Pregnancy in Japan - an overview

The first step once you’ve become pregnant is to go to your local municipal government office to fill out a pregnancy registration form （妊娠届, ninshin todoke）. You will receive a Maternal and Child Health Handbook （母子健康手帳, boshi kenkou techou） and be eligible for health consultations and guidance. At each municipal office there will always be a public health nurse so feel free to consult him/her.

The Maternal and Child Health Handbook serves as a record of the pregnancy itself, birth, vaccinations, and your child’s growth. Additionally, as it is your passport to governmental services including health check-ups, please carry it with you at all times.

Local governments, hospitals, and municipal health centers regularly hold seminars and workshops providing guidance on pregnancy, birth, and postnatal issues for both parents. Your active participation is encouraged.

Maternal and Child Health Handbooks are available in English and other languages. Please inquire at your local municipal government.

Giving birth

If you are planning a hospital birth, you should receive regular check-ups at that hospital. If you choose to give birth in a hospital in Japan, expect a hospitalization of five to seven days.

Childbirth expenses

Be aware that a normal birth does not qualify for health insurance coverage. Thus, you will need to pay for birth-related expenses on your own. However, there is a lump-sum refund of 420,000 yen available upon application. Please contact your local government office or employer for more details.

Registration of births

Under Japanese law （Family Register Law）, births must be registered within 14 days. This applies to foreign residents as well. You can register at the section of your local municipal office handling family registries.

What you need

• Birth Registration Form （出生届, shussei todoke, available at the municipal office）
• Birth certificate （issued by the hospital）
• Your name seal （hanko）

Citizenship for the child

For foreign citizenship, you should comply with your home country’s legal requirements, so please check these in advance. You can complete these procedures at your country’s embassy or consulate while you are in Japan.

Immigration requirements

If the child is not a Japanese national （does not have a Japanese parent）, then you must also apply to acquire a status of residence （visa） within 30 days of birth.

• Acquiring a status of residence （for newborns）