Tokyo plans to include the funds for the new programme in its budget for fiscal 2023 and begin providing the cash by the end of the year.

According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the cost of education in the Japanese capital exceeds the national average by approximately US$38 per student per month, and the US$38 cash handout will go toward making up the difference.

There are approximately 2 million Tokyo residents aged 18 and younger, which translates to an education support budget of about US$920 million per year if the benefit is universally applied.

“The population problem is the very foundation of nation-building. We must not wait for the national government to take action, but must take the lead in enhancing specific measures.” Koike said in a New Year’s speech to Metropolitan Government staff.

Since becoming governor in 2004, Koike has made support for children a priority policy and has worked on many measures to that end, such as alleviating the shortage of day care centres.

Along with the implementation of the “Babies First” program in fiscal 2022, which hands out US$760 gift cards to parents whose children were born after January 2009 to be used on child care items, Koike established the Office of Child Policy Coordination, which overseas policies related to children for the Tokyo government.