Hikawa Town: child medical expense subsidy
In Hikawa Town, Kumamoto 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 Kumamoto Prefecture, 45 of 45 municipalities cover outpatient care through age 18, and Hikawa Town is one of them.
Hikawa Town is one of 43 municipalities in Kumamoto 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
- 10,742(Resident register, 2024)
- Share under 15
- 10.9%(2020 census)
For applications, refunds and visits outside the prefecture, check the official website of Hikawa Town.
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 Hikawa Town 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 Hikawa Town?
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 Hikawa Town apply an income limit?
No (as of April 1, 2025).
Do the conditions differ between outpatient and inpatient care in Hikawa Town?
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 Hikawa 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 Hikawa Town compare with other municipalities in Kumamoto Prefecture?
In Kumamoto Prefecture, 45 of 45 municipalities cover outpatient care through age 18, and Hikawa Town is one of them.
Hikawa Town is one of 43 municipalities in Kumamoto 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 Hikawa 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 Kumamoto Prefecture: Nagasu Town, Ashikita Town, Asagiri Town, Yamato Town, Kashima Town, Nishiki Town, Minamiaso Village, Kosa Town
Nursery and after-school club waiting lists in Hikawa Town
Hikawa Town had 0 children on the nursery waiting list as of April 1, 2026 (194 applicants, 194 enrolled; 0 waiting a year earlier). After-school clubs had 0 children waiting as of May 1, 2026 (preliminary; 150 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 | 194 | Apr 1, 2026 |
| Children enrolled in nurseries | 194 | Apr 1, 2026 |
| After-school club waiting list | 0 | May 1, 2026 (prelim.) |
| After-school club registrations | 150 | 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 Hikawa Town
Hikawa Town has 1 urban parks (4.2 ha), or 3.8 m² per resident (Rank 26 of 45 in the prefecture). It has 1 libraries, 2 community centers, 6 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 | 1 | Rank 29 of 45 in the prefecture | Mar 31, 2025 |
| Urban park area | 4.2 ha | — | Mar 31, 2025 |
| Urban park area per residentDivided by the population of the city-planning area (MLIT's calculation) | 3.8 m² | Rank 26 of 45 in the prefecture | Mar 31, 2025 |
| Libraries | 1 | Rank 5 of 45 in the prefecture | 2021 |
| Community centers | 2 | — | 2021 |
| Nursery schools | 6 | Rank 11 of 45 in the prefecture | 2023 |
| Kindergartens | 3 | — | 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 Hikawa Town
- PopulationResident register, 2024
- 10,742Rank 23 of 45 in the prefecture2024
- Share under 15
- 10.9%Rank 29 of 45 in the prefecture2020 census
- Share 65 and over
- 38.7%2020 census
- Share of foreign residents
- 1.4%2020 census
- Net migration (move-ins minus move-outs)2024. A positive number means more people moved in than moved out
- -27Rank 16 of 45 in the prefecture2024
- Births per 1,000 residents
- 4.8Rank 28 of 45 in the prefecture2023
- Nursery schools
- 62023
- Nursery schools per 1,000 children under 15
- 4.98Rank 11 of 45 in the prefecture2023
- Kindergartens
- 32024
- Elementary schools
- 32024
- Doctors per 10,000 residents
- 13.0Rank 25 of 45 in the prefecture2022
- Clinics per 10,000 residents
- 7.42023
- General hospitals
- 12023
- Owner-occupied homes
- —2023
- Floor area per dwelling
- —2023
- Fiscal strength indexAbove 1 means local tax revenue covers standard spending
- 0.28Rank 27 of 45 in the prefecture2022
- Restaurants
- 292021
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 Kumamoto Prefecture
| Municipality | Population | Outpatient until | Income limit | Co-payment (outpatient / inpatient) | Nursery waiting list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hikawa Town | 10,742 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Nagasu Town | 15,220 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Ashikita Town | 14,877 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Asagiri Town | 14,058 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Yamato Town | 12,887 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Kashima Town | 10,254 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Nishiki Town | 10,033 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Minamiaso Village | 10,026 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Kosa Town | 9,948 | 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.