One great policy that the Japanese Govt implemented is it allows Japanese people with kids to start receiving entitlements monthly from the date they were born.

Since we had Julia (our daughter) in November last year, she was enrolled through the City hall, and had to register the baby.

When you go down to the city hall, they will ask you to fill in a bunch of forms, and you have to tell them where you want to send the money to.

Well me and my wife talked about it, and decided to setup a bank account for the baby.  Unfortunately, when she got there, they told her, "This money is not a savings for your baby, its to help you raise your baby with the costs in Japan."

So they wouldnt let the money go direct deposit to the babies account.

So the money gets deposited directly into my wifes account, and then she transfers it every quarter to the babies account. 

I think its pretty cool that the Japanese govt does this.

How much does she get? ¥12,000 yen a month per child.

They dont pay you it monthly, they do it every 3 months.

So she receives ¥36,000 in a lump sum every 3 months.

She was told that they will continue to provide this money until the child is about 15 years old.

Yearly that is ¥144,000 and x 15 years that adds up to ¥2,160,000 in total entitlements.

I have a friend who has 2 kids.  1 child was born in Japan, and 1 child was born in USA.  The child they had in Japan, when they were here they registered at the city hall, the ¥12,000 gets deposited into their account just as we receive.  Whats interesting is, he left Japan, but they are still receiving the entitlement.  I guess its okay, but the child that was born in USA, they also tried to get that child registered, but they wouldnt honor it.  Only children born in Japan, are entitled to these benefits.

So everytime they visit back to Japan, couple years span, they said they have a few thousand dollars built into the Japanese account when they get here for spending cash.  I thought it was pretty interesting thing to share.

Whatever your friend's wife is doing is not supposed to do. I guess if her city knows that will ask her to return the money she had been received.
When we move to different country or even city, we need to do "moving out the city" paper work. I guess she didn't do that and moved out or she left her jyuumin-touroku at her parent's address.

Well... I had two separate Japanese wives of American active duty military tell me about something like this.

However, what I was told is that they receive the money because they sign a form stating that the 'foreign' father does not support the child. I had a Japanese neighbor ask me about this so I shared what I was told, and she then called the Yokosuka City offices and was told pretty much the same thing. Also, they told her that if it is found out that the Japanese wife is claiming this childcare credit of sorts, and that the father even simply lives with her, that they consider this fraud. If investigated and found out, they would be asked to pay back the money and be charged a fine.

You may be talking about something different, but my Japanese friend claims that she doesn't receive an allowance for her child because she is married to another Japanese. She and her husband were pretty ticked as this 'money' is their tax dollars at work.

It seems fishy to me...

This "Kodomo-teate Plan"

“Child Benefit” will provide subsidies for new-born to junior high school students.

Brief summary

Each eligible child is subsidized ¥13,000 per month. *regardless of family income

Usually guardians who have received a “Child Allowance” need not apply, however, some guardians should.

Benefit month

June and October and February

1) A requisition of an approval of “Child Benefit”
2) A photo copy of an applicant’s Health Insurance card
*Some applicants are required to send a certificate stating that they are a member of a pension plan. For more details, please read the enclosed guidance paper.
3) A proof of an applicant’s bank account number such as a photo copy of the bank book or ATM card.
4) A photo copy of the foreign resident registration card.
5) Specific documents which are required

Note

・Child Benefit may change by the deliberations of the government.
・This new “Child Benefit,” Kodomo-teate differs from the “Child Allowance,” Jido-teate.
--------------------------
Farfromhome,

You misunderstood what your friends talked about. What we receive is called Kodomo-teate, which everyone receives in Japan. Regardless of income, everyone will receive it.

What you were discussing was Child Allowance "Jido-teate." This is to help support families with low income, and also single parents.

Yuko - Adams wife

One more thing. I did watch on Japanese television last week the Japanese government is discussing to change "Kodomo-teate Plan" and make it if you make over ¥10,000,000 per year, then you would not be eligible. This law has not passed yet, just is being discussed. The Japanese govt is trying to reduce costs, because of the crisis with Fukushima, and supporting all those homeless from the incident.

From what I understand, this program was set up because of the rapidly declining birthrate here in Japan. Supposedly, this is supposed to spur the birthrate by encouraging families to have more children.

I find it interesting that the govt would create such a plan when their debt to GDP is the highest in the world. I think it's s/where between 220%- 230% today, and projected to reach 250% by 2015. I don't know how any country can afford such an entitlement program when they are so heavily in debt. The US debt isn't a/where near this amount, but we're dealing with our own debt crisis right now in the US. We've seen in recent years what happens to citizens when their entitlements get taken away because the country simply can't afford 'em anymore (Greece).

I understand the reasoning behind this entitlement program, but I have to wonder if it will backfire in the end because of how costly it is to offer to the citizens of Japan.

