Toshimitsu Motegi, the secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party, has said the income limit for parents to receive child allowances should be removed to support the growth of all children.
The government has been considering expanding the child allowance system.
Speaking at a House of Representatives interpellation on Wednesday, Motegi also said, "Increasing allowances for households with many children should also be positively considered."
Kishida responded by saying, "Implementing policies related to children and child-rearing is the most effective investment toward the future." However, he stopped short of suggesting concrete plans for the expansion of the system.
Coalition partner Komeito also is seeking the repeal of the income limit. Members of the LDP have suggested increasing the monthly allowance to a maximum of 30,000 yen for a second child and to a maximum of 60,000 yen for a third and subsequent children.
Currently, 10,000 yen to 15,000 yen per month is paid for each child up to junior high school age, in principle. However, the allowance is reduced to 5,000 yen if the family's main breadwinner earns 9.6 million yen or more annually.
Households in which one family member has an annual income of 12 million yen or more are not eligible.
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