TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Japanese government is preparing to make standard childbirth free of charge starting April 2026. This concrete effort aims to address the country's demographic crisis, driven by a continually declining birth rate.
As reported by The Independent, this move follows a recommendation from a panel of experts who concluded that the cost of giving birth acts as a major barrier for young couples considering having children.
To date, normal childbirth expenses in Japan are not covered by national health insurance, except in cases requiring operations such as cesarean sections. Instead, the government provides subsidies of up to ¥500,000 (approximately Rp53 million). However, data from reviews conducted between May 2023 and September 2024 show that in 45 percent of cases, these subsidies were insufficient to cover the actual childbirth expenses.
According to Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the average cost of childbirth in the first half of 2024 reached ¥518,000, a drastic increase from ¥417,000 in 2012. This cost also varies by region, as hospitals set their own rates.
Expert panels recommended establishing a national system that sets a single tariff for childbirth and ensures the cost is fully covered by the health insurance system starting in fiscal year 2026. The proposal supports the view of childbirth as a basic medical service that should be accessible to everyone without financial concerns.
Subsidies as Efforts to Increase Births
Making childbirth free is part of a broader family and child policy package adopted by the Japanese government since 2023. Additionally, the government has expanded childcare facilities, offered housing subsidies, and even launched an official dating application to encourage marriage and childbirth.
However, analysts believe that these subsidy-based policies alone are still insufficient. An article published in Asia Times in February 2025 argued that Japan's birth crisis is not merely a demographic challenge but a failure of political leadership.
Until now, policymakers have often assumed that financial incentives alone would suffice. In reality, economic pressure, rigid work culture, and shifts in social values have a much greater impact.
Beyond subsidies, many parties are urging comprehensive reforms, including improvements to work culture, increased parental leave, enhanced support for education and housing, and more open immigration policies.
Record Low Birth Rate in Japan
According to The Japan Times, Japan recorded 720,988 births in 2024, the lowest number since record-keeping began 125 years ago. This marks the ninth consecutive year of declining births. This demographic trend has garnered significant attention, as over 30 percent of Japan's current population is aged 65 or older.
This crisis directly impacts the size of the workforce, the tax revenue base, and the long-term viability of the social security system. Japan faces a considerable challenge in funding pensions and healthcare for its aging population with a continuously shrinking younger workforce.
If this trend continues unchecked, it could lead to economic stagnation, reduced industrial competitiveness, and a weakening of Japan's global influence. Therefore, fully funding childbirth is seen as an important initial step, but not a sole solution.
A comprehensive and long-term approach is necessary to ensure that Japan's younger generation feels secure and motivated to start families. Without such an approach, Japan's demographic future, including its birth rate, will likely remain in a state of crisis.
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