As widely broadcasted, the free preschool education program started from Oct, 2019 in Japan.
There is no fees for authorized kindergarten, daycare centers and cares for ages 3 to 5. It is also applied for children using development supports for handicapped and extended childcare services at kindergarten. In addition, the government made day care services free for children up to the age of 2 if they come from low-income households.
Though the parents / guardians still have to cover some fees, such as transportation expenses, meal expenses and event fees, there are several exempt conditions or supports from ward or city you live in.
As to Setagaya-ku, they decided that they pay a part of meal expenses for all children aged 3 to 5 attending authorized daycares. Also Shibuya-ku and some other wards employed a support program, which is backed up by Tokyo Metropolis, for people who have to hire babysitters having their children on the waiting lists for daycares.
Those conditions and enrollment processes differ depending on where you live and what situation you are in.
Please feel free to contact us if you need supports for a smooth enrollment.