.jpg "日本での出産と子育て：知っておくべきこと") |
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Planning to give birth or raise your child in Japan? Here's a practical guide covering healthcare, maternity benefits, parenting culture, and everyday phrases like 出産 (childbirth) and 子育て (child-raising) to help you feel prepared and supported.
Japan, known as Land of the Rising Sun, is also a place where precision, politeness, and care are embedded in daily life including healthcare and childrearing. But for foreign mothers, especially Muslim moms or non-native speakers, system can feel overwhelming at first.
“When I first found out I was pregnant in Japan, I felt excited and anxious at same time.”「日本で妊娠がわかったとき、嬉しさと不安が入り混じっていました。」
This article breaks down what you should know about giving birth and raising your little one in Japan medically, legally, and culturally.
Prenatal Care (妊婦健診)
Japan offers excellent prenatal care (妊婦健診 / ninpu kenshin). Once your pregnancy is confirmed, you’ll receive a 母子健康手帳 (boshi kenkou techou) a Mother Child Health Handbook where all medical records, weight checks, and vaccinations will be tracked.
Most city offices also provide pregnancy coupons (補助券 / hojoken) to reduce cost of checkups.
Giving Birth in Japan (出産)
You can give birth in a hospital (病院 / byouin), clinic (クリニック), or birthing center. Most deliveries are natural and non-medicated unless otherwise needed. Some hospitals may allow 立ち会い出産 (tachi-ai shussan) birth attendance by your partner.
Postnatal Support & Vaccinations
After birth, you’ll have access to home visits (新生児訪問 / shinseiji hōmon), where a nurse comes to check on you and your baby’s health. Vaccinations are scheduled through city office and tracked in 母子手帳.
Common baby vaccines include:
- BCG (結核)
- DTP (ジフテリア・破傷風・百日咳)
- MR (麻疹・風疹)
