Japan Tokyo to Provide 50,000 Won Monthly Support for Children Under 18

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Minyoung Kim] Yuriko Koike, Governor of Tokyo Metropolis, Japan, expressed her intention on the 4th at the New Year's gathering to provide approximately 5,000 yen (about 49,000 KRW) per month to infants, children, and adolescents under 18 years old in the metropolis, according to reports by Kyodo News and local public broadcaster NHK.

Governor Koike mentioned that Japan's annual number of births last year is expected to fall below 800,000 for the first time since related statistics began to be compiled, emphasizing that "(the low birthrate) is a shocking situation that shakes the foundation of society's existence."

Tokyo Metropolis is the political and economic center of Japan, consisting of 23 wards and surrounding cities, with a population of about 14 million.

The Japanese government announced on the 28th of last month that, to address the issue of population concentration in the metropolitan area, it will significantly increase the support payment for children under 18 in families relocating from Tokyo Metropolis and nearby areas to local regions from 300,000 yen (about 2.93 million KRW) per person to 1,000,000 yen (about 9.76 million KRW) starting in April.

The local relocation support payment is provided even if there are no children. Residents of the metropolitan area who start a business or find employment in local regions can receive between 1,000,000 and 3,000,000 yen (about 9.76 million to 29.3 million KRW).

The support payments are given to residents of the 23 wards of Tokyo Metropolis or those commuting to the 23 wards from other areas of Tokyo Metropolis, Saitama Prefecture, Chiba Prefecture, and Kanagawa Prefecture. However, recipients must live in the local area for more than five years, and if they fail to fulfill the five-year period, they must return the support funds.