Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward (Where Imperial Palace Located) to Give Students ¥15,000 (~$100)/Month
The ward will provide ¥15,000 (~$100) monthly to all middle and high school students residing in the district, regardless of household income in April 2025
By the numbers:
Affects approximately 3,000 students
Annual budget: ¥540 million ($3.6 million)
Payment: ¥15,000 per student monthly
Why it matters: This move comes amid rising inflation in Japan and growing concerns about educational expenses. Middle and high school students typically incur higher costs than elementary school students due to cram schools (juku) and extracurricular activities.
The big picture: Chiyoda, home to Japan's political and business district, has been aggressive in implementing family-support policies, including:
Free school lunches
Free diaper programs
Additional support for families with children
What they're saying: "There's a significant cost gap between elementary and middle/high school education. We want to provide additional support for families during these more expensive educational years," says recently re-elected Chiyoda Ward Mayor Takaaki Higuchi.
Context: The Tokyo Metropolitan Government already provides ¥5,000 monthly for residents under 18. Tokyo and Osaka have implemented free high school education programs, including private schools.
What's next: The ward will finalize program details, including:
Exact launch date
Residency requirements
Distribution method
The initiative will be included in the upcoming fiscal year's budget proposal, which is expected later this month.