The bill to provide monthly allowances to families raising children cleared the Upper House on Friday, enabling the ruling Democratic Party of Japan to deliver on a key promise made in last year's election campaign.
Families will now begin receiving a ¥13,000 monthly allowance for every child of junior high school age or younger.
The allowance will be paid three times during fiscal 2010 — in June, October an February — ensuring the first disbursement arrives before the July Upper House election.