Japan: Public health insurance to cover childbirth costs
Source: Asia Insurance Review | Jan 2026
The Japanese ministry of health, labour and welfare is considering a proposal for public health insurance to cover the cost of childbirth.
The full insurance coverage is intended to eliminate out-of-pocket expenses related to childbirth and close the regional gap in costs and set to replace the existing lump-sum childbirth allowance.
For the planned full health insurance coverage for childbirth costs, a uniform fee per delivery will be set, and the amount will be provided to medical institutions.
Childbirth costs have continued to rise across Japan, with the nationwide average in fiscal 2024 at JPY519,805 ($3338) and in the range of JPY650,000 ($4175) in Tokyo. A