NationalEducation
School Attendance Assistance
就学援助
In short: Municipal help with school costs for elementary and junior high students in financial difficulty.Guardians of school-age children recognized as having financial difficulty: those on public assistance (要保護) and those the municipal board of education judges to be in similar hardship (準要保護). Criteria set by each municipality.(Source: www.mext.go.jp, verified on 2026-10-15)
Validity: Current as of 2026-10-15 (FY2026 / Reiwa 8); source page live on that date. Verified on 2026-10-15. Official source: https://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/shotou/career/05010502/017.htm
- Municipal income criteria and items covered
- Residence-status rule — not stated on source; confirm with office.
Who qualifies
- Guardians of school-age children recognized as having financial difficulty: those on public assistance (要保護) and those the municipal board of education judges to be in similar hardship (準要保護). Criteria set by each municipality. [official source · verified on 2026-10-15]
Conditions by topic
| Age | Not stated in the sources we checked — confirm with the office. |
|---|---|
| Income | Criteria for 準要保護 are set by each municipality. [official source · verified on 2026-10-15] |
| Household | Not stated in the sources we checked — confirm with the office. |
| Child age | School-age children (elementary and junior high). [official source · verified on 2026-10-15] |
| Residence in Japan | Not stated in the sources we checked — confirm with the office. |
| Residence in Tokyo / municipality | Not stated in the sources we checked — confirm with the office. |
| Work / insurance type | Not stated in the sources we checked — confirm with the office. |
| Disability | Not stated in the sources we checked — confirm with the office. |
Residence status
Not stated in the official sources we checked — unknown.
Where to apply
- Your municipality / board of education. [official source · verified on 2026-10-15]
Find addresses in the office finder.
Deadlines
Not yet verified from an official source.
Documents
Not yet verified from an official source.
Phone / counter phrases
すみません、就学援助について伺いたいのですが、対象になるか、何を持っていけばよいか教えていただけますか。
Sumimasen, shūgaku enjo ni tsuite ukagaitai no desu ga, taishō ni naru ka, nani o motte ikeba yoi ka oshiete itadakemasu ka.
Hello. I would like to ask about school attendance assistance. Am I eligible, and what should I bring?
すみません、もう少しゆっくり話していただけますか。
Sumimasen, mō sukoshi yukkuri hanashite itadakemasu ka.
Sorry, could you please speak a little more slowly?
Generic phrases for practical help, not official wording.