Subsidy programs can help ease the financial burden during pregnancy and childbirth. Many people may wonder how much money they will need after childbirth or what to do if they can’t work due to morning sickness or a miscarriage risk. In this article, we will explain the available subsidy options for medical expenses and support in case of illness or injury.
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Table of Contents
Profile of Writer
Yukako Yamazaki
Representative of FP Office MIRAI;
Experienced as a Registered Customs Specialist, a bank teller, and transitioned to the path of a financial planner. Founded the financial planning office “FP Office MIRAI” in 2022.
With the motto “Changing the future through reviewing the household budget,” actively engages in household budget consultations, financial article writing, and book supervision, etc.
1st grade Certified Skilled Professional of Financial Planning, Certified Financial Planner®.
If you’re interested in other articles about finance in Japan, such as NISA and taxes, you might find this article helpful.
Chapter 1: Maternity Subsidies
During pregnancy, you can receive two main types of subsidies: support for prenatal checkups (妊婦検診の補助) and the childbirth and child-rearing support allowance (出産・子育て応援給付金). Both are managed by your local municipality, so the application process and details may vary. Once you find out you’re pregnant, make sure to contact your municipality early to get the information you need.
If you want to know how to visit a Japanese hospital, please refer the article below.
1. Support for prenatal checkups
Support for Prenatal Checkups is called 妊婦検診の補助, Ninpu Kenshin no Hojo in Japanese.
Who is eligible
All pregnant women.
Once you confirm your pregnancy, you need regular checkups to keep both you and your baby healthy. These checkups depend on how far along you are in your pregnancy. Ideally, in the early stage (up to 23 weeks), you should have checkups every 4 weeks. In the middle stage (24 to 35 weeks), aim for checkups every 2 weeks, and in the later stage (36 weeks and beyond), checkups should be weekly. The cost of prenatal checkups can vary by hospital, but it is usually around 100,000 yen.
What’s covered
The local government helps cover part of the cost of prenatal checkups. The amount they cover depends on where you live, but many municipalities help with up to 14 checkups.
How much is covered
The subsidy amount is listed on the “subsidy coupon (補助券)” or “medical voucher (受診票)” and covers specific items for each checkup.
How to apply & important notes
When you get your Mother and Child Health Handbook (母子健康手帳), you will also get your subsidy coupons (補助券) or medical vouchers (受診票). You can use these at hospitals or midwives that your municipality works with.
If you move to a different municipality during your pregnancy, you cannot use your old subsidy coupons (補助券) or medical vouchers (受診票). You will need to contact the new municipality right away and apply for new coupons or vouchers.
2. Childbirth and Child-Rearing Support Allowance
Childbirth and Child-Rearing Support Allowance is called 出産・子育て応援交付金 / Shussan・Kosodate Ouen Kofu-kin in Japanese.
Who is eligible
All pregnant women.
First, you will receive 100,000 yen for each child. The payment method depends on your municipality, and you may receive cash or electronic coupons. During pregnancy, you will get a “birth support gift” (出産応援ギフト) of 50,000 yen. Then, after childbirth, you will receive a “child-rearing support gift” (子育て応援ギフト) of 50,000 yen.
How to Apply
The application process differs by municipality. Some areas require paper applications, while others let you apply online. Therefore, make sure to check with your municipality for the specific details.
Important Notes
- If you have already received the allowance from another municipality before moving, you will not receive it again from your new municipality.
- Starting in April 2025, the system will change. The new program, called the “Support Payment for Pregnant Women” (妊婦のための支援給付交付金), will provide a slightly different payment method.
- The first 50,000 yen will still be given once your pregnancy is confirmed. However, the second payment will depend on how many children you are pregnant with. For example, if you are carrying twins, you will receive 50,000 yen for each child, for a total of 100,000 yen.
Chapter 2: Medical Expense Support and Allowances During Pregnancy
Pregnancy and childbirth are not considered illnesses, so health insurance does not cover these costs. This means you will need to pay for all medical expenses yourself. However, a few exceptions exist.
If you face health problems due to pregnancy or need bed rest and have to take time off work, you may qualify for sick leave benefits (傷病手当金 / Shōbyō teate kin). Let’s explore these in more detail.
1. High-Cost Medical Care Benefit (高額療養費 / Kōgaku ryōyōhi)
Health insurance does not cover pregnancy checkups or normal childbirth (vaginal delivery or painless delivery). However, if you need medical procedures like a caesarean section (帝王切開 / Teiō sekai) or premature delivery (早期分娩 / Sōki bunmen), health insurance will cover the costs, except for things like extra bed fees or meal charges.
If your medical expenses go over the limit set for individuals, the High-Cost Medical Care Benefit (高額療養費制度 / Kōgaku ryōyōhi seido) will help lower your out-of-pocket costs.
