Showa Village: child medical expense subsidy
In Showa Village, Gunma 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 Gunma Prefecture, 35 of 35 municipalities cover outpatient care through age 18, and Showa Village is one of them.
Showa Village is one of 34 municipalities in Gunma 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
- 6,938(Resident register, 2024)
- Share under 15
- 11.5%(2020 census)
For applications, refunds and visits outside the prefecture, check the official website of Showa Village.
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 Showa Village 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 Showa Village?
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 Showa Village apply an income limit?
No (as of April 1, 2025).
Do the conditions differ between outpatient and inpatient care in Showa Village?
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 Showa Village 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 Showa Village compare with other municipalities in Gunma Prefecture?
In Gunma Prefecture, 35 of 35 municipalities cover outpatient care through age 18, and Showa Village is one of them.
Showa Village is one of 34 municipalities in Gunma 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 Showa Village, 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 Gunma Prefecture: Higashiagatsuma Town, Chiyoda Town, Meiwa Town, Tsumagoi Village, Shimonita Town, Kusatsu Town, Naganohara Town, Katashina Village
Nursery and after-school club waiting lists in Showa Village
Showa Village had 0 children on the nursery waiting list as of April 1, 2026 (155 applicants, 155 enrolled; 0 waiting a year earlier). After-school clubs had 0 children waiting as of May 1, 2026 (preliminary; 170 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 | 155 | Apr 1, 2026 |
| Children enrolled in nurseries | 155 | Apr 1, 2026 |
| After-school club waiting list | 0 | May 1, 2026 (prelim.) |
| After-school club registrations | 170 | 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 Showa Village
Showa Village has 2 urban parks (8.4 ha), or 12.0 m² per resident (Rank 16 of 35 in the prefecture). It has 0 libraries, 1 community centers, 3 nursery schools and 3 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 | 2 | Rank 25 of 35 in the prefecture | Mar 31, 2025 |
| Urban park area | 8.4 ha | — | Mar 31, 2025 |
| Urban park area per residentDivided by the population of the city-planning area (MLIT's calculation) | 12.0 m² | Rank 16 of 35 in the prefecture | Mar 31, 2025 |
| Libraries | 0 | Rank 33 of 35 in the prefecture | 2021 |
| Community centers | 1 | — | 2021 |
| Nursery schools | 3 | Rank 3 of 35 in the prefecture | 2023 |
| Kindergartens | 0 | — | 2024 |
| Elementary schools | 3 | — | 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 Showa Village
- PopulationResident register, 2024
- 6,938Rank 26 of 35 in the prefecture2024
- Share under 15
- 11.5%Rank 10 of 35 in the prefecture2020 census
- Share 65 and over
- 32.8%2020 census
- Share of foreign residents
- 6.3%2020 census
- Net migration (move-ins minus move-outs)2024. A positive number means more people moved in than moved out
- +39Rank 4 of 35 in the prefecture2024
- Births per 1,000 residents
- 3.9Rank 19 of 35 in the prefecture2023
- Nursery schools
- 32023
- Nursery schools per 1,000 children under 15
- 3.75Rank 3 of 35 in the prefecture2023
- Kindergartens
- 02024
- Elementary schools
- 32024
- Doctors per 10,000 residents
- 1.4Rank 34 of 35 in the prefecture2022
- Clinics per 10,000 residents
- 2.92023
- General hospitals
- 02023
- Owner-occupied homes
- —2023
- Floor area per dwelling
- —2023
- Fiscal strength indexAbove 1 means local tax revenue covers standard spending
- 0.43Rank 26 of 35 in the prefecture2022
- Restaurants
- 92021
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 Gunma Prefecture
| Municipality | Population | Outpatient until | Income limit | Co-payment (outpatient / inpatient) | Nursery waiting list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Showa Village | 6,938 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Higashiagatsuma Town | 12,061 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Chiyoda Town | 10,848 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Meiwa Town | 10,751 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Tsumagoi Village | 9,073 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Shimonita Town | 6,133 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Kusatsu Town | 6,055 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Naganohara Town | 5,082 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Katashina Village | 3,928 | 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.