Maternity Allowance in Japan: Amount & How to Apply [2026]

The Maternity Allowance (shussan teate-kin) replaces your income while you take maternity leave without pay, if you are insured under your employer health insurance (Kyokai Kenpo or a kenpo union). Nationality does not matter.

1. Who qualifies

• You are the insured person yourself under employer health insurance (part-time and contract workers count if enrolled)
• National Health Insurance (NHI) members do not qualify — but the Childbirth Lump-sum Grant (500,000 yen) is paid under NHI too
• Dependents (covered under a spouse) do not qualify

2. How much

Daily amount = average of your standard monthly remuneration over the last 12 months ÷ 30 × 2/3 — roughly two-thirds of your wage. Example: average 300,000 yen → about 6,667 yen per day. If you have been insured less than 12 months, a standard formula (using 320,000 yen as a base) applies.

3. Period covered

• 42 days before the due date (98 days for twins or more) plus 56 days after birth, for the days you actually took off
• If the baby arrives after the due date, the extra days are also covered

4. How to apply

• Notify your employer that you will take maternity leave
• Have a doctor or midwife certify the application form
• Submit it to Kyokai Kenpo or your kenpo union through your employer (usually filed once, after the birth)
• Payment arrives about 1-2 months after filing

5. Difference from the Childbirth Lump-sum Grant

The lump-sum grant covers delivery costs (500,000 yen per child, NHI included); the maternity allowance replaces income during leave (employer insurance only). They are separate — you can receive both.

6. If you resign

You can keep receiving the allowance after resignation if you were continuously insured for 1 year or more up to the resignation date and were eligible on that date. Do not work on your last day, or the continued payment stops.

FAQ

Do NHI members get the maternity allowance?No. It is only for people insured under employer health insurance. NHI members still receive the Childbirth Lump-sum Grant of 500,000 yen.

I am a dependent on my spouse. Do I qualify?No. Only the insured person themselves qualifies.

Can I get both this and the childcare leave benefit?Yes. The maternity allowance covers up to 56 days after birth, and the childcare leave benefit covers the childcare leave period after that.