Tokyo and Machida City Forge New Partnership for Child Welfare Support

Strengthening Child Welfare: A New Agreement in Machida City

On April 22, 2025, a significant partnership was established between the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Machida City focusing on the welfare of children. This agreement aims to enhance cooperation in providing targeted, localized support to create a child-friendly environment.

Objectives of the Agreement

The primary goal of the partnership is to combine the broad and specialized assistance offered by the Tokyo government with Machida City’s commitment to nurturing a supportive community for children. This collaboration will facilitate more detailed and considerate support that is grounded in the local context.

Key Areas of Collaboration

The partnership will focus on several vital aspects of child welfare:
1. Shared Understanding of Needs: The two entities will work together to assess risks and needs related to child abuse reports and other care consultations, ensuring swift and close discussions when concerns arise.
2. Attending Meetings Together: Representatives from both parties will attend various meetings, such as support policy meetings, to remain aligned and informed on current issues and strategies.
3. Joint Interviews and Visits: Conducting joint assessments and home visits will be part of the collaborative strategies to better understand the situations faced by affected families.
4. Coordinating Support Measures: Establishing platforms for coordinating support measures aimed at families and children in need will be a priority, ensuring timely and effective services.
5. Shared Expertise and Training: By sharing specialized knowledge and participating in joint training sessions, both organizations aim to enhance the professional skills of their staff members.
6. Prevention and Early Detection of Abuse: The partnership emphasizes the importance of preventing child abuse before it occurs and ensuring early detection, alongside continuous, appropriate support for affected families.

About the Machida City Child Consultation Center

The Machida City Child Consultation Center, located at 1-2-17 Yamazaki, Machida, Tokyo, will officially open on June 1, 2025. The center will serve as the primary consultation point for men and women under 18 seeking support. From June 2, consultations and applications for various services will be available at this new center—formerly handled by the Hachioji Child Consultation Center.

Contact Information

For inquiries related to applications and consultations:

- Phone: 042-851-9357 (Monday to Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM)
- Fax: 042-851-9358 (Available 24/7)

Prior reservation is encouraged to minimize waiting times for in-person consultations.

In case of emergencies during evenings or holidays, the following contacts are available:

- Emergency Contact (Nights and Weekends): 03-5937-2330
- Child Abuse Reporting Line: 189 (24/7, free call)
- Child Consultation Exclusive Line: 0120-189-783 (24/7, free call)

Additionally, Machida City’s Child and Family Support Division also provides consultation services related to children and families, ensuring that individuals can reach out to either the consultation center or family support division with ease.

- Phone: 042-724-4419 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM - 5 PM, excluding holidays)

Future Developments

The current facility is temporary, providing only consultation services. Starting in fiscal year 2030, a new comprehensive complex—referred to as the Machida City (provisional name) Child and Childcare Support Facility—will be constructed, incorporating an emergency shelter alongside the consultation center. This future project aims to provide a more extensive solution for child welfare.

Learn More

For more information, visit the Machida City parenting website here.

About Machida City

With a population of approximately 430,000 residents, Machida City is located in the southern part of Tokyo and is about a 30-minute train ride from the city center. The area is known for its vibrant commercial districts near the station, bustling with large shopping facilities and long-standing shopping streets. Beyond the urban landscape, Machida also offers serene rural features, lush parks, and local farms cultivating fresh produce. This combination of urban convenience and natural beauty makes Machida a desirable place to live and grow.

Additional Resources

Machida's logo symbolizes a thriving community where good things flourish—a fitting representation of the city's commitment to the wellbeing of its children.