A system to cover the total costs of child delivery through public health insurance was approved in a Cabinet meeting on Friday, as the nation aims to tackle a rapidly declining birth rate.
Under Japan’s current system, the total cost of deliveries is not covered by public health insurance. In cases of special deliveries, such as cesarean section, it can be considered a medical emergency and would be covered partially by insurance, with individuals bearing 30% of the medical costs.
For standard deliveries, women covered by public health insurance who give birth are granted a one-time allowance of ¥500,000 ($3,130) per child. However, in recent years the cost for child delivery has been on the rise, and in many cases this lump-sum payment is not enough to cover all the fees required.