Pregnancy/Birth

Last updated: June 28, 2023

Pregnancy

If you become pregnant, submit a “notification of pregnancy” （Ninshin todokedesyo） to a Health and Welfare Center (Hoken fukushi center/Hokenjyo), to receive a Maternal and Child Health Handbook (Boshi kenko techo).  This handbook is used to record important data such as the course of your pregnancy, your child’s growth and development over the years, so keep it safe. It will also be used as a reference when entering elementary school.

 

Reference website：

Fukuoka City – When you become pregnant (Japanese)

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare – For Your Well-being during Pregnancy and Delivery 

 

Birth

Once your baby is born, you need to notify your ward/city office within 14 days.  At that time, the following items are required:

1.  1. The child’s Birth registration/Birth certificate (Shussyou todoke/Shussei shoumeisyo)
2.  2. Your Maternal and child health book
3.  3. Your national health insurance card (if you have one)

If one of the parents is a Japanese national, the child can obtain Japanese nationality as well. If both of the parents are foreign nationals and the baby is staying in Japan for over 60 days, apply for a “status of residence” at your Immigration Services Bureau within 30 days.

Remember to also register the birth with the embassy of your home country.

 

Reference website：

Fukuoka City – Birth Registration (Japanese)

 

The Childbirth Lump Sum Allowance

If you or your spouse is covered by health insurance, you will receive a childbirth lump sum allowance for each birth. The amount is 500,000 yen for each birth.  For births that are not covered by the Obstetrics Medical Care Compensation System, the subsidy is 488,000 yen for pregnancies exceeding 12 weeks and up to 22 weeks in length (including stillbirths and miscarriages).

For further details, please consult your employer or the health insurance and pension section of your ward office.

Various financial assistances are available for your child until he or she enters elementary school.  Contact the Child Rearing Support Section of your ward office.

 

Reference website：

Fukuoka City – When you gave birth (Japanese)

 

Medical Care Certificate for Children

After your baby is born, immediately enroll your child in public health insurance such as Health Insurance or National Health Insurance and “Child Medical Expense Subsidy”.  “Medical Care Certificate for Children” (Kodomo iryo shou) is needed to receive financial assistance for the children’s medical expenses.   For further details, please consult your employer or the health insurance and pension section of your ward office.

 

Reference website：

Fukuoka City – Child Medical Expense Subsidy (Japanese)

 

Services related to pregnancy and child-rearing

The following maternal and child health services are available at the Health and Welfare Center (Hoken fukushi center/Hokenjyo):

1. • Issuance of Maternal and Child Health Handbook (Boshi kenko techo)
     If you are registered as a foreigner in Fukuoka city, you will be issued with a foreign language version for free upon request. The books are available in English, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Nepalese, Thai, Tagalog, Portuguese, Indonesian, and Spanish.
   • Health checkup for infants
   • Antenatal classes
   • Home visit health consultation for mothers and children
   • Health consultation for mothers and infant in your area
   • Baby food information

Other information

Financial and other support related to pregnancy and childbirth

Fukuoka City – Maternity and childcare benefits (Shyussan Kosodate Ouen Kyufukin) (Japanese)

 

Nappy and Peace of Mind Regular Delivery (Omutsu to Anshin Teikibin)

Fukuoka City – Nappy and Peace of Mind Regular Delivery

 

You can see the flow from pregnancy and birth to entering elementary school on the chart.

Kanagawa International Foundation – Parenting in Japan from pregnancy to enrolling in elementary school