Information on Parenting Support for Foreigners Living in Japan

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When you become pregnant

Notification of Pregnancy (ninshin todokesho)

○Please go to the municipal office or health center in the city/town where your certificate of residence is and fill out this form. You will be issued a Maternal and Child Health Handbook (boshi kenko techo) and one or two Universal Pregnancy Health Exam Coupons, which allow you a free pregnancy examination at the gynecologist.
○The mother’s physical and dental health, the child’s condition at birth, and vaccinations should all be written in the handbook, which also includes advice on child development. Remember to bring the handbook with you when you go to the hospital before or for birth, and when you take the child to a hospital or health center.

When you have given birth 　　　

Medical fees

○It costs about 350,000 yen per week to give birth at a hospital. This is not covered by health insurance, but there is a government insurance system that will return 350,000 yen after the birth (this may differ for Casearean sections; ask your doctor).　  　　    　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 　○For women who find the costs of childbirth difficult to pay, it may be possible to give birth at a midwife facility, so please ask at a Health and Welfare office or at a municipal office.

Certificate of birth

○You should submit the certificate of birth to the appropriate window at the municipal office within 14 days of giving birth, starting from the day of birth (Be sure to bring your Maternal and Child Health Handbook and the birth certificate from the hospital). When you submit this form, you will be issued one or two Universal Infant Health Examination Coupons that can be used for a free examination for your child. 

To enter your child in health insurance

○Enter your child into national health insurance at the municipal office, and into social insurance at your place of work. Children not yet three years old can qualify for financial help with medical expenses regardless of which insurance system they join, so please complete the forms at the municipal office. Some municipalities also provide financial help for children over three years of age as well; please ask at the municipal office.

 

Children under one year old

One-month check-up (not free)

Please get a check-up one month after the birth for both mother and child

Inoculations

Vaccinations that the national government has deemed important for protecting children from communicable diseases, if administered within the time limit recommended by the municipality, are free of charge. These begin three months after birth so be sure to inquire at the municipal office.

Infant health examination

A free health examination is available at pediatric wards when you present the Universal Infant Health Examination Coupon issued by the municipal office.

Infant health consultations/examinations

You can ask questions about infant health, development and rearing, nutrition, etc. free of charge at municipal offices. Topics and days of service vary from place to place, so please ask.

Other services

Some municipalities offer classes on baby food or baby dental care; please ask at the municipal office.

Children 1-6 years old

Infant health examination at 18-months

Each municipality offers free physical and dental examinations for children 18-20 months old. We hope you will take advantage of this.

Infant ｈealth examination at 3 years

Each municipality offers free physical and dental examinations for children of 3 years and 6 months to 4 years old. We hope you will take advantage of this.

School entrance physical (5-6 years old)

Elementary schools offer examinations during November and December for children who plan to enroll the next year.

 

Other Services

Pregnancy workshops

Gynecology offices and certain municipal departments offer workshops to distribute information on health management during pregnancy and on giving birth.

Home visits

Aimed at families currently raising children, public health workers or midwives distribute information about parenting and parenting clubs and offer consultations.

Mother and Child Health Workers

Mother and Child Health Workers are on hand in local areas to answer questions and offer advice so that women can feel secure about pregnancy, delivery, and parenting.　

Pediatrics / night emergencies

Please decide on a family pediatrician as quickly as possible.
Please also look ahead of time for a pediatrician who you can call on nights and weekends.

Parenting clubs

Special parent-child areas have been set up locally to support families with children. They offer opportunities for adults to play with their children, to read books together, or to attend talks. Please direct inquiries to your municipal office.

Parenting support center

Specifically for families currently raising children, these centers offer consultations about parenting and circulate information offered by parenting clubs on development, talks, and parenting.

Daily-Life Support Service for Foreigners in Japan

We offer consultations on daily life or legal matters for foreigners living in Japan.

Saga Prefectural International Relations Association (SPIRA) (on the first floor of the Prefectural Office new building)

Monday-Friday, 8:30～17：15         TEL: 0952-22-7830

Please address any inquiries to your local municipal office

 

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