Japan Plans Full Coverage of Childbirth Costs to Combat Declining Birthrate

Significant Policy Shift Aims to Ease Financial Burden on Families

The Japanese Ministry of Health is moving to eliminate out-of-pocket expenses for childbirth, potentially starting in April 2026. This initiative is a key part of the government's strategy to tackle the nation's declining birthrate.

A plan, approved Wednesday by a panel of experts, proposes covering all expenses related to normal deliveries under the public medical insurance system. This is a significant change, as normal childbirth currently isn't covered because it's not considered a medical condition, unlike illnesses or injuries. Cesarean sections, however, are already covered. The use of epidurals for pain relief is anticipated to remain outside of this new coverage.

Childbirth costs vary significantly across Japan's prefectures, as medical institutions currently set their own prices for normal deliveries.

While the government currently provides a lump-sum payment of 500,000 yen for each childbirth, the costs of delivery have been steadily increasing, often surpassing this amount.

According to data from the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, the average cost for a normal childbirth nationwide in the first half of fiscal 2024 was approximately 518,000 yen.

If childbirth qualifies for public coverage, a unified price structure is planned nationwide. However, obstetricians have voiced concerns that this could financially strain medical institutions due to potential revenue reduction.