The details of Nishinomiya City’s implementation of the national “temporary grant for measures against rising prices” have been announced～.
(This information was provided by Hank-san)
Here it is↓
西宮市、物価高対策でおこめ券配布や給食費補助 水道料金減免も 国の支援交付金を充当https://t.co/GO0Q9In1Tn
兵庫県西宮市は１６日、物価高対策として「おこめ券」を配布するほか、学校給食費の負担を軽減し、水道料金の基本料金を免除することを決めた。
— 神戸新聞 (@kobeshinbun) December 16, 2025
It looks like Nishinomiya City has 4 measures to deal with rising prices
As a response to rising prices in recent years💰, the national government distributed temporary grants (priority support local grants) to local municipalities.
Here are the measures announced by Nishinomiya City.
(1) Distribution of okomeken rice vouchers
Who’s eligible: All households
This has been getting attention on TV and elsewhere, hasn’t it～.
Each household will receive 4,400 yen worth of okomeken rice vouchers🍙. They can be used at shops displaying an “okomeken accepted here” sticker.
By the way, although they’re called “okomeken” rice vouchers, apparently some supermarkets and drugstores allow them to be used for items other than rice～.
(2) Exemption from the basic water charge for 2 months
Who’s eligible: Everyone
For households and businesses with water supply contracts in the city, the basic charge will be waived from the meter readings for April and May 2026. No application is required. The basic sewerage charge is not included.
If you live in an apartment or similar housing and pay your water bill to your landlord, the landlord will be the eligible recipient of the exemption. If you’re unsure, please ask your landlord.
(Reference) Measures against rising prices: Water charge reductions and exemptions | Nishinomiya City website
(3) School lunch fees will be 0 yen for 3 months
Who’s eligible: Families raising children
School lunch fees from January to March 2026 will be 0 yen.
This applies to municipal elementary and junior high schools, compulsory education schools, and special needs schools in the city that provide school lunches. No application is required.
For reference, the lunch fee per meal in February 2026 is said to be 275 yen for elementary schools and 325 yen for junior high schools. Over three months, that means a reduction of about 16,500 to 22,500 yen per child.
(Reference) Reducing the burden on parents for school lunch fees (January to March 2026) | Nishinomiya City website
(4) Payment of the “Child-Rearing Support Allowance for Rising Prices”
Who’s eligible: Families raising children
Children from age 0 through the third year of high school will be eligible for 20,000 yen per child.
This applies not only to children who are eligible for child allowance, but also to children born by March 31, 2026. If you’re expecting a baby, this is worth checking～.
In principle, no application is required for this allowance either, but public servants will need to apply. Details on the procedure will be announced later, so please check the city’s website.
Finally
Nishinomiya City’s measures seem especially generous for families raising children～. With prices going up on all kinds of things, it would be nice if measures like this could be carried out regularly from now on. What do you think?
*Hank-san, thank you very much for the information!!
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