The Japanese government is considering fully covering expenses for child delivery under the public medical insurance system from fiscal 2026, sources familiar with the matter revealed Tuesday, as reported by AFP.
Currently, under Japan’s medical insurance system, individuals typically pay 10 to 30 percent of medical costs out of pocket for treatments of illnesses and injuries. Normal deliveries, excluding cases like cesarean sections, are not considered illnesses and thus aren’t covered.
However, a new proposal aims to establish a framework within the system to cover childbirth expenses entirely, eliminating out-of-pocket payments.
In Japan, childbirth costs vary widely among prefectures due to differing pricing by medical institutions, with the national average standing at around 503,000 yen ($3,200) as of May 2023.
Tokyo has the highest childbirth expenses, averaging 605,000 yen, while Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan has the lowest at 361,000 yen, according to government data from fiscal 2022.
If childbirth becomes eligible for public coverage, a unified price will be set nationwide.
Currently, the government provides a lump-sum payment of 500,000 yen for each childbirth, increased from 420,000 yen in April 2023 due to rising delivery costs amid inflation and increased expenses related to medical staff.
However, if normal delivery becomes covered, the current lump-sum childbirth allowance will likely cease, potentially disappointing households who could have benefitted from the extra income if delivery costs were below 500,000 yen.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and the Children and Families Agency plan to establish an expert panel, possibly next month, to address issues including defining the scope of normal delivery to be covered by insurance.
Individuals may still need to pay out of pocket if insurance coverage excludes painless labor and additional services such as private rooms.
The panel is expected to include professionals from medical institutions and representatives of expecting mothers and the child-rearing generation.
