Children and young people occupy a precious place in families and societies, and on their shoulders rest the future.
Providing support for children and young adults is a duty of society to future generations, for it is the youngsters of today who will become the adults of tomorrow and, in turn, nurture the next generation. Following the Yokohama Action Plan to Support the Development of the Next Generation, Yokohama aims to move forward as a city in which everyone involved with children works together to nurture future generations.

Prenatal and infancy support

Seamless support is provided before and after birth through a range of services, including home visits and information services for families needing assistance, and provision of helpers before and after birth. At the same time, efforts are made to continue the development of obstetrical services, perinatal care, and pediatric care.
To facilitate parenting in the community, Yokohama is working to expand community parenting support centers open to parents and children at all times.
In order that parents who wish will be able to obtain childcare services when they need them, waiting lists are being reduced by developing daycare centers and using existing resources. Services are also being provided and developed to cater to a diversity of childcare needs, including temporary and holiday childcare services.

Self-reliance support for children and adolescents

Opportunities to interact with all kinds of people and come into contact with diverse cultures and forms of knowledge at the local level are being developed by expanding opportunities for after-school activities and enhancing experience-based activities at school and community youth programs.
Tailored support is also provided to help young people with difficulties to make a fresh start and become socially and financially independent by expanding counseling and information services and enhancing experience-oriented programs and vocational training to prepare young people for life in the community and the workplace.

Support for children and young people with diverse backgrounds and issues and their families

Community support networks are being enhanced and arrangements to prevent child abuse reinforced, while ongoing professional support services are provided to resolve issues and enable parents and children to live in their home communities. Where children have to live away from their families, a stable environment is provided through institutional care, foster care, and other arrangements.
To assist children with disabilities, the city promotes early detection of and care for disabilities and is committed to providing support suited to the nature of the disability and the child's stage of development. To cope with the rising number of children with disabilities and multiple disabilities in the city, facilities for such children are being expanded and their capabilities enhanced.
Living assistance for single-parent households and support for children themselves are being improved, and job assistance is provided to assist financial independence. Counseling and protection services are offered to victims of domestic violence, and support is being expanded for the development of self-reliance.

Promotion of child-friendly urban development

Yokohama is working to make the city a safe and pleasant place for parents with children by, for example, making it easier for families to get out and about and developing residential environments that are better suited to families with young children (such as by incorporating child safety features and sound insulation), and it is developing cooperative structures to prevent crimes and incidents involving children.
In order to provide society-wide support for parenting and children's growth and development, residents, businesses, and the city authorities are working together to create an atmosphere that cherishes children, young people, and families with children. Diverse ways of working are being explored so that parents can achieve a better work-life balance and fully experience the joys of raising children.