外国にルーツを持つ子どもの教育支援 「ことこと」

The Japanese School System

In preparation

Up to What Age Do Child Fares for Public Transportation Apply?

Fees for public transportation such as trains, buses, and planes are different for adults and children. Up to what age do “child” fares apply?

Up to What Age Do “Child” Fares Apply?

Public transportation fees vary depending on age. Age groups vary depending on the type of transportation and service. Here is some information on fees for trains and buses. Age groups for trains and buses are “adult”, “child”, “toddler” and “infant”.

“Adult” fares apply to those who are 12 years old or older, except if the child is still in elementary school in which case they still pay the “child” fare. 12-year-olds need to start paying for the “adult” fare on April 1st of their first year of middle school. “Child” fares apply to children 6 years old through 12 years old, except if the child is not in elementary school yet, in which case they still pay the “toddler” fare. “Adult” refers to middle school students and above, “child” refers to elementary school students, “toddler” refers to pre-school children 1 year old and older, and “infant” refers to children under 1 year old.

Fare Varies Depending on the Number of People Using the Service:

Below are the cases that you need to pay attention to when riding trains and buses.

◯ When an “toddler” (pre-school child 1 year old and older) is riding alone:

A “child” fee will be charged.

◯ When a parent is riding with 3 or more children:

If a parent is riding a train or bus with 3 or more children, the first two are free, a “child” fare must be paid for the rest.

As a child under 1 year old is always free, there is no fee charged even if you have 3 or more children that are under 1 year old.

Other Fares:

◯ Shinkansen and express trains:

When riding shinkansen or express trains with an infant or toddler on your lap without using a seat for them, the infant/toddler can ride for free. Note that “child” fares apply when using a seat for an infant/toddler. If a 3rd infant/toddler uses a seat, then train tickets, limited express tickets and reserved seat tickets must be paid with a “child” fare.

◯ Planes:

For planes, “child” fares are required if a child is 3 years old or older. An adult can have a child (toddler or infant) that is 8 days to 2 years old on their lap free of charge. If an adult is riding with two children, a child fee will apply for the second child.

The fare specifications for “adult” and “child” differ depending on the type of public transportation. Check each company’s website or contact their office if it is difficult to understand their fare specifications.

Protecting Children on Their Way To and From School – “IKaNoOSuShi”

Children go to and from school and lessons alone once they enter elementary school. Unfortunately, children sometimes become a victim of crime while on their way. To protect children, it is important to raise their crime prevention awareness.

Acronym to Remember – “IKaNoOSuShi”

“IKaNoOSuShi” is a word created by the Tokyo Board of Education and Metropolitan Police Department to protect children.

・知しらない　人ひとに　ついて　「いか」ない(IKa) = (Ikanai) Don’t follow people you don’t know

・知しらない　人ひとの　車くるまに　「の」らない (No) = (Noranai) Don’t get in a stranger’s car

・助たすけてと　「お」お声ごえを　出だす(O) = (Oogoe) Shout out for help

・連つれて　行いかれ　そうに　なったら　「す」ぐ　逃にげる(Su) = (Sugu nigeru) Run away immediately　if you feel like you’re about to be taken away

・近ちかくの　大人おとなに　何なにが　あったかを　「し」らせる(Shi) = (Shiraseru) Tell a nearby adult what happened

It is a word that is easy for small children to remember. Talk about it at home and avoid putting your child in danger.

Check the School Route and Learn How to Use a Personal Safety Alarm

Walk the way to school with your child and see if there are any dangerous places. Some places can become dangerous from dusk to night. Try to walk at different times of day. Also think together with your child about how to respond in case of emergency. Have your child practice how to use a personal safety alarm so they can get used to it.

Adults may want to regularly talk to the neighborhood children, and raise crime prevention awareness in the community to keep children safe.

How to Spend Spring Break

In Japan, students have spring break for about 10 days to 2 weeks, from the end of March to the beginning of April. Here are some tips on how to spend spring break.

The School Year Ends in March

In Japan, the school year starts in April and ends in March of the following year. Spring break starts when the school year ends in March and lasts until the start of the next school year in April. Spring break is a period when students review what they have learned in previous grades, organize their belongings and get ready for the new school year.

Old Textbooks and School Supplies

Students can go through their textbooks and school supplies from the past year, before the start of the next school year. As some textbooks are used for more than one year, be careful not to get rid of them by mistake. Other old textbooks can be disposed of or kept for reviewing. While going through school supplies, students can clean and organize them, and add what is missing.

