Giving a Birth in Japan – System, Support, Cost, etc

Giving a birth is a big event in life. It might help you feel better by knowing more about delivering a child in Japan. This is for those who wants to know more of giving a birth in Japan, about cost, culture, hospital, care, support, and etc.

Giving a Birth in Japan

I used to live in San Diego, USA and i noticed a lot of difference between USA and Japan. So i am going to write about giving a birth in Japan.

Added; I gave a birth in Japan in 2024. I wrote additional comments below through my experience.

Birth Ways in Japan

This might be a very big surprising thing for my American husband..! and might be for you.

Natural Birth ( Sizen bumben )

This is the way to give a birth withOUT painkiller, which 94.7% of Japanese Women do.

Some people still believe that you should do without painkiller so that you will have more love towards your baby with pain, etc. For me, it’s a big myth. I will proudly use a painkiller! However, I have never heard of anyone who used a painkiller for giving a birth around me.

Painless Birth ( Mutsuu bumben )

This is a painless way to give a birth, and only 5.3% people choose this. Actually there is not enough number of hospital that you can do painless way at.

Mu = None, Tsuu = Pain

C-section ( Teiou Sekkai )

As long as I know, people don’t have a c-section that much without any necessaries like for twins, belated than due date, or any difficult situation.

How Long To Be Hospitalized for Child Delivery in Japan?

I’d say it’s longer days to be hospitalized in Japan than it is in US. Usually you will be hospitalized for 5 – 6 days for painless birth, 5 – 10 days for Natural birth, and 7 – 14 days for C section.

This also depends on your condition and your hospital (doctor), you should check it with your hospital.

Meals at Maternity Hospital

One of reasons why i would like to give a birth in Japan is meals! haha. But I mean, food is important for me. My husband (American) was so surprised when i showed him some pictures of meals at maternity hospital that my friend sent me.

It depends on hospital, of course, so I think what kind of meals will be served is also one of items to choose a hospital to give a birth.

Well Balanced, Nutritious Food

In many cases, they would prepare very well-balanced meals. Because women need much nutrition after giving a birth for recovery and also for breast feeding if they do.

Iwai Zen

Iwai = Iwau (祝う) , zen (膳) is a set of meal.

Iwai zen is the first meal after giving a birth, celebrating your new born baby, and it usually is the most gorgeous meal in your stay at hospital.

Cost for Giving a Birth in Japan

This is also different at each hospital. As long as i have heard from my friends, the average would be

• 550K – 600K yen ( = $5K-6K ) for Natural birth
• 700K – 1M yen ( = $7K-10K ) for Painless birth

And if you want to have your own room, it’s additional.

Support by Japanese Government

If you are legally living in Japan, Japanese government will cover ¥500K = $5K for giving a birth.

Support by Your Ward/City

Also you probably have a chance to get another support from your city/ward. You should check it by your own BEFORE giving a birth. You can ask them at ward office or city hall.

Support by Your Company

There are some companies that have a support/beneficial system for having a baby (babies). They may give you cash or gift. You should check the rule book or ask HR.

Citizenship by Being Born in Japan

Some of you asked me if you can get a Japanese citizenship if you are born in Japan. Well, if the baby has Japanese mom or/and dad, they can.

Child Support in Japan

In Japan, you can have “Kodomo teate (子ども手当て、こどもてあて)” = child support which Government gives you (technically your kid) money. I’d write about it some time.

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Here are more article about Living in Japan

Hope you get better ideas of giving a birth in Japan about systems, hospitals, cost, etc by reading this!