The Children and Families Agency announced on Tuesday that it has requested a general-account budget of ¥4,218.9 billion for fiscal 2025. This represents a 1.8% increase from the previous year and is intended to fund initiatives aimed at increasing Japan’s birthrate, including the expansion of child allowances.
Starting in October, the country will eliminate the income cap for child allowances. Additionally, eligibility for these benefits will be extended to include families with children in high school.
This expansion of the child allowance program is part of a broader government plan that was introduced last year. The plan aims to implement comprehensive support measures for child-rearing over a three-year period starting in April 2021.
One key aspect of this plan is the introduction of daycare services that will be available to all infants, regardless of their parents’ employment status. To support this initiative, the agency has requested a budget allocation of approximately ¥23 billion for fiscal 2025.
These measures are part of ongoing efforts by the Japanese government to address declining birthrates and promote family-friendly policies. By providing increased financial support and expanding access to childcare services, they hope to encourage more couples to have children and alleviate some of the challenges associated with raising a family.
these proposed budget increases reflect a commitment from the Children and Families Agency towards creating an environment that supports families and encourages population growth in Japan.