•Eligibility: only for mothers who are personally enrolled in employer health insurance (shakai hoken). Not available to those covered as a dependent under a spouse's plan
•Benefit period: from 42 days before the due date (98 days for multiple pregnancies) through the 56th day after birth — up to 98 days total
•Benefit amount: (Standard Monthly Salary ÷ 30) × 2/3 per day. On days when salary is paid, only the difference is covered
•This benefit does not overlap with the childcare leave benefit (employment insurance). The maternity benefit covers pre/post-natal leave; the childcare benefit starts after post-natal leave ends
•Many mothers submit the application after their entire maternity leave period ends, but splitting the claim into two periods (pre- and post-natal) is also possible
•If you resign, you may still be eligible if you had at least 1 year of coverage before leaving and were on maternity leave at the time of resignation