Niikappu Town: child medical expense subsidy
In Niikappu Town, Hokkaido, the child medical expense subsidy covers both outpatient and inpatient care through the end of the fiscal year in which the child turns 15 (end of junior high school). Income limit: yes. 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.
Niikappu Town does not meet coverage through age 18 and no income limit of the three conditions (coverage through age 18, no income limit, no co-payment). In Hokkaido, 124 of 179 municipalities meet all three.
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 15(April 1, 2025)
- Covered until (Inpatient)
- Age 15(April 1, 2025)
- Income limit
- Yes(April 1, 2025)
- Co-payment
- No(April 1, 2025)
- Coverage through age 18
- No (both to Age 15)(April 1, 2025)
- Population
- 5,011(Resident register, 2024)
- Share under 15
- 12.4%(2020 census)
For applications, refunds and visits outside the prefecture, check the official website of Niikappu Town.
Child medical expense subsidy
| Item | Outpatient | Inpatient |
|---|---|---|
| Covered until | Age 15 through the end of the fiscal year in which the child turns 15 (end of junior high school) | Age 15 through the end of the fiscal year in which the child turns 15 (end of junior high school) |
| Income limit | Yes | Yes |
| 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 Niikappu Town subsidize child medical expenses?
Both outpatient and inpatient care are covered through the end of the fiscal year in which the child turns 15 (end of junior high school) (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 Niikappu Town?
No. Outpatient care is covered through the end of the fiscal year in which the child turns 15 (end of junior high school) and inpatient care through the end of the fiscal year in which the child turns 15 (end of junior high school).
Does Niikappu Town apply an income limit?
Yes (as of April 1, 2025).
Do the conditions differ between outpatient and inpatient care in Niikappu Town?
No. Both are covered through the end of the fiscal year in which the child turns 15 (end of junior high school); income limit: yes; co-payment: no.
Has Niikappu Town 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 Niikappu Town compare with other municipalities in Hokkaido?
Niikappu Town does not meet coverage through age 18 and no income limit of the three conditions (coverage through age 18, no income limit, no co-payment). In Hokkaido, 124 of 179 municipalities meet all three.
If I move out of Niikappu Town, 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 Hokkaido: Shintoku Town, Kyowa Town, Taiki Town, Hamanaka Town, Shikaoi Town, Shibetsu Town, Kamishihoro Town, Naie Town
Nursery and after-school club waiting lists in Niikappu Town
Niikappu Town had 0 children on the nursery waiting list as of April 1, 2026 (84 applicants, 84 enrolled; 0 waiting a year earlier). After-school clubs had 0 children waiting as of May 1, 2026 (preliminary; 93 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 | 84 | Apr 1, 2026 |
| Children enrolled in nurseries | 84 | Apr 1, 2026 |
| After-school club waiting list | 0 | May 1, 2026 (prelim.) |
| After-school club registrations | 93 | 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 Niikappu Town
Niikappu Town has 0 urban parks (0.0 ha), or 0.0 m² per resident (Rank 166 of 179 in Hokkaido). It has 0 libraries, 0 community centers, 0 nursery schools and 1 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 | 0 | Rank 166 of 179 in Hokkaido | Mar 31, 2025 |
| Urban park area | 0.0 ha | — | Mar 31, 2025 |
| Urban park area per residentDivided by the population of the city-planning area (MLIT's calculation) | 0.0 m² | Rank 166 of 179 in Hokkaido | Mar 31, 2025 |
| Libraries | 0 | Rank 172 of 179 in Hokkaido | 2021 |
| Community centers | 0 | — | 2021 |
| Nursery schools | 0 | Rank 172 of 179 in Hokkaido | 2023 |
| Kindergartens | 0 | — | 2024 |
| Elementary schools | 1 | — | 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 Niikappu Town
- PopulationResident register, 2024
- 5,011Rank 90 of 179 in Hokkaido2024
- Share under 15
- 12.4%Rank 19 of 179 in Hokkaido2020 census
- Share 65 and over
- 32.9%2020 census
- Share of foreign residents
- 2.8%2020 census
- Net migration (move-ins minus move-outs)2024. A positive number means more people moved in than moved out
- -115Rank 169 of 179 in Hokkaido2024
- Births per 1,000 residents
- 3.6Rank 128 of 179 in Hokkaido2023
- Nursery schools
- 02023
- Nursery schools per 1,000 children under 15
- 0.00Rank 172 of 179 in Hokkaido2023
- Kindergartens
- 02024
- Elementary schools
- 12024
- Doctors per 10,000 residents
- 6.0Rank 129 of 179 in Hokkaido2022
- Clinics per 10,000 residents
- 8.02023
- General hospitals
- 02023
- Owner-occupied homes
- —2023
- Floor area per dwelling
- —2023
- Fiscal strength indexAbove 1 means local tax revenue covers standard spending
- 0.22Rank 99 of 179 in Hokkaido2022
- Restaurants
- 172021
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 Hokkaido
| Municipality | Population | Outpatient until | Income limit | Co-payment (outpatient / inpatient) | Nursery waiting list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niikappu Town | 5,011 | Age 15 | Yes | No / No | 0 |
| Shintoku Town | 5,503 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Kyowa Town | 5,364 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Taiki Town | 5,266 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Hamanaka Town | 5,246 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Shikaoi Town | 4,928 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Shibetsu Town | 4,798 | Age 18 | Yes | No / No | 0 |
| Kamishihoro Town | 4,758 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Naie Town | 4,704 | 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.