Soma City: child medical expense subsidy
In Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture, the child medical expense subsidy covers both outpatient and inpatient care through the end of the fiscal year in which the child turns 18 (end of high-school age). Income limit: none. Co-payment: none. (As of April 1, 2025, Children and Families Agency survey.) There is no out-of-pocket charge for insured care, so it is effectively free.
In Fukushima Prefecture, 59 of 59 municipalities cover outpatient care through age 18, and Soma City is one of them.
Soma City is one of 59 municipalities in Fukushima Prefecture that meet all three conditions: coverage through age 18 for both outpatient and inpatient care, no income limit, and no co-payment.
Municipalities call this program by different names (小児医療費助成, こども医療費助成, 乳幼児医療費助成, 子育て支援医療). This site uses the national survey's term, "child medical expense subsidy".
- Covered until (Outpatient)
- Age 18(April 1, 2025)
- Covered until (Inpatient)
- Age 18(April 1, 2025)
- Income limit
- No(April 1, 2025)
- Co-payment
- No(April 1, 2025)
- Coverage through age 18
- Yes(April 1, 2025)
- Population
- 32,261(Resident register, 2024)
- Share under 15
- 12.1%(2020 census)
For applications, refunds and visits outside the prefecture, check the official website of Soma City.
Child medical expense subsidy
| Item | Outpatient | Inpatient |
|---|---|---|
| Covered until | Age 18 through the end of the fiscal year in which the child turns 18 (end of high-school age) | Age 18 through the end of the fiscal year in which the child turns 18 (end of high-school age) |
| Income limit | No | No |
| Co-payment | No | No |
No change since April 1, 2024
Source: Children and Families Agency, Survey on Municipal Child Medical Expense Subsidies (municipal form, attachment 3) (As of April 1, 2025). Last checked September 24, 2026
The national survey records conditions as of April 1 and is published in December. Some municipalities have expanded coverage since then. Confirm the current conditions on the municipality's official website.
Frequently asked questions
Until what age does Soma City subsidize child medical expenses?
Both outpatient and inpatient care are covered through the end of the fiscal year in which the child turns 18 (end of high-school age) (as of April 1, 2025).
There is no out-of-pocket charge for insured care, so it is effectively free.
Are high school students covered in Soma City?
Yes. Both outpatient and inpatient care are covered through the end of the fiscal year in which the child turns 18 (the end of the third year of high school).
Does Soma City apply an income limit?
No (as of April 1, 2025).
Do the conditions differ between outpatient and inpatient care in Soma City?
No. Both are covered through the end of the fiscal year in which the child turns 18 (end of high-school age); income limit: no; co-payment: no.
Has Soma City changed its conditions since last year?
No. The national surveys as of April 1, 2024 and April 1, 2025 record the same conditions.
How does Soma City compare with other municipalities in Fukushima Prefecture?
In Fukushima Prefecture, 59 of 59 municipalities cover outpatient care through age 18, and Soma City is one of them.
Soma City is one of 59 municipalities in Fukushima Prefecture that meet all three conditions: coverage through age 18 for both outpatient and inpatient care, no income limit, and no co-payment.
If I move out of Soma City, do the same conditions apply?
No. The subsidy is run by the municipality you live in, so the new municipality's conditions apply. Check its page on this site, and confirm the procedure on that municipality's official website.
Municipalities of similar size in Fukushima Prefecture: Minamisoma City, Nihommatsu City, Kitakata City, Tamura City, Motomiya City, Nishigo Village, Aizumisato Town, Yabuki Town
Nursery and after-school club waiting lists in Soma City
Soma City had 0 children on the nursery waiting list as of April 1, 2026 (534 applicants, 534 enrolled; 0 waiting a year earlier). After-school clubs had 15 children waiting as of May 1, 2026 (preliminary; 630 registered).
| Item | Value | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Nursery waiting list | 0 | Apr 1, 2026 |
| Waiting list a year earlier (April 1, 2025) | 0 | Apr 1, 2025 |
| Nursery applicants | 534 | Apr 1, 2026 |
| Children enrolled in nurseries | 534 | Apr 1, 2026 |
| After-school club waiting list | 15 | May 1, 2026 (prelim.) |
| After-school club registrations | 630 | May 1, 2026 (prelim.) |
"Waiting" follows the national definition: applicants not enrolled, excluding those on parental leave, those who want only a specific facility, and those who have paused their job search. Zero does not guarantee a place at a preferred facility. After-school club figures are preliminary and may be revised.
