Japan Eyes New Childbirth Aid

Tokyo, Nov. 4 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s welfare ministry is considering a new support measure for childbirth to replace the existing lump-sum allowance, officials said. The ministry will explore the possibility of establishing a new allowance program under public medical insurance to make childbirth expenses free of charge. A subcommittee of the ministry’s Social Security Council will discuss the matter to draw a conclusion by the end of the year. The move comes as the average cost of childbirth continues to exceed the amount of the existing allowance. As normal delivery is not covered by medical insurance and therefore paid at people’s own expense, the Japanese government established the lump-sum allowance program back in 1994 to aid expectant mothers. The amount of the lump-sum allowance was initially set at 300,000 yen. The government has raised the amount four times since then, due to increased childbirth costs. The most recent increase in the allowance was in April 2023, when the lump-sum payment was raised from 420,000 yen to 500,000 yen, in principle. But the average cost for normal delivery exceeded 500,000 yen in fiscal 2023 as many hospitals raised their bills. In fiscal 2024, the average cost rose by 13,265 yen from the previous year to 519,805 yen. The ministry has judged that the lump-sum allowance’s contribution in reducing the financial burden on pregnant women is limited even if it raises the amount of the payment. The ministry plans to revise the health insurance law in next year’s ordinary session of parliament, if it decides to create a new program for childbirth under public medical insurance. The subcommittee of the council will discuss the scope of a typical childbirth cost that will be covered by the proposed allowance program. A survey by a study group set up by the ministry shows that about 80 pct of hospitals provide special celebratory meals for new mothers. Many hospitals offer beauty treatments and photography services, with expectant and new mothers not being able to choose whether they want such services. The ministry plans to make the breakdown of childbirth costs clearer and clarify the scope of services covered by public medical insurance. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]