Child allowance payments begin in some areas

The disbursal of child-rearing allowances --- a key campaign pledge by Japan's main ruling Democratic Party --- has begun in some municipalities.

Under the program, parents are entitled to receive monthly payments of about 140 dollars per child until the child leaves junior high school.

On Tuesday, some towns and villages in Hokkaido, Niigata and Toyama prefectures began disbursing the child allowances for April and May.

In Asahi town, Toyama Prefecture, fathers and mothers visited the town hall in person to receive the funds, which were handed out in cash.

A father of 3 elementary school children said more money will be needed as they grow older, so he plans to put their allowances into a savings fund.

A mother of a 2-year-old said she wants to take her child to an amusement park.

Disbursal of child allowances will begin in other municipalities before the end of this month, mostly through bank transfers.

The welfare ministry says the program covers more than 17 million children and will cost the government about 25 billion dollars for the current fiscal year.