Raising children in Tokyo can be expensive, and many foreign families are not aware of the support they can receive. One key program is “018 Support”, a monthly cash benefit from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government for children aged 0~18. This article explains what 018 Support is, who can get it, and how to apply, so your family doesn’t miss out on this allowance.
What Is 018 Support?
018 (zero‑one‑eight) Support is a cash benefit paid directly to support all children who live in Tokyo, regardless of family income.
- Amount: 5,000 yen per child per month (60,000 yen per year)
- Paid by: Tokyo Metropolitan Government
- Use: Free to use for school supplies, lessons, daily expenses, etc. (no restrictions on how you spend it)
Foreign children who are residents of Tokyo are also eligible, as long as they meet the same conditions as Japanese children.
Who Is Eligible?
In general, a child is eligible if:
- They are 0~18 years old (from birth until March 31 after their 18th birthday).
- They live in Tokyo or had a registered address in Tokyo during the relevant fiscal year.
- They have a Certificate of Residence in Tokyo (住民票).
Important points for foreign families:
- There is no income limit – high‑income families can also receive it.
- Children who moved into or out of Tokyo during the year can still be eligible if they had an address in Tokyo for part of the fiscal year.
- Residence status and address are checked based on the 1st of each month during the fiscal year.
The official website and multilingual information pages specifically mention that foreign residents can apply and provide leaflets and guides in several languages.
How to Apply: Main Steps
On the application site, you can change the display language (including English) from the menu at the top right corner of the page, which makes the process much easier if you are not comfortable reading Japanese.
Typical documents include:
- ID for the applicant (usually the parent/guardian): Residence Card, etc.
- Document showing the family relationship between the applicant and the child (e.g., health insurance card listing dependents, Family Register copy if applicable, etc.)
- Bank account information for receiving the payment (passbook, bank card, or online bank screenshot).
2. Apply online (recommended)
You can apply through the official 018 Support portal using a PC or smartphone.
- If the child is under 18, a parent or guardian applies.
- If the child is already 18, either the child or the parent/guardian can apply; in some cases, a letter of attorney may be required.
- There is an English “Guide to Applying for 018 Support” that shows screenshots and explains each step.
3. If online is difficult: apply by mail
If you do not have a smartphone or PC, you can request a paper application form and apply by post.
- Call the 018 Support Call Center and ask them to send you the special application form.
- Fill it out, attach the required documents, and send it back by mail.
Call Center (Japanese, with some multilingual support via interpreters in certain cases):
- Phone: 0120‑056‑018
- Hours: 9:00–19:00 (every day, except around New Year holidays)
4. After application
Once your application is accepted, the allowance is paid to your bank account, usually in a lump sum for several months at a time, depending on the schedule for that fiscal year.
