Care costs
Japan home care cost simulator
Choose a certified care level and co-payment rate to estimate monthly home care for one person in Japan. See covered co-payments and private help separately, before any high-cost care refund.
Cost planningCalculation assumptions
Multiply the care level's unit limit by the share used and the price per unit. Apply the 10%, 20% or 30% rate on the co-payment certificate. Private help is added separately: weekly hours × 4.33 × hourly price.
For Support levels 1 and 2, some home-help and day services fall under municipal preventive programs. The national limit alone does not determine every service budget. Confirm the plan with the community support center.
Monthly home care benefit limits| Level | Units/month |
|---|
| Support 1 (yo-shien 1) | 5,032 |
|---|
| Support 2 (yo-shien 2) | 10,531 |
|---|
| Care 1 (yo-kaigo 1) | 16,765 |
|---|
| Care 2 (yo-kaigo 2) | 19,705 |
|---|
| Care 3 (yo-kaigo 3) | 27,048 |
|---|
| Care 4 (yo-kaigo 4) | 30,938 |
|---|
| Care 5 (yo-kaigo 5) | 36,217 |
|---|
Source: MHLW benefit-limit notice (Japanese). Checked: 2026-08-29.
Refunds and exclusions
High-cost care refunds depend on the income category and eligible co-payments across the household. A co-payment percentage does not determine the ceiling. Ask the municipal insurance desk about the application and eligible amount.
Services above the benefit limit and non-covered room or food costs are excluded from this care refund. Budget separately for rent and meals, medical bills and daily supplies, and any facility entrance payment.
Kawasaki City: eligible costs and refunds (Japanese)
Home and facility costs and financial support
Check a real quote
Ask the care manager for the service schedule's cost sheet and separate covered charges from private costs. If you need help sharing the budget with family abroad, JCC's first consultation is 30 minutes and free.
Discuss your family's care budgetSupport for families abroad
