The Takarazuka Municipal Government's building is seen in Hyogo Prefecture on Nov. 11, 2021. (Mainichi/Kazuhiro Doi)

       TAKARAZUKA, Hyogo -- This west Japan city's government has decided to use an anonymous 20-million-yen (about $175,000) donation to provide 10,000-yen (about $88) cash handouts for each child in families receiving childcare allowances.

       The anonymous donor told city officials they wanted to help children in single-parent families struggling under the coronavirus pandemic. The municipal government made its decision because a majority of households receiving childcare allowances are single-parent families whose lives are thought to be difficult.

       The person, who said they were born in the city, offered the donation in early July. They were quoted as saying: "While the coronavirus has also affected the economy for a long time, I'm particularly concerned by the plight of single-parent families." The municipal government discussed with them how to support the families, and decided on the way to distribute the aid.

       According to the municipal government, as of the end of March the city had an estimated 2,085 single-parent households. Meanwhile, childcare allowances were given to 1,148 households with 1,681 children by the end of October. The income-based allowance is available to low-earning households.

       The municipal government submitted a general account supplementary budget bill for necessary expenses to the city assembly on Nov. 11. If enacted, the city intends to distribute the aid in March 2022. Because the municipal government is apprised of information including about eligible households, residents do not need to apply for the grant.

       Takarazuka Mayor Harue Yamasaki said: "We appreciate the donation. We will likely be able to support children who we weren't able to reach out to because we couldn't secure funding."

       (Japanese original by Kazuhiro Doi, Takarazuka Resident Bureau)

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