Pregnancy in Japan for Foreigners: Boshi Techo, Checkups & What to Do

Quick answer (30 seconds): Pregnant in Japan? The system is generous and open to all registered residents regardless of nationality. As soon as a doctor confirms your pregnancy, file a pregnancy notification at your city/ward office and you'll receive the Boshi Techo (Maternal and Child Health Handbook) — often available in multiple languages — plus a set of subsidized prenatal-checkup vouchers (usually 14). At birth, public insurance pays a childbirth lump-sum (around ¥500,000), usually sent straight to the hospital. Here's the order to do things.

Disclaimer: General information, not medical advice. Procedures, languages, voucher amounts, and benefits vary by municipality and change — confirm with your city/ward office and your doctor. In an emergency, call 119.

Step 1: Confirm the pregnancy, then notify the city

Once a doctor (OB/GYN) confirms your pregnancy, file a "pregnancy notification" (ninshin todoke) at your city/ward office. This is what unlocks the handbook and the subsidies — do it early. (Need an English-speaking OB? See the doctor-finding guide.)

Step 2: Get the Boshi Techo (and check the language)

You'll receive the Boshi Techo / Maternal and Child Health Handbook (Boshi Kenko Techo) — the single most important document of your pregnancy and your child's early years. It records your prenatal care, the birth, and your child's checkups and vaccinations.

• It's available in many languages (English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian, Tagalog, Nepali and more) — but availability varies by municipality; larger cities are more likely to stock your language.
• All pregnant women registered with a municipality are eligible — regardless of nationality or working status.

Step 3: Use your prenatal-checkup vouchers

With the handbook you receive vouchers for prenatal checkups — typically 14, the standard recommended number. Each voucher subsidizes roughly ¥3,000–¥7,000 of the exam cost (amounts vary by municipality). Bring the voucher and your handbook to each checkup.

Note: routine pregnancy isn't an "illness," so normal prenatal care and a normal delivery aren't covered the same way as illness under health insurance — that's exactly why these vouchers and the lump-sum exist.

Step 4: Giving birth & the childbirth lump-sum

At delivery, public health insurance pays a childbirth and childcare lump-sum (shussan ikuji ichijikin) of about ¥500,000. Most hospitals use the direct-payment system, billing your insurer directly so you pay only the difference (if the bill is higher) or receive the remainder (if lower).

The grant, child allowance, and other money are covered in detail in our childbirth-grant guide — this article is about the process and the handbook.

Step 5: After the birth (quick checklist)

• Birth registration (shussei todoke) at the city office (typically within 14 days).
• Add the baby to your health insurance and apply for child medical subsidy and child allowance.
• Keep using the Boshi Techo for newborn checkups and vaccinations.
• If you need a residence status for the baby, handle the immigration step too.

FAQ

1. Can foreigners get the Boshi Techo and subsidies? Yes — all pregnant women registered with a municipality qualify, regardless of nationality or work status.

2. Is the handbook available in my language? Often yes (English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Portuguese, and more), but it depends on your municipality — ask at the city office.

3. How many checkups are subsidized? Usually 14 vouchers, each covering roughly ¥3,000–¥7,000 of the cost. Amounts vary locally.

4. Does health insurance cover the birth? A normal pregnancy/birth isn't treated as an illness, but you get the ~¥500,000 childbirth lump-sum and subsidized checkups instead. Complications are covered as medical care.

5. What do I do right after the birth? Register the birth (within ~14 days), add the baby to insurance, and apply for child medical subsidy and child allowance.

Sources

• Your municipality (city/ward office) — pregnancy notification, Boshi Techo, and checkup vouchers (authoritative for your area)
• Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (厚生労働省) — Maternal and Child Health / handbook: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/
• Japan Dev — giving birth in Japan as a foreigner (overview): https://japan-dev.com/blog/giving-birth-in-japan-as-a-foreigner

Related guides

• National Health Insurance for foreigners — covers the childbirth lump-sum and checkups
• How to find an English-speaking doctor — finding an OB/GYN
• First week in Japan checklist — registering at the city office
• Your zairyu (residence) card explained — residency for you and your baby

Last updated: 2026-06-19