Japan's National Health Insurance 50% cut in the per-capita premium for children — coverage extended from preschool children to high-school age
Source material is a Japanese government announcement (in Japanese); this page is a summary.
From 1 April 2027, Japan extends the 50% reduction of the National Health Insurance per-capita premium (or tax) for children from preschool children to high-school age.
Key facts
| Governing law | Act for Partial Amendment of the Health Insurance Act and Other Acts (Act No. 31 of Reiwa 8) — promulgated 5 June 2026 |
|---|---|
| Premium concerned | The per-capita premium (or tax) levied under National Health Insurance according to the number of insured persons |
| Size of the reduction | 50% (half) of the per-capita premium (or tax) attributable to children |
| Extension of coverage | Preschool children → high-school age |
| Effective date | 1 April 2027 (1 April Reiwa 9) — the date stated for this measure (item 2③, reduction of the premium burden on child-raising households) in the ministry's table "健康保険法等の一部を改正する法律の各施行日" |
| Other effective dates under the same Act | Clarification of the factors to be considered under the high-cost medical expense benefit system = 1 August 2026 / Clarification of the Japan Health Insurance Association's duties regarding health promotion projects and the special reduction in national subsidy to the Association = date of promulgation / Creation of partially non-insured medical services = within one year of promulgation (1 March Reiwa 9 envisaged) / Strengthened support for pregnancy and childbirth and reduced financial burden of prenatal check-ups = within two years of promulgation / Reflection of financial income under the medical care system for the latter-stage elderly = within five years of promulgation. The materials state that where an effective date is not a fixed date, it is to be set separately by cabinet order. |
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The Act for Partial Amendment of the Health Insurance Act and Other Acts (Act No. 31 of Reiwa 8), promulgated on 5 June 2026 (Reiwa 8), extends the measure that reduces by 50% the per-capita premium (or tax) charged for children under National Health Insurance, widening its coverage from preschool children to high-school age. The per-capita premium (均等割保険料) is the portion of the National Health Insurance premium levied according to the number of insured persons. Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare materials present this item as a "reduction of the premium burden on child-raising households." The ministry's published table of individual effective dates for the Act (健康保険法等の一部を改正する法律の各施行日) states that this measure (item 2③, reduction of the premium burden on child-raising households) takes effect on 1 April Reiwa 9, that is, 1 April 2027.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
Summaries reflect national-level programs. Municipal (city/ward/town) programs may differ — confirm with the official desk before applying.
FAQ
What is the per-capita premium?
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare materials describe the per-capita premium as the portion of the National Health Insurance premium levied according to the number of insured persons. This amendment widens the range of children for whom that premium is halved.
Who is covered at present?
The materials state that the current coverage is preschool children and that coverage after the extension reaches high-school age. No further breakdown by age or description of the application procedure appears in these materials.
Does this amending Act contain anything else?
The outline of the amendment given in the materials also includes the creation of partially non-insured medical services for treatment using drugs that are especially substitutable with OTC medicines; a measure to reflect financial income such as dividends on listed shares fairly in premium calculation and in determining the co-payment rate under the medical care system for the latter-stage elderly; a review of the benefit structure for childbirth; and clarification of the Japan Health Insurance Association's duties regarding health promotion projects. Each item has its own effective date.