Agreed, yoko-girl. It's a great deal for Adam & others but it's one of those programs that is just unaffordable. To just give out money without indication of financial need is just reckless IMHO.

The crazy thing is, this entitlement is given to all families, as Yuko mentioned, regardless of income. I don't think offering 13,000Y / month is going to encourage a family to have more children if they make a hefty income to begin with. All this does is pad their pocketbook even more and add to the national debt. 13,000Y really isn't that much, especially here in Japan. If a family can't afford to have more children, I just don't see how 13,000Y is going to make up the difference so that they feel more secure in popping out another baby. Babies are expensive! This reminds me of our housing crisis when banks were encouraged to loan to people who couldn't otherwise afford homes in the U.S. If you can't afford a home, you shouldn't be buying one. But, our govt stepped in so that e/one that wanted to be a home owner could own one.....we saw how that backfired when the bubble burst and all the sudden people were defaulting on their homes that they shouldn't have been able to buy in the first place.

So what happens when the baby bubble bursts? I shudder to contemplate. :-P

Posted By Yuko on 07-27-2011 9:00 AM
This "Kodomo-teate Plan"

“Child Benefit” will provide subsidies for new-born to junior high school students.

Brief summary

Each eligible child is subsidized ¥13,000 per month. *regardless of family income

Usually guardians who have received a “Child Allowance” need not apply, however, some guardians should.

Benefit month

June and October and February

1) A requisition of an approval of “Child Benefit”
2) A photo copy of an applicant’s Health Insurance card
*Some applicants are required to send a certificate stating that they are a member of a pension plan. For more details, please read the enclosed guidance paper.
3) A proof of an applicant’s bank account number such as a photo copy of the bank book or ATM card.
4) A photo copy of the foreign resident registration card.
5) Specific documents which are required

Note

・Child Benefit may change by the deliberations of the government.
・This new “Child Benefit,” Kodomo-teate differs from the “Child Allowance,” Jido-teate.
--------------------------
Farfromhome,

You misunderstood what your friends talked about. What we receive is called Kodomo-teate, which everyone receives in Japan. Regardless of income, everyone will receive it.

What you were discussing was Child Allowance "Jido-teate." This is to help support families with low income, and also single parents.

Yuko - Adams wife

So I am confused.  The Japanese spouses (Of American service members) I spoke to told me that they sign a form stating that they are 'unmarried' to receive the allotment you speak of.  Basically since their husbands are not Japanese, the GOJ does not recognize them as they cannot put them into the family tree(?).   So it seems that you would not have needed to sign such a form, yet receive this money.

There seems to be a lot of misinformation out there, and some spouses are perpertuating it!  My Japanese neighbor will be glad to have this information!

WOW! What a boon for your kid(s).   No wonder people with J-spouses want to stay in Japan as long as they can. 

 

 

I am married to a Japanese woman and am on her family's "koseki". My children received all government benefits available to Japanese kids while we were in Japan despite the fact I fell under SOFA.

Posted By farfromhome on 08-03-2011 3:59 PM

Posted By Yuko on 07-27-2011 9:00 AM
This "Kodomo-teate Plan"

“Child Benefit” will provide subsidies for new-born to junior high school students.

Brief summary

Each eligible child is subsidized ¥13,000 per month. *regardless of family income

Usually guardians who have received a “Child Allowance” need not apply, however, some guardians should.

Benefit month

June and October and February

1) A requisition of an approval of “Child Benefit”
2) A photo copy of an applicant’s Health Insurance card
*Some applicants are required to send a certificate stating that they are a member of a pension plan. For more details, please read the enclosed guidance paper.
3) A proof of an applicant’s bank account number such as a photo copy of the bank book or ATM card.
4) A photo copy of the foreign resident registration card.
5) Specific documents which are required

Note

・Child Benefit may change by the deliberations of the government.
・This new “Child Benefit,” Kodomo-teate differs from the “Child Allowance,” Jido-teate.
--------------------------
Farfromhome,

You misunderstood what your friends talked about. What we receive is called Kodomo-teate, which everyone receives in Japan. Regardless of income, everyone will receive it.

What you were discussing was Child Allowance "Jido-teate." This is to help support families with low income, and also single parents.

Yuko - Adams wife

So I am confused.  The Japanese spouses (Of American service members) I spoke to told me that they sign a form stating that they are 'unmarried' to receive the allotment you speak of.  Basically since their husbands are not Japanese, the GOJ does not recognize them as they cannot put them into the family tree(?).   So it seems that you would not have needed to sign such a form, yet receive this money.

There seems to be a lot of misinformation out there, and some spouses are perpertuating it!  My Japanese neighbor will be glad to have this information!

WOW! What a boon for your kid(s).   No wonder people with J-spouses want to stay in Japan as long as they can. 

 

 

This is exactly why I tell my wife not to listen to the incessant chatter while taking our kid to the park.  There is nothing more dangerous than a dependent wife with half the truth.  

