"Receive 600,000 Yen upon Marriage!? Conditions and Application Process for the Government's 'New Life Support Program for Newlyweds'"

2019.02.08 published

Consideration to Raise the Cap of the 2020 "New Life Support Program for Marriage"

On September 20, 2020, the Cabinet Office announced that it is considering doubling the subsidy amount for the "New Life Support Program for Marriage" and relaxing income conditions.

In response, "#HouseholdAnnualIncome540Man" has become a trending topic on Twitter, raising significant public interest, but many may be wondering what the "New Life Support Program for Marriage" is, as this might be the first time they've heard of it!

Those who are currently engaged or newly married may be missing out on benefits if they are unaware.

This article will provide a detailed introduction to the current "New Life Support Program for Marriage."

Newlyweds Under 34 Can Receive Up to 300,000 Yen!?

The "New Life Support Program for Marriage" is not a new initiative; it has been in existence since 2016.

Previously, a tweet posted by Komeito's Shunichi Isa in the House of Representatives attracted attention.

twitter 埋め込みコンテンツ

According to this tweet, even now,

☑ Newlyweds under 34 years old

☑ Household income of about 5.3 million yen or less

are eligible to receive 300,000 yen.

*Note that in 2020, this amount will change to "600,000 yen," and the income condition will change to "household income of 5.4 million yen"!

What Exactly is the "New Life Support Program for Marriage"?

The "New Life Support Program for Marriage" started in 2016 as part of measures to combat declining birth rates.

It provides subsidies of up to:

☑ Cost of purchasing a new home

☑ Rent, key money, common service fees, and brokerage fees for a new home

☑ Moving costs to a new home

☑ Moving fees paid to moving and transportation companies

for newlyweds whose both partners are 34 years old or younger and have a household income of less than 3.4 million yen (about 5.3 million yen).

This program is not available to newlyweds across Japan but is limited to 257 municipalities that have adopted the system.

➡ Here is a list of eligible municipalities

Receiving a significant amount of 300,000 yen is an incredible benefit for eligible newlywed couples.

Furthermore, the policy to double this amount to 600,000 yen indicates the government's strong commitment.

But why did such a program start in the first place?

Why Was It Started? Background and Reasons

The Japanese government has set a goal of achieving a "desired birthrate of 1.8" by 2025.

The figure of 1.8 represents the total fertility rate that would be achieved if every woman wishing to have children in Japan gives birth.

The total fertility rate refers to the average number of children a woman would have over her lifetime, and the current total fertility rate in Japan is about 1.4.

This means that the goal is to create a society where, within the next seven years, an average of 0.4 additional children can be born.

In pursuit of the "desired birthrate of 1.8," the government believes it's crucial to create an environment where young people can marry.

They recognize that before childbirth can happen, marriage must first take place.

According to a survey by the Cabinet Office, major obstacles preventing young people from marrying include:

☑ Marriage funds

☑ Housing for marriage

In Japan, over 40% of unmarried individuals state that they cannot marry due to lack of money.

Therefore, to alleviate the economic burden associated with marriage for young couples, the "New Life Support Program for Marriage" was initiated.

It aims to support the costs associated with starting a new life due to marriage (such as rent for a new home and moving costs).

Couples can show receipts or payment details from moving companies or real estate agents to have those expenses covered.

The funding comes from local governments, with the national government subsidizing a portion of the amount, which is why the eligible municipalities are limited.

Current Conditions and Application Process for the "New Life Support Program for Marriage"

◆ Eligibility Criteria ◆

Households that meet the following ① to ④ criteria

① Must register marriage between January 1, 2018, and the date of the municipality's project completion (varies by municipality)

② Household income under 3.4 million yen (about 5.3 million yen, soon to be relaxed to 5.4 million yen)

(However, households repaying student loans can deduct their annual repayment amount from household income)

③ Both partners must be under 34 years old on the marriage date (this will be relaxed to 39 years old in the future)

④ Other requirements set by the municipality

◆ Subsidy Eligibility ◆

Cost of acquiring or renting housing, and moving costs

◆ Subsidy Rate ◆

1/2

◆ Maximum Subsidy Amount ◆

Up to 300,000 yen per household (150,000 yen from the national government and 150,000 yen from the municipality)

(Set to be increased to 600,000 yen in the future)

◆ Deadline ◆

Contact each local government for inquiries

◆ Application Method ◆

Contact each local government for inquiries

Was I Eligible!? Let’s Check!

The "New Life Support Program for Marriage" offers up to 600,000 yen in subsidies for housing-related costs necessary for newlywed life.

Since this system is not widely known, many may be surprised to learn about it.

If you think you might meet the criteria, first check whether your municipality is eligible on the local government website!

@haruno45