Welcome to "Learn Japanese from the News."

Join us as we learn Japanese and about the country, through Japanese news stories.

Today's headline is:

Japan Plans to Open Day Care Centers to All Children.

So it's my impression is that in Japan, many children who go to "hoikuen," these day care centers,

they have to come from a family where their parents or guardians both work.

Yes, in Japan "hoikuen" are positioned as
facilities where parents can leave their kids

during the hours they're unable
to look after them.

Right. Now, before we listen to the story in Japanese, let's go over some key terms.

"hoikuen."

day care center or nursery school.

"azukeru."

to leave or place.

"oya."

parent or parents.

All right, see if you can follow along.

The Japanese government

wants to make it possible for everyone, not just
working parents, to place their children in day care.

They plan to start in about 150 cities
and towns in fiscal year 2024.

This will allow children from 6 months of age
up until they turn 3 years old

to be left in a day care for
up to 10 hours a month.

An expert says,

"There are some families that are unable to ask
those around them for child(-rearing) advice

or are becoming isolated.

Although 10 hours is short,

it is important for these families to build
a relationship with day care centers.

We also need to eliminate problems related to
working conditions for childcare workers."

The government aims to fully implement
this system nationwide by FY 2026.

Yes. Since this story was first published, they've revised the policy,

and the current plan is to allow families to send their children to day care for more than 10 hours a month.

International residents will also be eligible, as long as they're registered with a municipality.

OK, let's review the following sentence from the story.

This will allow children to be left in day care
for up to 10 hours a month.

Now read along with me.

"kodomo o ikkagetsu ni juu-jikan made
azukeru koto ga dekiru yoo ni shimasu."

"Ikkagetsu ni juu-jikan" is often
phrased as "tsuki juu-jikan."

Today we'll learn a few of these
abbreviated phrasings.

So, the sentence from the story could be rephrased as:

"Kodomo o, tsuki juu-jikan made azukeraremasu."

"Kodomo o, tsuki juu-jikan made azukeraremasu."
(You can leave children (in day care) for up to 10 hours a month.)

Now, Chiara, can you abbreviate
"ichi-nen ni san-kai ikimasu?"

That would be...

"nen san-kai ikimasu."

Correct.

So "ichi-nen" becomes "nen,"
"ikkagetsu" becomes "tsuki,"

and "isshuukan" becomes "shuu."

Chiara, can you make
"shuu san-kai" even shorter?

So, that would be... "shuu-san."

So for example, you could say: "Shuu-san de arubaito o shite imasu."

"Shuu-san de arubaito o shite imasu."
(I work part-time three times (days) a week.)

Just as Chiara said, when we're talking
about frequency, as in "shuu san-kai,"

we can omit the "kai" and say "shuu-san."

Bite-size Japan.

Now getting back to the topic of day cares...

one thing I hear my friends with children often say is that, in Japan the childcare system is actually quite hard to navigate.

Yes, it can be.

In Japan there are two types
of day care centers...

Yes. "Ninka-hoikuen" are government-licensed day cares.

These are places that meet official guidelines for size, number of childcare workers, and so on.

They're subsidized, which means that fees are relatively low.

I see. But can international residents also apply for this?

Yes, they can!

Here are some of the criteria for admission.

I see... so, both parents or guardians have to have a reason that they require day care.

So, this includes working a certain number of hours a week, if they're recovering from an illness,

if they're pregnant or during maternity leave, if they're being busy seeking employment (important!), or attending school.

Yes. Now let's hear from an international resident, who has experienced the application process firsthand.

Nguyen Thi Nga uses a "ninka-hoikuen" in Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture.

There's a window for
submitting paperwork.

If you miss it, you may not
be able to apply.

If you want to enroll your child in a "ninka-hoikuen," you must submit an application with your local municipal office.

Although applications are accepted all year round, to enroll your child starting April, when the Japanese school year starts,

you generally must submit by November or December.

My understanding is that

they assign you points based on
factors like your job status.

I had no idea, so that was a surprise.

Nguyen says she didn't know that admission is decided using a point system,

which rates your need for child care based on factors such as working status and family structure.

For example, the more hours you work, the more points you are awarded.

But if you have a healthy grandparent living with you, who can look after your child, you get points subtracted.

When a municipality receives a large number of applications, they give priority to families with a higher number of points.

If you apply but don't get in anywhere, you also have the option of applying to "ninkagai-hoikuen," unlicensed day care centers.

It's worth noting that "unlicensed" doesn't necessarily mean "substandard."

Some may offer more flexibility and a more varied curriculum.

And they accept applicants regardless of level of need for childcare.

I've had students who know enough
Japanese to write academic essays,

but when they applied to day care,
they came across many unfamiliar terms.

Take a look at this. This is an "otayori."

"Otayori" are letters from the day care center
that include announcements and event info.

Here it is enlarged.

Chiara, what does this say?

So, "otomari hoiku."

So, "otomari" means "to stay overnight," so, it's some kind of... sleepover? At the day care center?

Exactly.

It's a one-night sleepover at the day care.
So you'd need to pack pajamas and more.

And this... is something you take to day care every day.

This item is mentioned in the "otayori."
Do you know what it is?

Well, I mean, it's some kind of a notebook...

I've heard of these! This is a "renraku-choo."

Correct.

"Renraku-choo" are used by
the parents and teacher

to keep each other updated
on how a child is doing.

If you leave a note that you want
the teacher to read, say...

"Renraku-choo ni kaita no de kakunin onegaishimasu."

"Renraku-choo ni kaita no de kakunin onegaishimasu."
(I wrote something in the "renraku-choo." Please take a look.)

I think for new and expecting parents, it's very good to know and familiarize themselves with these bits of very specific vocabulary.

Yes. And if you have any questions or concerns about Japanese "hoikuen,"

it's never too early to consult your municipality's "hoiku-ka," Child Care Division or

"kosodate-shien-ka," Child-Rearing Support Division.

OK, that's all for today.

We'll see you next time.

"Mata o-ai shimashoo."
(See you soon.)