Why & How Tokyo Is Giving Residents 11,000 Yen

With the cost of living on the rise in Japan, and pay raises few and far between, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is planning the rollout of a new cost-of-living support program tied to its official “Tokyo App” (東京都公式アプリ/東京アプリ). Despite being released in early 2025, use (and even general knowledge) of the Tokyo government’s app remains inconsistent, but this latest initiative offers residents points worth 11,000 yen as it seeks to ease financial pressures while boosting awareness of the digital platform.

The project is being called the Tokyo App Living Support Project, and point distribution is scheduled to begin at 1 pm on February 2, 2026, although residents will be able to participate through April 1, 2027. The target audience is Tokyo residents aged 15 and older, and in order to sign up, individuals must both be officially registered as living in the capital, and possess a valid My Number national identification card. Under the program, eligible users who download the Tokyo App and verify their identity by scanning their My Number card on their phone will be able to apply for Tokyo App points worth 11,000 yen. While the amount may not seem like all that much in the long run, especially for the many households struggling every month with rising prices in the capital, the amount does represent an increase over earlier plans to distribute 7,000 yen, a response to cost-of-living concerns.

Live in Tokyo? Here’s How to Participate

While the Tokyo metropolitan government is clearly aiming to make participation as simple as possible, the process does require some effort. Boosting Tokyo App use is part of the project, which means users must first have an NFC-enabled smartphone (running iOS 16 or later for iPhones, or Android 11 or later for Android devices) at their disposal. From there, the process is a few relatively simple steps:

① Install both the Tokyo App and the Digital Authentication App provided by the national Digital Agency.
　→ Tokyo App: iOS | Android
　→ Digital Authentication App: iOS | Android

② Register an account on the Tokyo App.

③ Register your My Number card on the Digital Authentication App.

(The first three steps can be done prior to February 2nd!)

④ Once the project goes live at 1 pm on Feb. 2, tap the button on the front page of the Tokyo App to submit an application for 11,000 points.
　→ It may be necessary to confirm your identity again by scanning your My Number card and entering the four-digit PIN.
　→ On January 23rd, a “congestion calendar” will be released showing when they anticipate the app to be more or less busy (at busy times the process may take longer).

⑤ After a yet unspecified period of time, the points will be credited to your account, and you can exchange them for various prizes or other point systems.

Using the 11,000 Points: How to Use the Tokyo App

Once you get your points, they can be used in a number of different ways, generally at an exchange rate of 1 point = 1 yen. The first option is the simplest: exchange the points for various prizes directly through the Tokyo App! Check the “Ticket Exchange” (チケット交換) page, and you’ll find a broad spectrum of different Tokyo facilities and local events that accept points as payment for tickets/admission. It’s worth at least giving the Ticket Exchange options a look, because you’ll occasionally find discounted tickets! Some of the current tickets include entrance to the latest exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (MOT), admission to Mukojima Hyakkaen and Tonogayato Garden, access to the Telecom Center Observatory, or the use of any number of Tokyo fitness facilities.

The other option, which the government clearly assumes most users will go for, is to visit the “Point Exchange” (ポイント交換) page, and turn your Tokyo App points into a more useful variety of points. Current options include au PAY, dPoint, Merukari Points, Rakuten Pay, and V Point (AKA au PAY, dポイント, メルカリポイント, 楽天ペイ, Vポイント). For each, the rate is consistent, 100 Tokyo App points = 100 points or 100 yen, whichever the other system uses. After transferring the points, you’re free to use them however you please.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government estimates that around 90% of the roughly 12.5 million eligible Tokyo residents will take part, which means the Tokyo App is about to get one big growth spurt. If you’re eligible and interested in earning 11,000 yen’s worth of points, it might be worth downloading the Tokyo App now to take a look and get ready for your big payday!

→ You can find more official details (in Japanese) regarding the Tokyo App and the Living Support Project on the official website.

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