Money you can get for childbirth: If you don't apply, you won't get a single yen. Here is a complete summary.
In conversations between couples expecting a baby, you might hear something like this: "Since we get 500,000 yen for childbirth, it's basically free, right?"
No, that's not true. There is definitely money you can receive. However, if you don't apply for everything yourself, you won't receive a single yen. There are truly many families who miss out on hundreds of thousands of yen simply because they didn't know.
I will summarize all the benefits and support systems related to childbirth.
Childbirth Lump-Sum Grant: 500,000 yen
500,000 yen is provided per child
As of April 2023, it was increased from 420,000 yen to 500,000 yen. If you are enrolled in health insurance, 500,000 yen is provided per child.
At many hospitals, the "direct payment system" is used, where the hospital receives the money directly from the health insurance association, so you only need to pay the difference at the counter.
Points to watch out for that are easy to overlook
Small clinics and midwifery homes may not support the direct payment system. In that case, you need to apply yourself
If childbirth costs are less than 500,000 yen, you can claim the difference (people often forget this)
The application deadline is 2 years from the day after the birth. It expires after that
Child Allowance: Up to 15,000 yen per month (30,000 yen for the third child and beyond)
Income restrictions were abolished as of October 2024
All child-rearing households are now eligible.
Under 3 years old: 15,000 yen per month
3 years old to high school graduation: 10,000 yen per month
3rd child and beyond: 30,000 yen per month
The biggest pitfall is the "15-day special rule"
Child allowance is paid starting from the month following the application month. If you give birth at the end of the month, you will apply in the following month, which delays the start of payments by another month.
The "15-day special rule" prevents this. If you apply within 15 days from the day after the birth, you will receive payments starting from the month following the birth month, even if the application crosses into the next month.
If you give birth on March 30, the deadline is April 14.If you are even one day late, you will miss out on one month's worth (15,000 yen). Retroactive payment is not possible.
Golden rule: File your birth registration and child allowance application together on the same day.
Childbirth allowance: Approximately 650,000 yen (for a monthly income of 300,000 yen)
If you are currently employed, you will be paid for 98 days
This applies to women enrolled in company health insurance. For a total of 98 days—42 days before birth and 56 days after birth—you will be paid two-thirds of your standard daily remuneration.
Three conditions for those who are resigning (all must be met):
1. You must have been continuously enrolled in health insurance for at least one year by your resignation date.
2. Your resignation date must be within 42 days before birth.
3. You must not be working on your resignation date
The biggest pitfall is working on your resignation date
The third point is the biggest pitfall. If you work even half a day on your resignation date for a handover, you will no longer meet the conditions. There have been reported cases where people actually worked on their resignation date and missed out on approximately 650,000 yen.
Be sure to use paid leave for your resignation date.
If you are on National Health Insurance, don't forget the 'Pre- and Post-Childbirth Insurance Premium Exemption'
Childbirth allowance is a system for those enrolled in company health insurance, and National Health Insurance does not have a childbirth allowance. However, National Health Insurance enrollees have the 'Pre- and Post-Childbirth Insurance Premium Exemption' that began in January 2024. This is a system where 4 months' worth of National Health Insurance premiums are exempted, from the month before the expected month of birth to the month after (Article 76-2 of the National Health Insurance Act). Notification can be made from 6 months before the expected birth date, so self-employed individuals and freelancers should complete the procedures early.
Childcare leave benefits: 67% of wages → 50%
This is paid to company employees who take childcare leave.
From start of leave to day 180: 67%
From day 181 onwards: 50%
Also be aware of company procedural errors
In principle, applications are made to Hello Work through your company, but payments can be delayed due to procedural errors by the person in charge at your company. It is safer to confirm the application status with your company after your childcare leave begins.
Medical Expense Subsidy for Infants and Toddlers
A system that makes children's medical expenses zero
Although the name varies by municipality, your child's out-of-pocket medical expenses will be zero or significantly reduced.
Start the procedure without waiting for the insurance card to be issued
Please apply as soon as your baby's insurance card arrives. Since it usually takes 2-3 weeks for an insurance card to be issued, it is best to start the health insurance enrollment process on the same day you submit the birth registration.
If born prematurely or with low birth weight, apply for 'Medical Care for Premature Infants' during hospitalization
For babies who weigh 2,000g or less at birth, or who require inpatient treatment due to being physically underdeveloped, there is a 'Medical Care for Premature Infants' program that subsidizes medical expenses (Article 20 of the Maternal and Child Health Act). What you need to be careful about is that many municipalities do not cover expenses after discharge or after payment has been made. Be sure toapply at your municipal office while still hospitalizedand receive the 'Medical Care Certificate' before making any payments. Since NICU hospitalization costs can be high, this can make a difference of several hundred thousand yen.
Medical Expense Deduction
In the year you give birth, there is a high possibility that you can receive a medical expense deduction through your tax return.
Items that are eligible:
Childbirth costs and hospitalization costs (the remainder after deducting the lump-sum allowance)
Out-of-pocket costs for prenatal checkups
Train and bus fares for hospital visits
Taxi fares in emergencies
Meal costs during hospitalization
If the total medical expenses for the entire family exceed 100,000 yen per year, you can receive a deduction. You can file retroactively for up to 5 years.
If you have a cesarean section, you can also use the High-Cost Medical Expense Benefit
Since a cesarean section is covered by insurance, you can use the High-Cost Medical Expense Benefit system. If you obtain a 'Certificate of Maximum Amount Application' in advance, your payment at the counter will be limited to your out-of-pocket maximum.
I have summarized everything in a list
Childbirth Lump-Sum Allowance: 500,000 yen (Deadline: 2 years from the day after birth)
Child Allowance: From 15,000 yen per month (Deadline: Within 15 days from the day after birth)
Childbirth Allowance: Approximately 650,000 yen (Deadline: 2 years from the day after maternity leave begins)
Childcare Leave Benefits: 67% to 50% of wages (Statute of limitations: 2 years)
Medical Expense Deduction: Income tax refund (within 5 years)
It is not uncommon for the total to come to over 1 million yen.
It is a real shame to miss out on hundreds of thousands of yen just because you 'didn't know.' If you are expecting, please share this list with your family before the birth. You likely won't have the energy to research this level of information yourself while recovering after the birth.
Please make use of sites that automatically organize the order and deadlines for childbirth procedures. By simply answering a few questions, they will list only the procedures you need.
For other issues regarding childbirth procedures, click here: