Housework support for pregnant women and new mothers, from ¥500/hour on weekday daytimes

This program sends helpers contracted by the city to families with pregnant women or new mothers, from about 6 weeks before the due date until 3 months after birth, to help with housework such as cleaning, laundry, shopping, and cooking. The user cost is ¥500/hour on weekday daytimes and ¥800/hour at night and on holidays (beyond 1 hour, ¥250 per 30 minutes, or ¥400 at night and on holidays). Actual costs such as shopping are separate. Each visit is up to 1 hour 30 minutes, up to 2 times a week, and it is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is closed during the year-end/New Year period (December 29 to January 3). Childcare support such as looking after or taking children to and from places is not covered. Advance registration and a usage application are required.