Parenting & Education
For Expectant Parents
1 Child Care
1 Pregnancy
Issuing of the Maternal and Child Health Handbook
The handbook records prenatal checkup records, the history of your baby’s growth and vaccination records, and states information about child care and health.
Process of Issuing
Please submit a pregnancy notification form to the Public Health and Welfare Center of your local ward.
※A leaflet explaining this handbook is available in English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, Indonesian, Tagalog, Thai, Vietnamese and Nepali.
2 After a Birth
When a child is born to persons of foreign nationality, the father or mother must register the child’s birth through the following process.
Birth Registration (Shussei-todoke)
If both parents are of foreign nationality and their child is born in Japan, birth registration must be made in Japan and the country of the child’s citizenship.
Please submit the birth registration form to your local ward office or municipal office of the birthplace of your child within 14 days after the birth. Please make an inquiry to your embassy or consulate general about the documents needed for the birth registration process of the country of his/her citizenship.
〈Necessary Documents〉
- Birth certificate of the child (issued at the hospital where the child was born)
- Maternal and Child Health Handbook
- National Health Insurance Certificate (If you are registered under the National Health Insurance Program).
Registration of Foreign Residents
The birth will be listed in the residence certificate, based on the birth registration.
Application for Special Permanent Resident
Please bring the Certificate of Special Permanent Resident, etc. of the father or mother (applicants) within 60 days from birth to the ward office where the applicant resides.
Application for Acquisition of Status of Residence
Apply at the Osaka Regional Immigration Bureau within 30 days of the birth.
※The requirement varies depending on the situation. Please confirm for more details.
Apply for Issuance of a Child Passport
Apply at the embassy or consulate general of your country.
The required documents differ from according to the country. Please check with your embassy or consulate general for further information.
3 Lump Sum Birth Allowance
4 Health Checkup for Infants (Free of charge)
- 3 months, 18 months, and 3 years checkup
Your local Public Health and Welfare Center will notify you of the examination. - 1 month - 2 months checkup
A general health examination for infants application form is attached to the separate volume of the Maternal and Child Health Handbook. In order to have this examination, please fill out and submit this form to one of the medical facilities in Osaka Prefecture. - 9 months - 11 months checkup
In order to have this examination, please fill out the reception medical consultation form issued at the time of the health examination for infants aged 3 months, and submit it to one of the medical facilities（Pediatrics） in Osaka Prefecture.
5 Preventive Vaccination (Free of charge)
Please ensure your child receives the various immunizations as outlined in the schedule in the Preventive Vaccination Injection Notebook when your child is in good health.
Schedule for Immunization
| Vaccination Age Range | Ideal Vaccination Age | Number of shots |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1st birthday | Between 5 to 8 months old | 1 |
| Name of vaccination | Vaccination Age Range | Ideal Vaccination Age | Number of shots | Intervals of vaccinations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | From 6 weeks 0 days to 24 weeks 0 days old | The first vaccination begins at 2 months old (Preferably until 14 weeks and 6 days old) | 2 | Vaccines need to be given more than 27 days apart. |
| 2nd | From 6 weeks 0 days to 24 weeks 0 days old | The first vaccination begins at 2 months old (Preferably until 14 weeks and 6 days old) | 2 | Vaccines need to be given more than 27 days apart. |
| Name of vaccination | Vaccination Age Range | Ideal Vaccination Age | Number of shots | Intervals of vaccinations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | From 6 weeks 0 days to 32 weeks 0 days old | The first vaccination begins at 2 months old (Preferably until 14 weeks and 6 days old) | 3 | Vaccines need to be given more than 27 days apart. |
| 2nd | From 6 weeks 0 days to 32 weeks 0 days old | The first vaccination begins at 2 months old (Preferably until 14 weeks and 6 days old) | 3 | Vaccines need to be given more than 27 days apart. |
| 3rd | From 6 weeks 0 days to 32 weeks 0 days old | The first vaccination begins at 2 months old (Preferably until 14 weeks and 6 days old) | 3 | Vaccines need to be given more than 27 days apart. |
| Name of vaccination | Vaccination Age Range | Ideal Vaccination Age | Number of shots | Intervals of vaccinations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First time | Until one year after birth | 2 to 9 months old | 3 | Twice, with an interval of at least 27 days For third vaccination, once, with an interval of at least 139 days after the first time |
| Second time | Until one year after birth | 2 to 9 months old | 3 | Twice, with an interval of at least 27 days For third vaccination, once, with an interval of at least 139 days after the first time |
| Third time | Until one year after birth | 2 to 9 months old | 3 | Twice, with an interval of at least 27 days For third vaccination, once, with an interval of at least 139 days after the first time |
| Vaccination Age Range Commencing time of vaccination |
Ideal Vaccination Age | Number of shots | Intervals of vaccinations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 to 7 months old | Age for the first shot is between 2 to 7 months of age. | 4 | 3 shots at intervals of at least 27 (20) days（※1） 1 shot at an interval of at least 7 months after the 3rd shot |
| 7 to 12 months old | Age for the first shot is between 2 to 7 months of age. | 3 | 2 shots at an interval of at least 27 (20) days（※1） 1 shot at an interval of at least 7 months after the 2nd shot |
| 12 to 60 months old | Age for the first shot is between 2 to 7 months of age. | 1 |
*1.Vaccinations can also be given in 20-day intervals, if the doctor deems it necessary.
