For dads in Japan
Tokyo wards for new parents
All English guides for dadsPaperwork: the first two weeksBirth money in Japan日本語で読む
Checked: ・ Written by: Hiroshi editorial team ・ No health content (numbers checked against official sources) ・ Editorial policy (JA)
Same national rules everywhere: birth registration within 14 days※, child allowance within 15 days※. What differs by ward: the counters, ward-only gifts and cash, and when to apply for nursery school.
Birth registration and child allowance both have a hard deadline in the first two weeks; foreign nationals also apply for the baby's status of residence within 30 days.
The 23 wards, checked on official ward pages
| Ward | Verified ward facts | Ward-only money or gifts |
|---|---|---|
| Chiyoda (千代田区) | 4 | - |
| Chuo (中央区) | 5 | Yes |
| Minato (港区) | 3 | Yes |
| Shinjuku (新宿区) | 4 | Yes |
| Bunkyo (文京区) | in progress | - |
| Taito (台東区) | 5 | Yes |
| Koto (江東区) | 5 | - |
| Shinagawa (品川区) | 4 | Yes |
| Meguro (目黒区) | 5 | Yes |
| Ota (大田区) | 4 | - |
| Setagaya (世田谷区) | 6 | Yes |
| Shibuya (渋谷区) | 6 | Yes |
| Nakano (中野区) | 4 | - |
| Suginami (杉並区) | 5 | Yes |
| Toshima (豊島区) | 4 | Yes |
| Kita (北区) | 5 | - |
| Sumida (墨田区) | 7 | Yes |
| Arakawa (荒川区) | 6 | Yes |
| Itabashi (板橋区) | 7 | Yes |
| Nerima (練馬区) | 6 | Yes |
| Adachi (足立区) | 6 | Yes |
| Katsushika (葛飾区) | 5 | - |
| Edogawa (江戸川区) | 6 | Yes |
English help from the wards
Some wards publish English guides. For example, Chuo City has an English childcare section and an English family registration page※. Search your ward's site for "English" or "multilingual". The baby's status of residence is not a ward step; it goes to immigration: newborn residence status and passport.
The Hiroshi app has ward paperwork sets for Setagaya, Minato, Shibuya and Meguro※; other wards get the national steps. Start with birth registration and child allowance.
In 2 minutes
The first two weeks, in orderOnce a week, by email
Every week, in the app
Join the beta (TestFlight, free)Sources and check dates
- Birth registration (shussei todoke) is due within 14 days of the birth (3 months if born abroad).
戸籍法 第49条 - Apply within 15 days from the day after the birth so payments start without a gap; late months are generally lost.
こども家庭庁 児童手当Q&A(一般) - Chuo City has an English 'When a Child is Born, Tell Me About Child-rearing' section (pregnancy, child health, childcare, allowances) and an English Family Registration page covering birth registration, passport and status of residence.
Chuo City Living Guide (English) - The Hiroshi app has ward paperwork sets for Setagaya, Minato, Shibuya and Meguro plus Tokyo-wide (other areas: national steps only).
app/src/content/data/forms.json・cities.json