Shimotsuma City, Ibaraki "Supporting Immigration and Settling of Child-Rearing Generation Want to raise children in Shimotsuma! Become a town of choice with seamless support

2025.12.15 09:30

茨城県下妻市

Shimotsuma City (Mayor: Hiroshi Kikuchi) in Ibaraki Prefecture is developing seamless childcare support measures from pregnancy to preschool age with the aim of promoting the migration and settlement of the child-rearing generation. The city is promoting the creation of an environment where the child-rearing generation can live with peace of mind through a full range of programs, including the city's own additional support.

子育て支援(イメージ)

Child-raising support (image)

Three features of Shimotsuma City's childcare support

1. 150,000 yen financial support from pregnancy to delivery

Financial support is provided from the time of notification of pregnancy to the time of childbirth. In addition to the national subsidy of 100,000 yen to support childbirth and child rearing, the city provides a generous support system, including its own maternity gift subsidy of 50,000 yen and additional subsidies for health checkups for pregnant women with multiple births. 2.

2. one of the highest childcare fee reduction rates in the prefecture

The monthly childcare fee for children under 3 years old is set at a maximum of 39,000 yen (the average in the prefecture is 50,300 yen). The second child is half-price, and the third and subsequent children are free of charge, making it one of the highest reduction rates in Ibaraki Prefecture.

3. support for medical expenses and health checkups

Under the Marufuku system, the city subsidizes medical expenses for expectant and nursing mothers and children from 0 years old to the end of the fiscal year in which they reach 18 years old. In addition, as a city-unique program, the city provides subsidies to cover the cost of medical expenses for pregnant and nursing mothers and preschool children so that their medical expenses are virtually free of charge.

In addition, Shimotsuma City supports the healthy growth of children through unique programs such as the "5-year old child health checkup" to check the developmental status of children before school age.

子育て施策

Child Rearing Policies

List of Support Programs

Pregnancy and Childbirth Support】Support from the day you find out you are pregnant

Shimotsuma Uerukamu Baby Support Program

1. Shimotsuma Uerukamu Baby Support Project: 50,000 yen gift for childbirth + 50,000 yen gift for child-rearing support

Benefits are paid in two installments, once after notification of pregnancy and once after notification of the number of fetuses.

給付金(イメージ)

Benefits (image)

2. Shimotsuma City Birth Gift (unique to Shimotsuma City)

50,000 yen per newborn baby

Congratulates the birth of a child who will be responsible for the next generation

A picture book is given as a gift at the 5-month checkup with the message "Happy Birthday! A picture book is given as a gift at the 5-month checkup as a sign of "Happy Birthday!

3) Maternity checkup subsidy

Subsidizes the cost of 14 checkups (maximum 16 checkups)

Pregnant women with multiple births will receive an additional 5 subsidies. 4.

4. subsidies for examination and treatment of infertility

Subsidy up to 50,000 yen per fiscal year

Financial support for those who have suffered another miscarriage

5. subsidies for fertility treatment expenses (advanced medical treatment)

Subsidy amount: Up to 40,000 yen per treatment

Number of times subsidized: 6 times if the wife is under 40 years old, 3 times if the wife is between 40 and 42 years old

6. postpartum care subsidy

Subsidy for up to 5 days per delivery

Co-payment is reduced to 10%.

Full care including health check for mother and child, lactation and childcare counseling, and provision of meals. 7.

Free medical care for expectant mothers (unique to the city)

Free medical care for pregnant and nursing mothers (unique to the city)

Subsidize meals during hospitalization

妊産婦支援(イメージ)

Support for expectant and nursing mothers (image)

Childcare Support】Creating a Safe and Secure Working Environment

1. reduction of childcare fees

Children under 3 years old: Maximum 39,000 yen per month (average 50,300 yen in the prefecture)

Children over 3 years old: Free of charge

Second child (under 3 years old): Half price(*)

Third and subsequent children (under 3 years old): Free of charge (*)

The reduction rate is one of the highest in Ibaraki Prefecture.

(*Limited to cases where all siblings are enrolled in preschool)

2. supplementary meal subsidy

Subsidy of up to 900 yen per month over and above the monthly amount of 3,600 yen

Automatic application for those who use facilities in the city

3. childcare support centers

3. childcare support centers established at three locations in the city

Provide a place where parents and children can play together and interact with other child-rearing generations. 4.

4. subsidies for child vaccinations (unique to the city)

Influenza: 2,000 yen subsidy per dose

Mumps: 3,000 yen subsidy (only once per person) 5.

5. health checkup for 5-year-old children (city original)

Check physical growth and development before school entry

・Consultation by a pediatrician

The consultation by a pediatrician will be enhanced from the conventional developmental consultation for 5-year-olds.

5歳児健診(イメージ)

Medical checkup for 5-year-olds (image)

6. temporary childcare

Fee: 2,000 yen per day

Available for parents' urgent needs

Available up to 14 days per month

7. family support center

Membership-based mutual aid service for childcare

Admission fee: 500 yen, usage fee: 600 yen per hour

Available for children aged 6 months to 12 years old.

8. childcare for sick children

Provided at Ibaraki Prefectural Western Medical Center "Himawari

Fee: 2,000 yen per day (1,000 yen for up to 5 hours)

Fees: 2,000 yen per day (1,000 yen for 5 hours or less)

9. children and family center

Specialized staff members provide consultation and support for childcare concerns and worries.

Reservations can be made in advance through the city's official line.

Consultation services are confidential and safe.

相談窓口(イメージ)

Consultation service (image)

Child Rearing Policy] Creating an English Education Community

1. subsidies for English exam fees

The percentage of junior high school 3rd grade students obtaining level 3 or above is increasing every year.

