About JHI
Japan Healthcare Info. (JHI) is a social entrepreneur organization founded in 2010. Our healthcare professional staff are dedicated to providing service in order to enhance well-being of international community in Japan.
JHI is a selected member of the most renowned non-profit Japanese social entrepreneur training organization and awarded Japanese government grant in 2010.
Pregnancy and Delivery Costs
Confirmation of pregnancy
Japanese Health Insurance does not cover pregnancy confirmation. It will cost around 10,000 yen, including a consultation and test at a clinic or hospital.
Prenatal checkups
Japanese Health Insurance does not cover prenatal checkups, but you can use discount coupons provided by your local city.
When you report your pregnancy to your local government, you will receive a Mother and Child Health Handbook and prenatal checkup coupons. With these coupons, your co-pay will be around 3,000 yen per checkup (or even free), but if any tests are done the price could be higher. Without a coupon, costs will be around 5,000 to 10,000 yen per checkup.
Women have an average of 14 checkups during pregnancy.
Estimated costs
With coupons: 3,000 yen × 14 times = 42,000 yen (could be cheaper or more depending on your municipal policy)
Without coupons: (assuming 10,000 yen per checkup): 10,000 yen × 14 times = 140,000 yen
*Note* If you receive checkups outside the town you have registered residency in, you may have to pay an additional fee.
If you have private insurance, contact them and ask about their pregnancy coverage. Some companies cover all the costs for checkups, admission and delivery.
Delivery costs
Admission and delivery costs are generally from 500,000 to 1,000,000 yen.
The hospital or birth center you use will require you to make your payment, generally in cash, when you are discharged.
If you have insurance with a Japanese health insurer, you should be able to receive birth allowance. The allowance is usually around 400,000 yen, but could be higher or lower depending on your insurer.
You have two options to receive this allowance. You can choose to pay the full delivery cost fee at the time of discharge, and then be reimbursed for the allowance amount at a later date.
The other option is to have your insurer pay this allowance directly to your hospital or birth center. We call this “Direct Payment.” Direct payment can be arranged from your place of delivery. If you choose this option, you will be required to pay the remaining balance upon being discharged.
JHI can contact your hospital and assist you with filling out the forms. Contact us.
*Note some hospitals and birth centers do not accept direct payment.
Important note: JHI is based in Tokyo and our information is primarily from the Kanto area. However, we have received feedback that checkup and delivery costs are significantly lower in other areas. (For example, 1,500 yen for prenatal checkups and 250,000 to 500,000 yen for delivery costs.) Keep in mind prices will vary depending on your location.