Japan to offer child benefits in 2023

TOKYO, Japan (NBC) - Tokyo plans to provide benefits to households with children in the new year.

The program, unveiled by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, applies to households with children up to 18-years-old.

Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko said in a New year speech to staff that the prefecture will consider offering about 5,000 yen a month for each child.

Moreover, the move is part of efforts to tackle the declining birthrate in Japan.

Koike described the drop in the number of children as a silent menace.

She said the capital must take measures without waiting further for the central government which has been slow in addressing the issue.

Sources also said the Metropolitan Government aims to start offering the child benefit. This will start in fiscal 2023 without setting any income limit on households.