News Ichikawa Japan's first city to give premarital couples housing aid

[thomas]

Ichikawa City in Chiba will become the first in Japan to provide housing subsidies not only to newlyweds but also to residents preparing for marriage, including foreign nationals and LGBTQ couples. On 5 February, the Ichikawa Municipal Government launched the initiative to support young couples, encourage settlement in the city, and address declining birth rates. Expanding on an existing national program for newlyweds, the initiative will also offer financial assistance to couples in the premarital stage—an unprecedented move in Japan. For the fiscal year beginning in April, approximately 100 million yen (around $659,000) has been allocated to fund the program.

The program covers two groups: couples renting a home together before marriage and newlyweds renting after marriage. To qualify, both individuals must be aged 39 or younger, have a combined annual income under 6 million yen (about $40,000), and be registered residents of Ichikawa. Subsidies include 50,000 yen (around $330) for initial housing costs, such as security deposits, key money, and brokerage fees, and a monthly subsidy of 20,000 yen (about $130) for rent and service charges, with a maximum annual benefit of 290,000 yen (around $1,900). Couples who receive support before marriage can also apply for subsidies afresh when they rent a home after marriage. Although the program starts in April, it will be retroactively applied to 1 March. Mayor Koh Tanaka shared his hopes for the initiative, stating, "I would be delighted if people think of Ichikawa as a place of freedom."

City to be Japan's 1st giving premarital couples housing aid, incl. LGBTQ, foreign residents - The Mainichi

ICHIKAWA, Chiba -- This city neighboring Tokyo will be the first in Japan to offer housing subsidies not just to newlyweds but also to residents prepa

mainichi.jp