Japan (JP)
Japan is one of the world's most captivating destinations for expats — a country where ancient temple culture and ultra-modern technology coexist seamlessly.
Family Rights & Benefits
Maternity, parental leave and child benefits in Japan.
Japan has been significantly expanding its family support policies since 2023 under the government's 'Dimension-different Child Policy' (異次元の少子化対策). Paternity leave exists and has been strengthened, but cultural barriers to actually taking it remain significant — particularly in traditional Japanese workplaces. Foreign nationals working legally in Japan are entitled to the same maternity, paternity, and parental leave rights as Japanese workers. Child benefits are available to all registered residents.
産前産後休業 (Sanzen Sango Kyūgyō — Pre and Postnatal Leave)
Before birth: 6 weeks (42 days) before the expected delivery date. Can work during this period if the pregnant employee requests to continue — the employer cannot force the employee to use pre-birth leave.
After birth: 8 weeks (56 days) mandatory after birth. The first 6 weeks postpartum: the employee CANNOT work even if she wants to. The remaining 2 weeks: can work if a doctor certifies it is safe.
Job protection: Complete protection from dismissal during pregnancy, maternity leave, and for 1 year after returning from childcare leave (育児休業 / ikuji kyūgyō). Any dismissal during this period is presumed illegal and the employer must prove the absence of a connection to the pregnancy/leave. Maternity Allowance (出産手当金): 2/3 of standard daily remuneration from the health insurer (Shakai Hoken only — not NHI) during maternity leave when wages are not paid.
育児休業 (Ikuji Kyūgyō — Childcare Leave)
Max duration: Up to 2 years maximum (1 year as standard, extendable to 18 months or 2 years if no childcare place found). Both parents can take leave separately — there is no combined maximum. If both parents take leave, the father can take an additional "Papa Mama Ikukyu Plus" (パパ・ママ育休プラス) allowing the second parent to extend their leave until the child reaches 1 year 2 months.
Split rules / Elterngeld: Since April 2023 (revised Childcare Leave Act): parents can split parental leave into up to 4 separate periods (previously continuous only). Fathers now have a new "Paternity Leave at Birth" (産後パパ育休 / Sango Papa Ikukyu) of up to 4 weeks within 8 weeks after birth — can be taken in 2 splits, and the employee can work during this period with employer agreement. Parental Leave Allowance (育児休業給付金) from Employment Insurance: 67% of wages for first 180 days, then 50% until child's 1st birthday (or 18 months/2 years if extended).
Benefits
Child Allowance (児童手当 / Jidō Teate)
¥15,000/month per child under 3; ¥10,000/month per child aged 3–12 (3rd child or more: ¥30,000 under 3, ¥30,000 aged 3–18 under 2024 reform); 0–18 for all children from October 2024
Duration: Monthly, until the child reaches the end of the fiscal year in which they turn 18 (under 2024 expansion)
Eligibility: All legal residents of Japan with children — including foreign nationals. Income ceiling abolished for most recipients in the October 2024 reform (previously limited to households earning under ~¥9.6M).
How to apply: Apply at your ward/city office (区役所 / 市役所) within 15 days of the child's birth or your arrival in Japan. Bring: your residence card, MyNumber, and child's birth certificate (and residence registration). Monthly payment on 15th of June, October, and February (4-monthly) or on the 15th of each month (from October 2024 reform — shifted to monthly payment schedule).
2024 reform significantly expanded the child allowance: removed income ceiling for most families, extended age limit to 18, and raised amounts for third+ children. The most significant expansion of the child benefit in decades.
Childbirth Lump-Sum Grant (出産育児一時金 / Shussan Ikuji Ichiji-kin)
¥500,000 per birth (raised from ¥420,000 in April 2023)
Duration: One-time per birth
Eligibility: All NHI and Shakai Hoken members (and their dependants) who give birth. Foreign nationals enrolled in Japanese health insurance.
How to apply: The grant can be paid directly to the hospital (直接支払制度) — reducing your out-of-pocket cost at birth — or reimbursed to you after birth. Apply through your health insurer (協会けんぽ, municipal NHI, or employer's health insurance association).
Most hospital births cost ¥450,000–600,000 before the grant. The grant covers most or all of the cost at normal delivery hospitals. Excess costs (private room, complications) are the patient's responsibility. Multiple births: ¥500,000 per baby.
Childcare Leave Allowance (育児休業給付金 / Ikuji Kyūgyō Kyūfukin)
67% of pre-leave standard wage for the first 180 days of leave; 50% thereafter. From 2025, the first 28-day Sango Papa Ikukyu allowance is being raised to 80% of pre-leave wage.
Duration: Until child reaches 12 months (or 18 months/2 years if nursery not available)
Eligibility: Employees covered by Employment Insurance (雇用保険) who take childcare leave. Must have contributed to employment insurance for 12 months in the 2 years before taking leave.
How to apply: Apply through your employer — they submit the claim to Hello Work on your behalf. File within 2 years of the end of the leave period.
The allowance is tax-free and exempt from social insurance premiums. This significantly reduces the financial burden of parental leave. For a household where both parents earn ¥5M+/year, the combined allowance can make a full-year joint leave financially feasible.
Medical Expense Assistance for Children (子どもの医療費助成)
Varies by municipality — Tokyo wards typically cover all medical costs for children under 18 (0% co-pay)
Duration: Until age defined by municipality (most cover to age 18 or 15)
Eligibility: Resident children in the municipality
How to apply: Apply at ward/city office with the child's residence registration, health insurance card, and parent's residence card.
This is a municipal benefit, not a national one — coverage varies. Most major cities provide comprehensive coverage, making children's healthcare essentially free. Check your ward's specific policy.
Sick child leave
Child-Nursing Care Leave (子の看護休暇 / Ko no Kango Kyūka): Legally entitled to take 5 days per year (10 days if 2+ children) of nursing care leave per child under 13 years old (under 2024 expansion from age 12). Leave can be taken in half-day or even 1-hour increments (since April 2021). This is unpaid unless the employer provides a paid policy — check your employment contract.
Birth registration
The birth of a child in Japan must be registered at the ward/city office (区役所) within 14 days of birth. Required documents: Shussei Todoke (出生届 / birth notification form, provided by the hospital), proof of maternity (母子健康手帳 section stamped by doctor/midwife), and both parents' residence cards (if applicable). Foreign nationals: also register the birth with your home country's embassy or consulate within the required period (typically 3 months) to establish the child's foreign nationality.
Childcare rights
All children resident in Japan have the right to receive public education (義務教育) from age 6–15. Foreign children are not legally obligated to attend school but may. Childcare (hoikuen) access is a legal right — if your ward cannot provide a place, you may be entitled to compensation and alternative support (待機児童対策). The government's 2023 Child Policy aims to dramatically expand childcare availability.
Family Rights
Unlock the complete Family Rights guide for Japan — including every detail, document, tip and link you need.
Become a SupporterSupport the guide on Ko-fi · Unlocks every premium section, everywhere