Key Facts
• August 25, 2025: Mayor Norihiko Fukuda announced the program expansion.
• Starting September 2026, coverage extends to the fiscal year-end of age 18.
• Co-payment for outpatient visits will be eliminated.
• Current system covers up to 9th grade, with a maximum co-payment of 500 yen per visit.
• Expansion will increase the annual budget by approximately 13 billion yen.
• 33,874 children will benefit from the expanded subsidy.
• Kawasaki and Yokohama are the only cities in Kanagawa Prefecture not covering up to 12th grade.
• Yokohama Mayor Takeharu Yamanaka’s re-election included a pledge to expand coverage.
• Four city council factions submitted a request for expansion on August 18, 2025.
• Mayor Fukuda emphasized the need for a unified national system but cited local competition as a factor.
Summary
Kawasaki Mayor Norihiko Fukuda announced on August 25, 2025, that the city will expand its pediatric medical expense subsidy program starting September 2026. The new policy will extend coverage to the fiscal year-end of age 18 and eliminate co-payments for outpatient visits. This decision, described as a “painful choice,” aims to align Kawasaki with neighboring municipalities, most of which already provide coverage up to 12th grade. The expansion will increase the annual budget by approximately 13 billion yen and benefit 33,874 children. Despite advocating for a unified national system, Mayor Fukuda cited local competition and urban management challenges as reasons for the policy change. The proposal will be submitted to the city council on September 1, 2025.
