Sano City: child medical expense subsidy
In Sano City, Tochigi 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 Tochigi Prefecture, 25 of 25 municipalities cover outpatient care through age 18, and Sano City is one of them.
Sano City is one of 25 municipalities in Tochigi 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
- 112,988(Resident register, 2024)
- Share under 15
- 11.2%(2020 census)
For applications, refunds and visits outside the prefecture, check the official website of Sano 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 Sano 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 Sano 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 Sano City apply an income limit?
No (as of April 1, 2025).
Do the conditions differ between outpatient and inpatient care in Sano 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 Sano 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 Sano City compare with other municipalities in Tochigi Prefecture?
In Tochigi Prefecture, 25 of 25 municipalities cover outpatient care through age 18, and Sano City is one of them.
Sano City is one of 25 municipalities in Tochigi 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 Sano 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 Tochigi Prefecture: Oyama City, Tochigi City, Ashikaga City, Nasushiobara City, Kanuma City, Moka City, Nikko City, Otawara City
Nursery and after-school club waiting lists in Sano City
Sano City had 0 children on the nursery waiting list as of April 1, 2026 (2,083 applicants, 2,063 enrolled; 3 waiting a year earlier). After-school clubs had 0 children waiting as of May 1, 2026 (preliminary; 2,128 registered).
| Item | Value | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Nursery waiting list | 0 | Apr 1, 2026 |
| Waiting list a year earlier (April 1, 2025) | 3 | Apr 1, 2025 |
| Nursery applicants | 2,083 | Apr 1, 2026 |
| Children enrolled in nurseries | 2,063 | Apr 1, 2026 |
| After-school club waiting list | 0 | May 1, 2026 (prelim.) |
| After-school club registrations | 2,128 | 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 Sano City
Sano City has 176 urban parks (236.5 ha), or 23.0 m² per resident (Rank 4 of 25 in the prefecture). It has 3 libraries, 24 community centers, 17 nursery schools and 16 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 | 176 | Rank 2 of 25 in the prefecture | Mar 31, 2025 |
| Urban park area | 236.5 ha | — | Mar 31, 2025 |
| Urban park area per residentDivided by the population of the city-planning area (MLIT's calculation) | 23.0 m² | Rank 4 of 25 in the prefecture | Mar 31, 2025 |
| Libraries | 3 | Rank 18 of 25 in the prefecture | 2021 |
| Community centers | 24 | — | 2021 |
| Nursery schools | 17 | Rank 17 of 25 in the prefecture | 2023 |
| Kindergartens | 5 | — | 2024 |
| Elementary schools | 16 | — | 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 Sano City
- PopulationResident register, 2024
- 112,988Rank 6 of 25 in the prefecture2024
- Share under 15
- 11.2%Rank 16 of 25 in the prefecture2020 census
- Share 65 and over
- 30.6%2020 census
- Share of foreign residents
- 2.3%2020 census
- Net migration (move-ins minus move-outs)2024. A positive number means more people moved in than moved out
- -23Rank 9 of 25 in the prefecture2024
- Births per 1,000 residents
- 5.2Rank 10 of 25 in the prefecture2023
- Nursery schools
- 172023
- Nursery schools per 1,000 children under 15
- 1.31Rank 17 of 25 in the prefecture2023
- Kindergartens
- 52024
- Elementary schools
- 162024
- Doctors per 10,000 residents
- 19.6Rank 9 of 25 in the prefecture2022
- Clinics per 10,000 residents
- 8.92023
- General hospitals
- 32023
- Owner-occupied homes
- 74.5%2023
- Floor area per dwelling
- 106.6 m²2023
- Fiscal strength indexAbove 1 means local tax revenue covers standard spending
- 0.71Rank 12 of 25 in the prefecture2022
- Restaurants
- 5532021
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 Tochigi Prefecture
| Municipality | Population | Outpatient until | Income limit | Co-payment (outpatient / inpatient) | Nursery waiting list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sano City | 112,988 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Oyama City | 166,874 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Tochigi City | 153,088 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Ashikaga City | 140,055 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Nasushiobara City | 115,611 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Kanuma City | 92,895 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Moka City | 78,284 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Nikko City | 75,281 | Age 18 | No | No / No | 0 |
| Otawara City | 68,053 | 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.