Who is eligible
All pregnant women.
What’s covered
If your monthly medical payments exceed the limit, the program will cover the excess. The limit depends on your annual income (see the table below).
This system is not only for pregnancy and childbirth. You can add other medical costs for illnesses or injuries that are also covered by health insurance during the same month.
Income Range and Monthly Self-Payment Limits
| Income Range | Monthly Self-Payment Limit |
|---|---|
|
11.6 million or more |
252,600 + (medical expenses – ¥842,000) × 1% |
|
B: ¥7.7 million to ¥11.6 million |
¥167,400 + (medical expenses – ¥558,000) × 1% |
|
C: ¥3.7 million to ¥7.7 million |
¥80,100 + (medical expenses – ¥267,000) × 1% |
|
D: Up to ¥3.7 million |
¥57,600 |
|
E: Households exempt from resident tax |
¥35,400 |
Example Calculation
- Annual Income: 6 million yen
- Monthly Medical Expenses: 500,000 yen
- Co-payment (30%): 150,000 yen
If you are enrolled in public health insurance, you are responsible for 30% of the medical expenses when visiting medical institutions.
Since the annual income falls under Eligibility C, the formula is:
80,100 yen + (500,000 yen – 267,000 yen) × 1% = 82,430 yen
This means the monthly self-payment limit is 82,430 yen.
In this case, the individual pays 150,000 yen as the co-payment. Since the self-payment limit is 82,430 yen, the excess amount of 67,570 yen (150,000 yen – 82,430 yen) will be refunded as the High-Cost Medical Care Benefit.
Please check below for the Health Insurance in Japan.
How to Apply and Important Notes
To apply for the High-Cost Medical Care Benefit, submit the application form to your health insurance provider (such as Health Insurance Association, Kyokai Kenpo, or National Health Insurance). Some providers may automatically refund the benefit, but always check with your insurance provider if your medical expenses are high.
It takes about 3 months to receive the benefit after applying, so you may need to pay the full amount upfront. However, if you get a “Limit Application Certificate” (限度額適用認定証) from your health insurance provider in advance and show it at the hospital, you won’t have to pay more than the set limit.
2. Sickness and Injury Allowance (傷病手当金) and Subsidies
The Sickness and Injury Allowance provides financial support when you cannot work due to illness or injury. If you are pregnant and experience conditions like severe morning sickness, pregnancy-induced hypertension, or threatened premature labor, and a doctor advises you to rest, you may qualify for this allowance.
You can also receive this subsidy if you are on home rest, as long as you have a doctor’s certificate.
Who is eligible
Employees enrolled in health insurance.
What’s covered
- If you cannot work for 4 or more consecutive days due to illness or pregnancy-related issues, you can receive this subsidy starting from the 4th day.
- The first 3 days are a waiting period, which includes weekends, public holidays, and paid leave.
- Whether you receive salary payments during this time does not affect your eligibility.
- If you take 2 days off, work for 1 day, and then take another 2 days off, you will not qualify for the allowance because you need to have 3 consecutive days off.
Example of the 3 Consecutive Days Off
The sickness allowance is available for a total of 1 year and 6 months from the start date. If you recover and return to work during this period but later need to take time off again due to the same condition, the allowance will be provided repeatedly as needed.
Amount Paid
How to Calculate Daily Payment
Use this formula:
(Average monthly salary for the past 12 months ÷ 30) × 2/3
Example Calculation
Average monthly salary: 250,000 yen
Leave days after the 3-day waiting period (including weekends and holidays): 20 days
Daily payment:
250,000 yen ÷ 30 × 2/3 = 5,556 yen (rounded)
Total payment:
5,556 yen × 20 days = 111,120 yen
How to Apply and Important Notes
Only employees with social insurance can receive this benefit. Self-employed individuals with National Health Insurance and dependents (e.g., homemakers) cannot apply.
Submit the application to your health insurance provider, such as a health insurance society or the Japan Health Insurance Association (協会けんぽ).
If your employer pays your salary during leave, you cannot receive this benefit. However, if your daily salary is lower than the allowance, you will receive the difference.
If you also receive maternity benefits, you will only get the amount that exceeds the maternity allowance.
For essential guide on maternity leave in Japan, please refer below.
Chapter 3: Summary
This guide explains financial support during pregnancy, medical cost reduction measures, and allowances for those unable to work.
- Municipalities provide prenatal checkup subsidies and the Childbirth and Child-Rearing Support Allowance, so the details may vary by location.
- National programs cover medical assistance and sickness benefits, ensuring the same eligibility conditions across all regions.
Various subsidy programs support pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. If you need help, contact your city’s health office.
2 comments
Spot on with this write-up, I truly think this website needs
much more attention. I’ll probably be back again to see more, thanks for the info!
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