Levels 1-3: Full subsidy (no co-payment)

Levels 4 and 5: Half subsidy

Up to one subsidy per student in the same fiscal year

2. early English education

We dispatch foreign instructors to help children develop a rich sensibility by exposing them to English in an enjoyable way from early childhood.

(public kindergartens and nursery schools) 3.

Assign ALTs to all elementary and junior high schools

ALTs (Assistant Language Teachers) and teachers teach in a team-teaching style. Increase opportunities to speak English and enhance English education. 4.

SKIP English Camp (Elementary School English Camp) *For those who wish to participate

This is a program for municipal elementary school students (grades 5 and 6) to deepen their English communication skills while having fun by conducting interviews and presentations in groups.

(5) Junior High School English Camp (for those who wish to attend)

The camp is designed to help students improve their English language skills, experience traditional British culture and manners, and develop a sense of being an international person by using the English they have learned so far in a recreated British environment.

6) Joint Elementary and Junior High School English Forum

Through an English presentation competition between elementary and junior high schools, this is an opportunity for students to experience the joy of communicating in English and to improve their ability to communicate their thoughts and ideas.

7. online English exchange

This is an online English exchange program with schools in Japan and overseas. The purpose of this program is to introduce each other's culture and school life through presentations and conversations, and to nurture communication skills.

8. English and Your Future Seminar

Shimotsuma City holds "English and Your Future Seminars" as part of its "English Education Town Development" program. By visiting local companies and interacting with working people who use English, we provide opportunities for children and students to visualize situations in which they will be able to use English in the real world.

Through the experience of communicating in English, we aim to increase children's interest in "working," create opportunities for them to think about their own future visions and careers, and expand their dreams and possibilities.

*The official YouTube channel of Shimotsuma City introduces the "English Education Community Development" with scenes of actual classes. Please take a look.

英語教育編施策

English education section measures

授業風景

Classroom lecture

Mayor's Comment

Under the slogan of "Shimotsuma, a city where people want to continue to live and raise their children," Shimotsuma City has been working to provide seamless support from pregnancy to school age. In 2024, the city implemented a childcare fee reduction program that is one of the highest in the prefecture, setting the maximum monthly fee for children under 3 years old at 39,000 yen, and also offering half-price childcare for the second child and free childcare for the third and subsequent children.

In addition, the city has enhanced its own support measures, such as virtually free medical care for expectant mothers and preschool children and 150,000 yen per newborn child (maternity gift + support gift) through Marufuku, the city's own project.

Furthermore, as a "City of Education," we are nurturing children's ability to play an active role in the international community in the future through measures such as early English education in which children have contact with foreign teachers from early childhood, the assignment of ALTs to all elementary and junior high schools, English camps and online English exchanges for elementary and junior high school students, and subsidies for English exam fees for junior high school students. We are promoting the development of an environment in which English is not only learned as a subject, but is also acquired naturally as a means of communication.

We will continue to steadily implement measures that cater to families raising children, with the three pillars of healthcare, education, and the economy as the core, aiming to realize "a city where people can raise their children with peace of mind and a smile.

Profile of Shimotsuma City, Ibaraki Prefecture

Located in the southwestern part of Ibaraki Prefecture, Shimotsuma City combines nature and urban functions. While being within easy access of Tokyo (approx. 60 km), the city offers a comfortable and comfortable child-rearing lifestyle in a lush green environment with a view of Mount Tsukuba.

Basic Information

Population: 41,107 (as of October 1, 2025)

Area: 80.88 km2 (12.4 km from east to west, 10.9 km from north to south)

Location: Southwestern part of Ibaraki Prefecture, approximately 60 km from Tokyo

Features of Shimotsuma City, Ibaraki Prefecture

Shimotsuma City in Ibaraki Prefecture is a town rich in nature located at the foot of Mount Tsukuba, and combines urban convenience with the richness of nature. While having easy access to commute to the Tokyo area, the city center is home to the Suna-numa Swamp, a relaxing place for citizens to take a leisurely stroll or picnic while enjoying the waterside nature.

In addition, Shimotsuma City is a treasure trove of agricultural and livestock products, producing high-quality agricultural products such as sweet "Shimotsuma pears," high-sugar "melons," and tender, flavorful brand-name pork "Rose Pork. At the "Shimotsuma City Tourism Exchange Center Sanpo no Eki Sun Sunuma" and "Michi no Eki Shimotsuma" located in Sunuma, an abundance of seasonal vegetables and fruits can be found, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the local taste sensation.

This is the kind of town where you can raise your children with peace of mind in an environment where rich nature and urban functions are in harmony. Why not start a new life full of smiles for your family in Shimotsuma?

Access to Shimotsuma City, Ibaraki Prefecture

【Railway

From Moriya Station on the Tsukuba Express, take the Kanto Railway Joso Line to Shimotsuma Station (rapid 30 min., local 40 min.).

From Toride Station on the JR Joban Line, take the Kanto Railway Joso Line to Shimotsuma Station (rapid 50 min. or local 65 min.).

From Shimodate Station on the JR Mito Line, take the Kanto Railway Joso Line to Shimotsuma Station (rapid 15 minutes, ordinary 20 minutes).

Bus】】 From JR Tsuchiura Station

From JR Tsuchiura Station, take the Kanto Railway bus bound for Shimotsuma (75 minutes).

From Tsukuba Station, take the Kanto Railway bus bound for Shimotsuma (55 minutes).

By Car

From Joban Expressway Yawahara Interchange, take Route 294 (40 minutes).

From Sakura-Tsuchiura Interchange, via Tsukuba Science City (Gakuen Higashi Odori Street) (30 minutes)

From Joban Expressway Tsuchiura Kita Interchange, via Route 125 (30 minutes)