Check for Size Changes

Indoor shoes and gym clothes may have gotten too small. Check to see if anything is getting smaller. Also, students’ names on their belongings need to be updated with changes in grades or classes（Writing your pupil’s name on their belongings）.

Maintaining a Daily Rhythm

Long vacations are also a period when routines tend to be disrupted. Because students get back to a school-centered lifestyle as soon as the new school year starts in early April, they should try to maintain their daily rhythm so they can easily adjust back to a school-day routine.

“Kodomo-Shokudou” – Children’s Cafeteria

Children’s cafeteria, (“kodomo-shokudou” in Japanese), are places that children can visit on their own to eat. Their meals are provided for free or at a low price.

What Are Kodomo-Shokudou Like?

Kodomo-shokudou are led by local volunteers and/or local governments and provide free or inexpensive meals to children in the community. Children can use this service on their own. The purpose of kodomo-shokudou is to help all children to get enough nutrition through their meals, as well as to provide a place where they can be supported by their community instead of staying home alone. In some communities, kodomo-shokudou also provide services that support families with foreign roots, including Japanese language classes.

Who Can Use Kodomo-Shokudou?

Kodomo-shokudou are available to children living in the community and their guardians. Some kodomo-shokudou may have different fees for children and adults. There are also some communities that offer the services for adults living in the community even if they have no children.

Where Are Kodomo-Shokudou Located?

Kodomo-shokudou are located in many different locations. Check your local government’s website to find the information. There is also a website where you can search for a kodomo-shokudou in your area:

Gaccom x Musubie Kodomo-Shokudou MAP

Kodomo-shokudou are also places where children can get to know people in their community. It may be a good idea to try using the service with your children if there is one in the community where you live.

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How to Use the Library: A Place of Endless Books

Libraries are places where a lot of resources are kept, including books, newspapers, magazines, CD’s and DVD’s. Most areas in Japan have a library that anyone can use for free. You can do research with the resources you find. There are many events held at the library, such as story time for children, and study sessions for adults.

How Do You Use The Library?

Public libraries can be used by anyone, and most resources can be checked out. However, the ability to check out books is limited to those who live, go to school, or work in that area. To be able to check out books, you need a library card, which you can get at the front desk. Some form of identification that shows your address will be required to apply for a library card.

When Is the Library Open?

In most cases, public libraries are open 10:00 – 18:00, Tuesday through Sunday. You might be able to return the book you checked out by dropping it off at the dedicated return window, even if the library is closed. Check with the library to see if such a system exists. Libraries are closed on Mondays and New Year’s holidays.

How Can You Find the Book You Want to Read?

If there is a book you would like to read, you can search for it on the library’s website or by using the dedicated device in the library. You can also put a book on hold online. In addition, some libraries give book recommendations according to the season and theme.

Libraries also have children’s books and picture-story materials available. It may be fun to visit a library with your child.

Refund of Children’s Medical Expenses Subsidy

In Japan, some children’s medical expenses are refundable. If your child does not have the “medical certificate issued under children’s medical expenses subsidy system, maru-nyu, maru-ko, or maru-a-o”, apply for it before claiming a refund.

Reimbursement can be claimed when your child goes to see a doctor outside the area where you live, or when you pay the co-payment for health insurance treatment without presenting your child’s medical certificate. Whether standard meal cost for hospitalization is eligible for a refund or not varies by local government.

Examples of Medical Expenses That Can Be Refunded (Claimed for Refund)

1. If you visit a medical institution outside Tokyo, and pay the co-payment for health insurance treatment
2. If you visit a medical institution that does not handle medical certificates, and pay the co-payment for health insurance treatment
3. If you visit a doctor without a medical certificate, and pay the co-payment for health insurance treatment
4. If your child’s registration for National Health Insurance/National Health Insurance Association is outside Tokyo, and you pay the co-payment for health insurance treatment
5. If you visit a doctor without your child’s health insurance card, and there is coverage from the health insurance
6. If you purchase an assistive device (glasses for pediatric amblyopia, corset, insoles/sole braces, etc.), and there is coverage from the health insurance
7. If you receive treatment abroad, and there is coverage from the health insurance
Eligible medical expenses are the co-payment amount for health insurance treatment. Medical treatment not covered by health insurance (free medical treatment) is not subsidized.

