Confirmation of pregnancy
Japanese Health Insurance does not cover pregnancy confirmation. It will cost around 10,000 yen. This includes a consultation and a test at a clinic or hospital. Pregnancy is normally confirmed by a urine and ultrasound test, a blood test for confirmation is less common.
Prenatal check-ups
Japanese Health Insurance does not cover prenatal check-ups, but you can use discount or free coupons provided by your local city or ward office.
When you report your pregnancy to your local ward or city office, you will receive a Mother and Child Health Handbook and prenatal check-up coupons. With these coupons, the cost of check-ups will be free or greatly reduced. If any additional tests are needed or requested the price could be higher as coupons only apply to normal check-ups. Without a coupon, it costs around 5,000 to 10,000 yen or more per check-up depending on your chosen clinic. Women have an average of 14 check-ups during pregnancy in Japan.
If you receive check-ups outside the town or ward you are registered as resident in, you may have to pay an additional fee.
If you have private health insurance, contact them and ask about their pregnancy coverage. Some companies cover all the costs for check-ups, hospitalization and delivery.
Delivery Costs
Hospitalization and delivery generally costs from 500,000 to 1,000,000 yen.
The hospital or birth center you use will need you to make your payment, usually in cash, when you are discharged. If you have Japanese Health Insurance, you should be able to receive birth allowance. The allowance is usually around 400,000 yen, but could vary depending on your insurer.
You can usually choose to receive your allowance in the form of a reimbursement or have it paid to the hospital or clinic where you will give birth, referred to as direct payment.
If you choose to have it reimbursed you pay the full delivery cost fee at the time of discharge and claim the allowance payment back later.
If you choose direct payment you are only required to pay the remaining balance upon being discharged. Please note that not all hospitals, clinics and insurers support direct payment.
How can we help?
JHI can help you throughout your pregnancy. We can help arrange an appointment to confirm your pregnancy and support you in registering your pregnancy and attending prenatal check-ups. We can also help you find a hospital or clinic and assist you with filling out the necessary forms from registration to discharge. Please contact us to discuss your needs.
Important Note
JHI is based in Tokyo and these examples are based on the Kanto area.
Depending on where you are in Japan check-up and delivery costs can be significantly lower. In some areas costs can be as low as 1,500 yen contribution for prenatal check-ups and 250,000 to 500,000 yen for delivery costs. Prices, and facilities, will vary depending on your location.