Read about it here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodomo_Teate_Law

I was over at the rents house tonight for dinner. This discussion was on Japanese television.
My wife translated what they were discussing. Basically the Japanese congress is voting to abolish the current plan, and they want it to go away in October of this year.

They will then introduce a different plan under a different name. They were shooting off all the yen amounts and the different between the old and new plans, but I couldn't keep up with the translations.

As I was watching it I was getting emails to my cell with you all discussing this, so I just got home and wanted to share what was on TV.

Nothing has passed for what will happen yet, but there is just issues between REP/DEM parties to agree on different terms.

I also remember them discussing something about if the family made more than 8.6 million year per year, it would not qualify for this new plan they want to change to.

If I hear anything else I will let you all know.

They also have this in Germany. It is called Kinder Geld. German parents get a specified amount per month per child. It was my understanding that it was in order to encourage the younger (childbearing age) population to have more children. Germany has a sizable elderly population and people have been opting to delay having children or have no children at all. It is not a huge amount of money, but that coupled with the fact that a German mother can take three years off after having a baby and still have her job back when that time is over helps.

Are those of you who are taking this money paying US taxes on it? To me this seems to be little more than theft, the majortity of you are being paid COLA. These kinds of handouts are one of the reason the US economy is having problems.

What is it?

The current Jido Teate (Child Support Allowance) is being replaced with Kodomo Teate (Child Care Payments). Payment eligibility has been extended to cover children up until graduation from Junior High School. Income restrictions have also been removed.
Effective April 2010, a child allowance will be available to persons who have registered as residents in Japan or who have completed their alien registration and are raising children who meet the requirements to receive the new child allowance and supporting them with their own income. However, people whose residence (visa) status is “short-stay” or “entertainer”, or people who do not have a status of residence do not qualify to receive a child allowance.
How much is the allowance?

13,000 yen per month, per child (Junior High School aged and below) Payment is made three times per year (June, October, and February) in lump sum payments for the 4 months up to the month prior to payment. Payment is made by bank transfer to the account of the person raising the child. Regarding the June 2010 allowance payment, since the system began in April, the amount to be paid on this occasion is for 2 months (April and May).
Who is eligible?

Children from 0 years old until the age of finishing junior high school (the first March 31 after becoming 15 years old) meet the requirements. This does not apply only to children living in Japan; it also applies to children living overseas. However, in such circumstances, documents of proof, etc. are required. Check with your local municipality for more information.
How to receive payments:

Different municipalities use different payment application methods, so it’s important to contact your local municipality to find out about what you should do to receive payments.
An application must be made in order to receive a child allowance payment. To receive a child allowance, you must fill out a form called Kodomo Teate Nintei Shinsei Sho (Child Allowance Authorization Application Form), assemble all necessary documents, and make an application at the application office of your local municipality.
Parents who are expecting their first child: Fill out and submit the Kodomo Teate Nintei Shinsei Sho (Child Allowance Authorization Application Form).
Parents who are expecting their second (third, fourth) child: If they have children who are already receiving Kodomo Teate, fill out and submit a form called Gaku Kaitei Nintei Seikyusho (Child Care Payments Certification Invoice Form).
Change of address should be reported.
Necessary documents include the followings:
Copy of the Alien Registration Certificate (card) of the applicant
Copy of the Health Insurance Certificate of the applicant (if they subscribe to a health insurance scheme)
Copy of the bank pass book of the account to which the child allowance is to be transferred to (must be the account of the applicant)
Other documents may be required if deemed necessary
Foreign-language consultation services by major municipalities:
English: http://www.gtia.jp/kokusai/english/...ounsel.php
Chinese: http://www.gtia.jp/kokusai/chinese/...ounsel.php
Portuguese: http://www.gtia.jp/kokusai/portugue...ounsel.php
Spanish: http://www.gtia.jp/kokusai/spanish/...ounsel.php
For your information, major differences between the current Jido Teate and the new Kodomo Teate are summarized in the table below.
  Kodomo Teate Jido Teate
Eligibility Children who were born from April 2, 1995 onwards. As a general rule and according to the Jido Teate, payment will be made to the parents/guardians who have custody (and are rearing/supervising) the eligible children. Guardians who are raising elementary school aged children
Amount of allowance JPY13,000 (Apr. 2010 – Mar. 2011) JPY10,000 for all children under three years of age;
JPY5,000 for the 1st & 2nd children who are three or older;
JPY10,000 for the 3rd child and above who are age three and older
Payment months Feb., June, Oct. annually Feb., June, Oct. annually


The other types of support you were talking about are for single moms. If you are married it's not possible to be able to get the ¥60000 and up per month because they do investigate, survey you and home visits. It will also be seen in your koseki tohon(family tree) if your married. It is not taxable. It is an allowance for children.