non-taxable households" and the "¥30,000 for inflation relief" are mixed together, causing confusion on social media. For foreign residents, specific rules like the "January 1st Address Rule" and the "Dependent Wall" mean that even if your income is low, you might be excluded.
In this article, we explain the latest charts to determine "how much you can get," and provide a "Plan B" to secure ¥20,000 to ¥30,000 on your own if you turn out to be "Not Eligible."
Even if you aren't eligible for the government benefit, don't give up. I'll show you how to 'create' ¥20,000 yourself later in this article.
To conclude, for most foreign residents right now (Jan–Mar 2026), the realistic benefit is "¥30,000 (+ Child Addition)." You might have hoped for "¥100,000," but let's look at the conditions for each.
This is a rescue measure for households that recently fell into poverty.
This is the main program right now. It covers a broader range of people, including those who received benefits in the past.
This is a refund for those who couldn't fully benefit from the 2024 "Flat-rate Tax Cut" (¥40,000 cut). Payment for the shortfall is expected after Summer 2026 in many areas.
If you file your taxes correctly and become 'Tax Exempt,' you could be eligible for future benefits. Start by organizing your expenses easily.
"My income is low, so why no notification?" In that case, you likely fell into one of these three traps.
Japan's Residence Tax is determined by "Where did you live on January 1st?"
This is the biggest blind spot. Even if your annual income is under ¥1,000,000, you are excluded if:
Many municipalities state: "Households consisting only of dependents of a taxable person are not eligible."
Did you move recently? Even if you filed a "Move-in Notification" at the city hall, did you set up Mail Forwarding (e-Tenkyo) at the Post Office?
Government "Confirmation Letters" are often sent as "Do Not Forward" mail. If you aren't at the address, they are returned immediately.
Procedures vary by municipality. Here is the movement as of January 2026 for major areas.
| Municipality | Status | Estimated Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Setagaya Ward (Tokyo) | Upcoming | Notifications sent from early Feb 2026. Payments start late Feb. |
| Okayama City | Ongoing | Sending starts Jan 27, 2026. Auto-deposit possible if account is registered. |
| Edogawa Ward (Tokyo) | Preparing | Separated into Non-Taxable (¥30k) and Income-Levy Only (¥1k). Approx 4 weeks after application. |
Warning: Most municipalities have an application deadline of "3 to 6 months." If you ignore the envelope, your right to the money disappears. Open it immediately.
If you are "Not Eligible," don't be depressed. There are ways to generate ¥20,000 to ¥30,000 yourself without waiting for city hall reviews. Unlike the benefit money, these are guaranteed if you take action.
Freelancers, Uber Eats drivers, and English teachers: Are you skipping your tax return (Kakutei Shinkoku) because it's "too much hassle"?
Actually, if you don't declare your expenses (smartphone bill, bicycle, part of rent) correctly, your income looks artificially high.
English friendly. Win 'Tax Exempt' status for next year by filing correctly.
City hall takes a month to review your ¥30,000 application. This method is faster. By using Rakuten Group campaigns, you can get over 20,000 Points (¥20,000 equivalent).
Combining these can secure an amount equal to or greater than the government benefit.
Easier than government paperwork. The 20,000 point return from Rakuten Mobile is practically a 'Benefit from a Company.' Check it out if you haven't yet.
Get points without waiting for the city hall using the Rakuten Mobile campaign. Start by preparing your card.
Don't have a Rakuten Card yet? Click here to apply.
Finally, a critical warning.
"Go to the ATM to process" or "Apply via email" is 100% a SCAM. Japanese city halls always send documents via postal mail. Never click URLs in suspicious emails.
Some worry, "Will receiving benefits hurt my visa renewal?" Receiving the benefit itself does not negatively affect your visa.
What is dangerous is "Unpaid Taxes." If you get the benefit money, pay off any unpaid Residence Tax or National Health Insurance first. The mindset of "Pay to Stay" (paying to maintain your residency) is crucial for life in Japan.
The benefit system is complex, but if understood correctly, it's valuable financial support.
Take action now to survive and thrive in Japan smartly.
Related money task
This internal guide does not decide individual eligibility; it helps organize document prep and software options.
Open the tax return software guideYou might need this information again. Bookmark this page to access it anytime.
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A: Foreigners with valid residence status are entitled to: child allowance (児童手当), childcare subsidies, employment insurance (雇用保険) unemployment benefits, health insurance coverage, pension benefits, welfare (生活保護) in extreme poverty cases, and various municipal-level subsidies. Eligibility depends on visa type and length of stay.
A: Yes, if you are enrolled in 雇用保険 (employment insurance), which is mandatory for employees working 20+ hours/week. When you lose your job involuntarily, you are entitled to unemployment benefits (基本手当) — typically 50–80% of your prior salary for 90–150 days depending on age and contribution period.
A: 児童手当 is a universal child allowance for families with children under age 15 (expanded in 2024 to age 18). Foreigners with residence status can receive it. As of 2024, the amount is ¥15,000/month per child (ages 3 and under), ¥10,000 (ages 3–12), and ¥10,000 (ages 12–18, previously not covered).
A: If your employer goes bankrupt owing unpaid wages, the Unpaid Wage Payment System (未払賃金立替払制度) under the Labour Standards Act allows workers including foreigners to claim up to 80% of unpaid wages (capped at about ¥2.82 million) from the government via Japan Industrial Safety and Health Association.
A: 生活保護 (welfare) legally applies only to Japanese nationals per the Public Assistance Act. However, a 1954 ministerial circular allows foreigners with permanent residence, spouses of Japanese nationals, or long-term residents to receive welfare on a discretionary basis if destitute. It is not a right but a mercy application.
CEO / Native Japanese Expert
Updated on: June 11, 2026
※ The information in this article is accurate as of the time of writing. Laws and regulations may change, so please always check official sources for the latest information. We assume no liability for any damages resulting from the content of this article.
