Q: My first child is due in December, is there any financial support available from the government?
A: Yes. There are two types available depending on what type of insurance you have.
The Maternity Allowance shussan-teate-kin出産手当金 is for working mothers. By law, expectant mothers are not allowed to work in the period 42 days before birth (98 days prior for multiple births) and 56 days after birth. This assistance allowance is provided to cover
the lost salary. To be eligible, expectant mothers should have been covered by (work place) health insurance for at least 12 continuous months. The allowance covers two thirds of the working mother’s regular daily pay.
If the mother is paid at an hourly rate this is easy to calculate:
For example Mrs. A’s regular daily wage is 1300 Yen per hour x 6 = 7800. Her Maternity Allowance covers two thirds of her wage for 98 days (42 + 56). Mrs. A is eligible for 7800 x 2/3 x 98 = 509,600 Yen.
If the mother is paid a monthly salary, a pre-determined daily rate is used. The rate is decided by the Social Insurance Agency and was last revised in April. For example, Mrs. B’s regular salary is 250,000 per month. The pre-determined daily rate is 8000 Yen. Mrs.
B is eligible for 8000 x 2/3 x 98 = 522,667 Yen.
You can apply for the allowance up to 2 years after the first eligible allowance date.
For more information about this you should contact your work place or the Social Insurance Office.
Child Birth and Nursing Allowance Lump Sum Payment出産育児一時金 shussan-ikuji-ichiji-kin.
Pregnancy and child birth are not covered by health insurance, but to help with the cost the government gives a lump sum payment. If the expectant mother is covered by (work place) health insurance,
either directly or via her spouse, or through National Health Insurance 国民健康保険she will be eligible for a lump sum of 350,000 Yen per child. It is also payable for stillbirth or miscarriage.
For more information about this you should contact your workplace (if on work place health insurance) or your local ward office (if on National Health Insurance).
Support Group
If you feel that you need further advice or support you could try contacting the Nagoya Foreign Mother's Group, which exists expressly for the purpose of supporting foreign women giving birth in
Japan. The group holds free meetings twice a month where you can meet medical professionals and other foreign mothers.
Child Birth and Nursing Allowance Lump Sum Payment出産育児一時金 shussan-ikuji-ichiji-kin.
