Amakusa Joins Growing Local Family Policy Movement in Japan
Amakusa Joins Growing Local Family Policy Movement in Japan
Cities like Nagareyama, Nagi, and others have been adopting and expanding family policies. Some wanted to reverse the population situation in Japan, and others wanted to bring families back into their towns. The interesting thing is, that these policies are working on both bringing people in and boosting birth rates. Following this trend, Amakusa, nestled in Kumamoto Prefecture, has embarked on a similar policy.
Expanding Childcare
Starting April 2024, Amakusa will implement one of these policies seen in other cities: free childcare for children under three. This initiative promises a seamless process for families with children in approved nurseries or certified children's centers, where automatic enrollment eradicates the hassle of extra paperwork.
For those opting for non-participating providers, a certification process ensures eligibility, with Amakusa pledging up to ¥42,000 per month in childcare subsidies.
Education-Focused Child Bonuses
Like other cities, Amakusa is opting for child bonuses. The twist to these bonuses is that they are designed to recognise educational milestones - from school entries and graduations. The program distributes ¥50,000 for school commencement and middle school graduation, and a significant ¥100,000 for high school graduation.
A Growing National Movement
The initiatives underway in Amakusa mirror a larger, gradually expanding movement across Japan. Local governments are (very slowly) stepping up, developing and materially expanding their family policies to address the nation's pressing demographic issues.
It paints a hopeful picture of Japan's demographic problems, while creating valuable lessons for others grappling with similar issues.
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