Housework and childcare helpers around childbirth. ¥1,000 per hour for taxable households

For families who have no one nearby to help with housework and childcare around childbirth, helpers are sent to help with feeding, bathing, diaper changes, caring for older siblings, meal preparation, shopping, cleaning, laundry, etc. It can be used from 2 months before the due date until under 2 years after birth. For use from April 2026, it is 96 hours from 2 months before the due date until under age 1 (240 hours for multiple-birth families), and 96 hours from age 1 to under 2 (192 hours for multiple-birth families). The cost per hour is ¥1,000 for households paying municipal resident tax, ¥500 for tax-exempt households, and free for households on public assistance. Between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., from 2 to 4 hours each time; not available on Sundays, national holidays or the New Year period.