Minato City subsidizes babysitter fees for unexpected needs, up to ¥2,500 an hour

Minato City subsidizes the cost of using a babysitter temporarily for unexpected circumstances in daily life (a sibling's hospital visit, a parent's refreshment break, etc.). It covers children until the last day of the fiscal year in which they turn 12.

The subsidy combines 2 types:- Tokyo program (certified providers): up to ¥2,500 per hour from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and up to ¥3,500 from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. the next morning.- Matching type (babysitters meeting Tokyo's certification requirements): up to ¥1,000 per hour from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and up to ¥1,500 at night.

The annual usage limit is 144 hours a year for regular children, and 288 hours a year for children with disabilities, multiples and single-parent households. Fractions under 1 hour are rounded down. The contracted provider is Pasona Life Care Inc., and you must register with the company before use.

Applications for FY2026 (April 2026–March 2027) have already started (the first FY2026 deadline was May 25, 2026). There are two kinds of deadlines: normally, by the 10th or 25th of the month after the month of use (if the 10th or 25th falls on a weekend or holiday, the previous business day). Even if you miss this deadline, applications are accepted until April 15, 2027 (must arrive), the final deadline for FY2026. After the final deadline, applications are not accepted for any reason.

Apply online or by mail. Payment is made about 1.5 months after the application deadline. Use for regular childcare, or routine use as a substitute for daycare or kindergarten, is not covered. Although it also uses the word "babysitter," this is a different program from the Minato City Prenatal and Postnatal Housework and Childcare Support Service, which centers on housekeeping helpers.

From October 2026, up to 2 siblings aged 1 or older can be cared for by one babysitter if certain requirements are met (no change if an elementary school child is included; some providers do not offer this). Only the childcare service fee is covered; enrollment fees, membership fees, transportation, cancellation fees and similar are not. If the budget is reached, subsidies may no longer be possible, so early application is recommended.