Japan Hoikuen Points Decoded: Calculate Your Score Before You Apply

Information current as of April 2026 based on point system tables published by Arakawa Ward (Tokyo), Toshima Ward (Tokyo), and Shinagawa Ward (Tokyo) public cutoff data. Each municipality has its own table — these are representative of Tokyo wards but your city's exact numbers will differ.

The index system is the most opaque part of the daycare process. Cities publish their tables, but the tables are dense Japanese with specialized terms. Foreign families regularly submit applications without understanding their own score, then are confused when they don't get in.

The system has two parts: the basic index (基本指数), which scores your work/study/care situation, and the adjustment index (調整指数), which adds bonuses for special circumstances. Both parents are scored separately for the basic index, then adjustments apply to the household.

Part 1: Basic index (基本指数)

Each parent gets a score based on their reason for needing childcare. Both parents are scored independently, then summed.

Working outside the home (居宅外労働)

Hours/week	Approximate score (per parent)
40+ hours (full-time)	20
32–39 hours	19
28–31 hours	18
20–27 hours	17
16–19 hours	16
12–15 hours	15
Under 12 hours	Often ineligible

Most cities require a minimum of 48–64 hours/month to qualify at all. Below that threshold, you can't apply.

Other qualifying reasons

Reason	Approximate score
Self-employed working outside home (full-time)	19–20
Self-employed working at home (full-time)	17–18
Student (full-time)	20
Student (part-time)	16–18
Maternity leave / pregnancy	16–18 (temporary, time-limited)
Childbirth (within 8 weeks)	16
Caring for sick family member	16–20 depending on care level
Long-term illness (the parent)	16–20 depending on illness severity
Disability	16–20 depending on disability level
Job hunting (active)	8–12 (very low — see below)

Job hunting is the lowest-scoring valid reason. If you're using "求職活動" as your reason, you'll struggle to get a spot in competitive areas. The city expects you to find a job within the first few months and submit an updated employment certificate.

Example: dual full-time household

• Parent A: 40 hours/week outside work = 20 points
• Parent B: 40 hours/week outside work = 20 points
• Basic total: 40 points

This is a typical "starting line" for competitive Tokyo wards. Adjustments determine whether you actually get in.

Part 2: Adjustment index (調整指数)

Adjustments are added (or rarely subtracted) from your basic total. The exact list varies by city, but here are the most common adjustments:

Family situation adjustments

Situation	Adjustment
Single parent (ひとり親世帯)	+3 to +5
Sibling already enrolled at same daycare	+1 to +3
Sibling at any licensed daycare in same city	+1 to +2
Twins or triplets applying together	+1 to +2
Child with disability	+1 to +3
Foster child (里子)	+1 to +3
Grandparent in same household over 65	0 to -2 (some wards penalize this)
Grandparent in same city, healthy, under 65	0 to -2 (some wards penalize this)

Employment/economic adjustments

Situation	Adjustment
Currently using unlicensed daycare (認可外)	+1 to +2
Currently using ベビーシッター (babysitter) regularly	+1 (some wards)
Returning from childcare leave	+1 to +2
Both parents work in the same municipality	+1 (some wards)
Low income (住民税非課税世帯)	+1 to +3
Welfare recipient (生活保護)	+3 to +5
Recently laid off, actively job-hunting	0 to +1

Special circumstances

Situation	Adjustment
Domestic violence shelter	+5 to +10 (high priority)
Earthquake/disaster relocation	+1 to +5
Foreign-resident parents (some wards offer language-support adjustment)	0 to +1 (rare, varies)

How to maximize your score legally

Most foreign families miss adjustment points they're entitled to. Here's how to capture them:

1. Document any unlicensed daycare or babysitter use

If you've been using a 認可外 daycare or a regular babysitter while waiting for a licensed spot, this counts. Get a 在籍証明書 (zaiseki shoumeisho — enrollment certificate) from the unlicensed facility, or pay records from the babysitter service. Submit with your application.

2. List a sibling's school correctly

If your older child is already in a city daycare or kindergarten, list them on the application — and apply to the same daycare as your top choice. Sibling priority (兄弟児加点) adds 1–3 points and dramatically improves your chances.

3. Get the correct working hours documented

Your employer may write something generic like "正社員" (regular employee) on the certificate, but the city wants specific weekly/monthly hours. If your employment certificate says "30 hours/week" instead of your actual "40 hours/week," you'll lose points. Verify before submitting.

4. If you're self-employed, document properly

Self-employment is often scored lower than employment by default. Counter this by:

• Submitting your 開業届 (business opening notification) showing established business
• Submitting last year's 確定申告書 (tax return) showing income
• Submitting client contracts or invoices showing ongoing work
• Documenting that you work outside the home (rent a coworking space, client visits, etc.) — outside work scores higher than at-home work

5. Don't list grandparents on the household (if you can avoid it)

Some wards penalize having a healthy grandparent in the same household or even nearby — the assumption is that grandma can babysit. If your in-laws don't actually live with you, don't list them.

6. If you have a disability or chronic illness, get certification

The 障害者手帳 (disability certificate) or a doctor's certificate documenting a chronic illness can add points. If you've never applied for the disability certificate but qualify, this is the time.

Tiebreakers: when scores are equal

Many applicants have the same total score (especially in competitive wards). Tiebreakers determine who gets in. Common rules:

1. Lower household income wins — The city assumes lower-income families have higher need
2. Longer residence in the city wins — How long you've been registered at the current address
3. Lower current childcare arrangement wins — A family with no childcare beats a family using paid private childcare
4. Longer childcare leave used wins — Some wards prioritize parents nearing the end of their parental leave
5. Dual single-parent or both working full-time wins over single full-time

The exact order varies by ward. Read your city's tiebreaker rules carefully — they're often listed at the end of the point system table.

Sample cutoff scores (Tokyo wards, for reference)

These are approximate, based on recent published data. Your year and exact score will vary.

Ward	Typical 0-year cutoff	Typical 1-year cutoff	Typical 3-year cutoff
Setagaya (central areas)	40+ +adj	40+ +adj (very competitive)	Lower
Suginami (central areas)	40+ +adj	40+ +adj	Lower
Minato	40+ +adj	40+ +adj (very competitive)	Lower
Shibuya	40 +adj	40+ +adj	Lower
Edogawa	40	40 +1-2 adj	Generally available
Adachi (most areas)	40	40	Generally available

Outside Tokyo: In most municipalities, a dual-full-time household (40 points basic) is well above the cutoff. The point system matters less because there's available capacity.

For ward-specific data: Tokyo 23 Wards Daycare Guide →

How to find your specific city's table

Your city's point system table is the only one that actually applies to you. To find it:

1. Search for: [city name] 保育園 利用調整基準 (e.g., "渋谷区 保育園 利用調整基準")
2. Or pick up the 保育のごあんない booklet at your city/ward office
3. The table is usually 1–3 pages, structured similarly to the examples above

If you can't read the Japanese table, take a photo and use Google Lens or DeepL camera mode to translate it. Or ask a LO-PAL helper to walk through it with you.

Related Articles

• Japan Daycare Guide: Pillar Overview
• Hoikuen Application Step-by-Step
• 5 Daycare Types Compared
• Tokyo 23 Wards Daycare Comparison

Need More Help? Ask on LO-PAL

Want someone to read your city's point table with you and calculate your score before you apply? Or check whether you're missing adjustment points you're entitled to? LO-PAL matches you with a local helper who knows the system. Post your request and get matched.