Government to establish nationwide database to improve child care assistance

The Japanese government is taking a proactive step to support parents and guardians by creating a nationwide database of child care support systems in 1,741 municipalities before the end of the fiscal year in March. This database will be utilized by child care support apps developed by private companies to ensure that essential information reaches parents in a timely manner.

With the goal of preventing individuals with children from missing out on available benefits or neglecting important health checkups for their children, the government aims to streamline the process of accessing child care support measures. Currently, the application process and requirements vary from municipality to municipality, making it challenging for parents to navigate the system on their own.

By centralizing this information and sending out notifications, the government hopes to alleviate the burden on parents and provide a comprehensive resource for various support measures, including grants, subsidies, and financial assistance. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has already initiated a trial project for a similar database, which the central government plans to emulate on a national scale.

The database will be linked to existing apps for maternal and child health handbooks, as well as communication notebooks for parents and nursery teachers. Prioritizing support for preschool children, the government will also require municipalities to update the database annually to ensure that parents have access to the most up-to-date information.

This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to supporting families and promoting the well-being of children across Japan.