Uozu City demands 15.3 million yen from Tenjin Nursery School

Uozu City in Toyama Prefecture has ordered Tenjin Nursery School, a certified childcare center, to repay approximately 15.3 million yen following the discovery of improper benefit claims. The amount includes 10.9 million yen in unpaid childcare benefits collected between April 2020 and March 2024, plus a 40 percent penalty of roughly 4.3 million yen.

According to city officials, the facility failed to file necessary closure applications for Saturdays when childcare services were not actually provided, resulting in the receipt of funds intended for active service days. The investigation into the discrepancy was triggered by a whistleblower report.

As an administrative penalty, the city has suspended the nursery school from accepting new users for five months, effective November 1. While the school has agreed to repay the base amount of the benefits, it has contested the penalty, claiming it had followed city guidance and arguing that the addition of the penalty fee is unjust.