The Cabinet on Friday approved a bill to expand the coverage of monthly child allowances to high school-age children as Prime Minister Fumio Kishida aims to stem the sharp drop in Japan's birthrate.Under the plan, the existing income limit for households receiving the benefits will be removed. A new funding scheme will be set up, requiring each person to pay an additional 300 to 500 yen ($2 to $3.3) in the form of monthly health insurance premiums from fiscal 2026.Starting in October 2024, the eligibility to receive 10,000 yen a month will be expanded to those aged between 16 and 18.The cur…READ FULL ARTICLE