Examples of Non-eligible Medical Expenses

Some medical expenses are not covered by the subsidy.
-Expenses for dietary treatment for inpatients (for maru-nyu)
-Expenses not covered by health insurance
(vaccination, health check, extra bed charge, medicine container fee, first visit fee for large hospitals without a referral letter from another medical institution, etc.)
-Expenses for treatment covered by Japan Sport Council Injury and Accident Mutual Aid Benefit System
-High-cost medical expenses and additional benefits, paid by health insurance
-Medical expenses in case of injury due to the actions of a third party, such as a traffic accident
-Medical expenses applicable to the other publicly-funded subsidies

What You Need for Your Application

When applying for medical expense subsidies, you will need the following materials:
-Child medical subsidy payment application form
-Receipt (original)
* with patient’s name, insurance score, date of medical treatment, medical institution name, receipt amount (if these items are not listed, have it filled out at the medical institution where you had a medical examination). You can also apply with a copy of the receipt, only if the original was submitted for health insurance procedures.
-Copy of identity verification documents with a photo of the guardian listed on the medical certificate (driver’s license, my number card, etc.)
-Copy of child health insurance card
* when applying for the first time or when there are changes from previous applications.
-Copy of passbook or cash card of your banking facility
* when applying for the first time or when there are changes from previous applications.
** parent’s name listed on the medical certificate. Payment will not be made to an account other than the parent’s account listed on the medical certificate.
-Payment decision notice from health insurance (only those who are applicable to item 5, 6 or 7 above. Original required if applicable)
-Copy of credit limit certificate (if applicable)
-Copy of recipient certificate for pediatric chronic specified disease medical expenses subsidy/monthly management slip (if applicable)

There may be other items required if you fall under 5, 6 or 7 of “Example of Medical Expenses That Can Be Refunded (Claimed for Refund)”. Check with your local government office.

High-cost medical expenses payment decision notice is only required for those who are members of the National Health Insurance or National Health Insurance Association, and have a receipt corresponding to high-cost medical expenses. High-cost medical expenses complies with regulations when medical expenses for National Health Insurance benefits become high (High-cost medical care benefit payment decision notification is not required, if you are a member of a social insurance/mutual aid association)

A qualified recipient can make a refund claim for multiple receipts, which may include receipts from different medical facilities or receipts for different months.

Note that claims for more than one child need to be made separately. Claim deadline is 5 years from the day after the day of medical payment.

Claim Application Location and Refund Money Transfer

Applications should be made at the local government office in the area where you live. If there are no defects in the application, the refund will be made to the designated account. Although the procedure may seem time consuming, be sure to apply if you are eligible.

Let’s Visit Art Galleries, Museums and Libraries!

There are many art galleries, museums and libraries run by Japanese local governments. These places can help enrich children’s spirits, and we recommend that you take advantage of them.

What are the Art Galleries and Museums Like?

The art galleries are places where various types of artwork, such as paintings and sculptures, are exhibited. At the museums, you will see many types of items related to history, culture, nature and industries of the region that have been collected for exhibition. There are different types of art galleries and museums, including galleries that display artwork created by an artist with some connection to the region, and museums with exhibits related to the nature and industries specific to the region. Some places offer workshops and study sessions in addition to exhibits. Check their website for information. An entrance fee is usually required to visit any art galleries and museums.

What are the Libraries Like?

At the libraries, you can find various types of informational materials, such as books, magazines, DVD’s, and CD’s. Children’s books and picture books are also available. You can also check out these materials by following necessary procedure. Some libraries offer story time for children. The public libraries are usually free of charge.

Use the Facilities in Your Region

Places like art galleries, museums and libraries stimulate children’s intellectual curiosity. Visiting these places is also an opportunity for children to get to know the area they live in. Consider visiting the facilities in your area with your children.

“School Counselors” – Professionals to Whom Children and Their Parents Can Ask for Advice on Their School Related Problems/Concerns

Japanese schools have school counselors. School counselors are professionals that work with students and their parents to deal with any issues that they may be facing. People can talk to counselors about various issues relating to the student, such as their school life, relationships with their friends, and parenting.

Roles of School Counselors

School counselors are there to help improve students’ and their parents’ mental healthcare. Students and their parents can tell their school counselors about any situation surrounding the student, including refusing to go to school, bullying, mistreatment, and issues learning. The counselors are there to collect the information they need before they can offer advice and assistance to the student and their family.

How To Meet With the School Counselor

Seeing a counselor is different at each school. You may have a regular schedule for counseling sessions, or you may go to the counseling office only as needed. Check with your school office for information on how to see your counselor.

Do Not Hesitate to See the Counselor Even on Minor Issues

Problems surrounding children can sometimes be difficult to talk about. You may also feel that the issue is too small to matter. Yet, small things can sometimes help solve big problems. Feel free to talk to your school counselor if you have any concerns or anxieties.