Overview

• An expert panel has proposed that standard childbirth expenses be fully covered by public health insurance starting in fiscal 2026, pending Health Ministry implementation plans.
• Currently, normal childbirth is not covered by Japan's national health insurance, with costs often exceeding the ¥500,000 government subsidy.
• In 2024, Japan recorded a record-low 720,988 births, marking the ninth consecutive year of decline as the nation faces a demographic crisis.
• Epidurals are expected to remain excluded from public insurance coverage under the proposed plan, raising questions about equitable access to pain management options.
• Obstetricians have expressed concerns about potential financial strain on medical institutions due to standardized nationwide pricing under the new system.