[2026 Guide] Japan's ¥30,000 & ¥100,000 Benefits for Foreigners: Eligibility, Deadlines & Plan B

[2026 Update] Japan’s ¥30,000 & ¥100,000 Benefit Money: When Will It Arrive? + How to Get ¥20,000 if You Missed Out

"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."

Which Benefit Money Can Foreigners Get in 2026?

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.

1. [¥100,000] For "Newly" Non-Taxable Households

This is a rescue measure for households that recently fell into poverty.

• Target: Households whose income decreased in FY2024 (Reiwa 6), making them "Residence Tax Exempt" (Juminze Hikazei) for the first time.
• Warning: If you received the "¥70,000" or "¥100,000" benefits in 2023 or 2024, you are NOT eligible (to prevent double dipping).

2. [¥30,000] Inflation Relief Benefit (Priority Support)

This is the main program right now. It covers a broader range of people, including those who received benefits in the past.

• Target: Households that are Residence Tax Exempt as of the reference date (usually Jan 1, 2024, or Dec 1, 2024, depending on the municipality).
• Timing: Notifications are arriving from late January to March 2026 in many municipalities.
• Child Addition: An extra ¥20,000 to ¥50,000 per child (under 18) is added.

3. [Adjustment Benefit] Tax Cut Shortfall

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.

Why Didn't It Arrive? 3 Traps for Foreigners

"My income is low, so why no notification?" In that case, you likely fell into one of these three traps.

1. The "January 1st Rule" Barrier

Japan's Residence Tax is determined by "Where did you live on January 1st?"

• For FY2025 Benefits: Generally, if you did not have a registered address (Juminhyo) in Japan on January 1, 2024, you are not eligible.
• Recent Arrivals: If you arrived in Japan on or after Jan 2, 2025, you have no tax record for the base year, so you are often treated as "Out of Scope" rather than "Non-Taxable."

2. The "Dependent" Trap

This is the biggest blind spot. Even if your annual income is under ¥1,000,000, you are excluded if:

• You are a student claimed as a dependent by your parents (even if they are overseas, depending on tax treaty interpretation).
• You are a homemaker claimed as a dependent by a high-earning spouse.

Many municipalities state: "Households consisting only of dependents of a taxable person are not eligible."

3. "Unknown Address" Trouble

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.

[By City] When Will It Be Deposited? Latest Schedule

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.

[Plan B] What to Do Immediately If You Are "Not Eligible"

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.

1. Win the Right for "Next Year" via Tax Return (Taxnap)

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.

• Risk: Your Residence Tax remains high, making you ineligible for benefits next year. Your National Health Insurance will also be expensive.
• Solution: The tax return app Taxnap lets you complete expense entry with just swipes.
• Benefit: By filing correctly and becoming a "Residence Tax Exempt Household," you gain eligibility for future benefits (potentially ¥50k–¥100k) and significantly lower monthly insurance premiums.

2. "Create" Your Own ¥20,000 Benefit (Rakuten Card/Mobile)

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).

• Rakuten Card: 5,000 to 10,000 points for new sign-up & usage (depending on the timing).
• Rakuten Mobile: If you are a Rakuten Card holder, there is a campaign giving 20,000 points back for your first application (as of 2026).

Combining these can secure an amount equal to or greater than the government benefit.

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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.

Don't have a Rakuten Card yet? Click here to apply.

Beware of Scams! The Era of "Pay to Stay"

Finally, a critical warning.

Scam Alert

"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.

Impact on Visa

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.

Summary: Check the Mailbox, Then Move to Plan B

The benefit system is complex, but if understood correctly, it's valuable financial support.

1. Check your mailbox for the envelope from your municipality.
2. If you are excluded due to the "Jan 1 Rule" or "Dependents," switch gears immediately.
3. Use Taxnap to prepare your tax return and aim for Tax Exempt status next year.
4. Use Rakuten Campaigns to secure immediate funds.

Take action now to survive and thrive in Japan smartly.