Source: Children and Families Agency, Summary of Nursery Care Status (April 1, 2026) / Children and Families Agency, Status of After-School Clubs (May 1, 2026, preliminary)
Parks, libraries, community centers and nursery schools in Soma City
Soma City has 17 urban parks (45.6 ha), or 14.7 m² per resident (Rank 21 of 59 in the prefecture). It has 1 libraries, 9 community centers, 5 nursery schools and 9 elementary schools.
Urban parks: MLIT inventory as of March 31, 2025. Libraries and community centers: e-Stat, 2021. Nursery and elementary schools: e-Stat.
| Item | Value | Rank in prefecture | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban parks | 17 | Rank 13 of 59 in the prefecture | Mar 31, 2025 |
| Urban park area | 45.6 ha | — | Mar 31, 2025 |
| Urban park area per residentDivided by the population of the city-planning area (MLIT's calculation) | 14.7 m² | Rank 21 of 59 in the prefecture | Mar 31, 2025 |
| Libraries | 1 | Rank 28 of 59 in the prefecture | 2021 |
| Community centers | 9 | — | 2021 |
| Nursery schools | 5 | Rank 29 of 58 in the prefecture | 2023 |
| Kindergartens | 8 | — | 2024 |
| Elementary schools | 9 | — | 2024 |
Source: MLIT, Inventory of Urban Parks (end of FY2024, as of March 31, 2025) / e-Stat, Statistical Observations of Municipalities 2026 (Statistics Bureau of Japan)
Population, share of children, net migration and doctors in Soma City
- PopulationResident register, 2024
- 32,261Rank 12 of 59 in the prefecture2024
- Share under 15
- 12.1%Rank 14 of 58 in the prefecture2020 census
- Share 65 and over
- 31.0%2020 census
- Share of foreign residents
- 0.5%2020 census
- Net migration (move-ins minus move-outs)2024. A positive number means more people moved in than moved out
- -240Rank 36 of 59 in the prefecture2024
- Births per 1,000 residents
- 4.8Rank 18 of 59 in the prefecture2023
- Nursery schools
- 52023
- Nursery schools per 1,000 children under 15
- 1.19Rank 29 of 58 in the prefecture2023
- Kindergartens
- 82024
- Elementary schools
- 92024
- Doctors per 10,000 residents
- 17.7Rank 11 of 59 in the prefecture2022
- Clinics per 10,000 residents
- 7.12023
- General hospitals
- 22023
- Owner-occupied homes
- 69.6%2023
- Floor area per dwelling
- 112.7 m²2023
- Fiscal strength indexAbove 1 means local tax revenue covers standard spending
- 0.67Rank 11 of 59 in the prefecture2022
- Restaurants
- 1732021
Source: e-Stat, Statistical Observations of Municipalities 2026 (Statistics Bureau of Japan)
"—" means e-Stat has no value for this item (the Housing and Land Survey does not cover towns and villages).
Compare with similar-sized municipalities in Fukushima Prefecture
| Municipality | Population | Outpatient until | Income limit | Co-payment (outpatient / inpatient) | Nursery waiting list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soma City | 32,261 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Minamisoma City | 55,774 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Nihommatsu City | 50,358 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Kitakata City | 43,519 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Tamura City | 32,982 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Motomiya City | 29,712 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Nishigo Village | 20,616 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Aizumisato Town | 18,117 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Yabuki Town | 16,807 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
Outpatient age limit, income limit and co-payment are the national survey values as of April 1, 2025.
Page updated: . You may quote this table. Please credit Machishirabe and the original survey.