| Vaccination Age Range Commencing time of vaccination |
Ideal Vaccination Age | Number of shots | Intervals of vaccinations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 to 7 months old | Age for the first shot is between 2 to 7 months of age. | 4 | 3 shots at intervals of at least 27 days 1 shot at an interval of at least 60 days after the 3rd shot and at the age of 12 months or older |
| 7 to 12 months old | - |
3 | 2 shots at an interval of at least 27 days Once, with an interval of at least 60 days after the second vaccination and at least 12 months after birth |
| 12 to 24 months old | - |
2 | 2 shots at an interval of at least 60 days |
| 24 to 60 months old | - |
1 |
| Name of vaccination | Vaccination Age Range | Ideal Vaccination Age | Number of shots | Intervals of vaccinations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st stage | 2 to 90 months old | 2 to 11 months old | 3 | 3 shots at intervals of at least 20 days |
| Additional | 2 to 90 months old | 12 to 17 months after the end of the 3 shots in the first stage | 1 | 1 shot after an interval of at least 6 months after the end of the 3 shots in the first stage |
| Name of vaccination | Vaccination Age Range | Ideal Vaccination Age | Number of shots |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd stage | 11 years old | 6th grade of elementary school | 1 |
| Name of vaccination | Vaccination Age Range | Ideal Vaccination Age | Number of shots |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st stage | 12 to 24 months old | － | 1 |
| 2nd stage | 5 to 6 years old and within 1 year of entering elementary school | － | 1 |
*2. If you particularly want to, you can also have a single antigen vaccine against measles and rubella.
| Name of vaccination | Vaccination Age Range | Ideal Vaccination Age | Number of shots | Intervals of vaccinations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st shot | 12 to 36 months old | 12 to 15 months old | 2 | 2 shots at an interval of at least 3 months |
| 2nd shot | 12 to 36 months old | 6 to 12 months after the end of the first shot | 2 | 2 shots at an interval of at least 3 months |
| Name of vaccination | Vaccination Age Range | Ideal Vaccination Age | Number of shots | Intervals of vaccinations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st stage | 6 to 90 months old, and other people specially subject to vaccination | 3 years old | 2 | 2 shots at an interval of at least 6 days |
| Additional | 6 to 90 months old, and other people specially subject to vaccination | 4 years old | 1 | 1 shot after an interval of at least 6 months after the end of 2 shots in the first stage |
| 2nd stage | 9 to 12 years old, and people who are specially subject to vaccination | 9 years old | 1 |
| Name of vaccination | Vaccination Age Range | Ideal Vaccination Age | Number of shots | Intervals of vaccinations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cervarix(2-valent) | Ages equivalent to 6th grade of elementary school through 1st year of high school and children eligible for catch-up vaccinations | 1st year junior high school students | 3 | Second vaccination 1 month after first vaccination, third vaccination 6 months after first vaccination |
| Gardasil(4-valent) | Ages equivalent to 6th grade of elementary school through 1st year of high school and children eligible for catch-up vaccinations | 1st year junior high school students | 3 | Second vaccination 2 month after first vaccination, third vaccination 6 months after first vaccination |
| Silgard (9-valent) | Ages equivalent to 6th grade of elementary school through 1st year of high school and children eligible for catch-up vaccinations | 1st year junior high school students | 3 | Second vaccination 2 months after the first; third vaccination 6 months after the first |
*3. Although the city had been avoiding actively recommending the uterine cancer vaccine due to a bulletin issued by the national government on June 14, 2013, it resumed actively recommending the vaccine following a bulletin issued in November 2021.
