April 27 2025
TOKYO – The government has begun to strengthen its support for local governments to promote health checkups for infants and toddlers at the age of 5 years old, as it is effective in early detection of developmental disabilities. The program aims to provide appropriate support for children with developmental disorders before they start school, as it is easy to recognize the characteristics of developmental disorders due to language delays and other factors. The challenges are to secure doctors and to establish a support system after the checkups.
While local governments are obligated to conduct health checks for 18-month-olds and 3-year-olds, and “school entry health checks” conducted about six months before entering elementary school, 5-year-old health checks are optional, and only 14% of local governments conducted them in fiscal 2011. The Child and Family Agency aims to implement 100% nationwide by fiscal 2028.
Health checkups can be taken at local health centers, etc., free of charge, in principle. In addition to measuring height and weight, children are asked questions such as “Can they stand on one leg for more than five seconds?”, “Can they play word chains?” and “Can they wait their turn?” to check their motor skills, emotional and social development.
Barrier Free Japan 
0 comments on “Japan Government Strengthens Support for Local Government to Conduct Medical Checkups of 5-Year-Olds for Early Detection of Developmental Disabilities”