Kiyoko Leeder has started receiving the Y13,000 ($154) monthly child benefit that Japan’s ruling Democratic party introduced this year to ease the financial burden on families bringing up children, help economic growth and encourage couples to have more babies.
Ms Leeder, who works full-time as well as being the mother of a one-year-old child, appreciates the extra cash, but has yet to use it. She also says that receiving such benefits would not be a factor in a decision to have another child.