Inquiries for Disease Immunization
Public Health OfficeInfectious Diseases Prevention Department
TEL：06-6647-0656
6 Medical Subsidy for Infants and Children
The Medical Subsidy for Infants and Children subsidizes the cost of medical treatment covered by the child’s health insurance for children under 19 years old (until the March 31 after the 18th birthday). Please apply for this program at the Public Health and Welfare Center in your local ward.
7 Child Allowance
Child allowance will be paid to people who are bringing up children from 0 years old until the age of finishing junior high school (the first March 31 after becoming 15 years old). It is paid in the month after application.
The amounts of child allowance are shown below:
Under 3 years old: 15,000 yen per month
Over 3 years old and prior to elementary school graduation (for first and second children): 10,000 yen per month
Over 3 years old and prior to elementary school graduation (for third and subsequent children): 15,000 yen per month
Junior high school students: 10,000 yen per month
For persons earning incomes that are greater than or equal to the income limit but less than the income cap, 5,000 yen will be paid per child for a certain period of time. No allowance is available for persons earning incomes that are greater than the income cap. If you are a civil servant, please refer to your office.
Kindergartens・ Day Nurseries・Certified early childhood care and educational institutions (certified for childcare)・Local child care businesses
1 Kindergartens・Certified early childhood care and educational institutions（Certified for standard educational services）
Kindergartens and early childhood care and education are administered nationally, publicly, or privately, and are established by the national or local governments and incorporated schools. Children can attend kindergarten between the ages of 3 and 5 (in some kindergarten, from the age of 4). Applications for the next fiscal year are accepted in September and October each year. Applications can be received and submitted at each kindergarten and certified early childhood care and educational institution (certified for standard educational services). If enrollment numbers fall below quotas, applications for enrollment can be accepted at any time. For more information, please contact any kindergarten or accredited nursery school.
2 Day Nurseries・Certified early childhood care and educational institutions (certified for childcare)・Local child care businesses
In cases where a child cannot be cared for at home by a parent or guardian—owing to work commitments, childbirth, illness, or elderly nursing responsibilities—that child can be looked after at a day nursery or similar facility. This service is available for children aged from six months to the age of eligibility for elementary school. Day-care fees for children ages 0 to 2 are determined based on the total municipal tax paid by the parents or guardians living in the child’s household. For application procedures and consultations, please inquire at your local ward’s health and welfare center.
【Inquiries about kindergartens and certified early childhood care and educational institutions (certified for standard educational service)】
3 Counseling on Child Care
1 Child-rearing Activity Support Center of the Osaka Municipal Gender Equality Center (Creo Osaka Parenting Center)
This center offers counseling and information, as well as various lectures and seminars giving advice on child care issues.
6-4-20 Tenjimbashi, Kita-ku
TEL 06-6354-0106 06-6354-0277
Hours: Weekdays, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed: New Year’s holiday
Telephone Counseling
TEL 06-6354-4152
Daily 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM (Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, to 5:00 PM)
Face-to-Face Counseling (appointment necessary)
TEL: 06−6354−4152
2 Osaka City Child Consultation Center
Call toll-free 24 hours a day to report on or consult about child abuse.
To protect children from child abuse, we must tackle the problem together as a society.
If you see or suspect child abuse, please call the Child Abuse Hotline. (Calls are anonymous and your privacy is protected.) If you feel that you yourself might be abusing a child, please give us a call. (Your consultation will be confidential.)
Consultation Hotline: TEL 0120-01-7285 (24 hours open everyday)
Please also notify the health and welfare center child-rearing support office of the ward in which you live, and the nearest school.
Education
1 Organization of the Education System
The Period of Compulsory Education in Japan is 9 Years
2 Elementary and Junior High Schools and other compulsory education schools
In Japan, it is mandatory for all children to attend elementary school for six years and junior high school for three years, or a compulsory education school for nine years. All classes are taught in Japanese. Tuition fees and school lunch fees are not required for municipal schools. However, some of the teaching aids used in schools require payment. To enroll, visit your local ward office with your child’s residence card and complete the necessary procedures.
For International schools, national or private schools, please inquire to the schools directly.
3 High Schools
High school education is not mandatory. To enroll, a student must have received the equivalent of at least a Japanese junior high school education. You may choose national, public or private school. They offer varied curricula, including academic, commercial and industrial courses. For information on enrollment in a public high school, inquire at your child’s junior high school. To enroll in a private school, apply directly at the school of your choice.