Having a baby in Japan: How much does it cost

If you're living in Japan or planning to move there from the UK and thinking about starting a family, you might be wondering how much pregnancy and childbirth will cost. Japan has a strong healthcare system, but it’s important to understand how maternity care works and what expenses you can expect before deciding where to give birth.

So, how much does having a baby in Japan cost? In this guide, we’ll break down hospital fees, prenatal care and all the key expenses.

And if you need a cost-effective way to manage your money across borders, check out the Wise account from the money services provider Wise. It’s not a bank account but offers some similar features, and your money is safeguarded.

Over 12.8 million people worldwide use Wise to send, spend and convert money in 40+ currencies – for low, transparent fees* and no-markup exchange rates close to what you can see on Google. Plus, you’ll get dedicated support and volume discounts when sending large amounts.

Learn more about the Wise account ➡️

Healthcare in Japan

The Japanese public healthcare system is available to all citizens, residents and all visitors staying in the country for over three months. Japan has universal healthcare, and while it’s not free, 70% of medical bills are covered.¹

If you work full-time for a medium or large company, you will typically be enrolled in the Social Health Insurance program, also known as SHI. You and your employer each contribute around 5 percent of your salary to SHI.¹

Other categories, such as freelancers, the unemployed and employees of small businesses, are usually covered under the National Health Insurance plan or NHI. Contributions to NHI vary depending on your income.¹

One important exception is that childbirth and some other procedures are not covered by public insurance. There are other ways to manage these costs, which we will explore in more detail later.²

Overview of costs for having a baby in Japan

Here's a breakdown of the costs when having a baby in Japan:

Keep in mind that these are only estimates and it’s best to consult healthcare providers directly for the most up-to-date information.

Cost of prenatal care in Japan

Pregnancy confirmation isn’t covered by Japan’s public health insurance. It typically involves a urine test, an ultrasound and a consultation at a hospital or clinic. Altogether, this usually costs around 10,000 yen.³

Prenatal check-ups aren’t covered by Japanese public health insurance either, but they can sometimes be partially or fully covered with coupons from your local city or ward office. A check-up costs between 5,000 and 10,000 yen without them, depending on the clinic, and you’ll need 14 appointments on average. In case you need some additional tests, they won’t be covered by the coupons.³

If you’re concerned about these costs, some private insurance plans include full coverage for pregnancy and delivery, so it’s worth looking into your options early on.³

If you’d like to attend some prenatal parenting classes, some local municipal offices and hospitals offer them for free. You can get more information when you register your pregnancy at the local municipal office.²

These classes typically cover how to bathe and feed your baby, maintain a healthy pregnancy diet and understand the delivery process. They also provide information about local government services available before and after childbirth.²

Another free service some municipalities offer are home visits from a nurse or midwife. You’ll be able to discuss any concerns you have about your pregnancy and delivery with them.²

How much does it cost to have a baby in Japan through IVF?

Japanese public health insurance covers 70% of IVF costs. The requirement is that couples are diagnosed with infertility, which usually means a year of unsuccessfully trying to conceive.²

There’s an age limit for these fertility treatments for women, but there’s not one for men. Women under 40 can have six IVF treatment cycles and women between the ages of 40 and 42 can go through three.²

However, it’s important to note that having a baby in Japan through IVF isn’t accessible to everyone. Unfortunately, only married or common-law heterosexual partners can receive these treatments according to the guidelines from the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. A small percentage of doctors are willing to treat lesbians and single women.²

The full price of IVF treatment without government subsidies is between 300,000 and 500,000 yen. Artificial insemination costs upwards of 200,000 yen.⁴

Cost of delivering a baby in Japan

Giving birth in Japan generally costs between 500,000 and 1,000,000 yen (roughly £2,600 - £5,200), including hospitalisation. The payment is usually made in cash.³

Although Japanese public health insurance doesn’t cover delivery, you might be able to receive the Childbirth and Childcare Lump-Sum Grant from the government. If you’re insured, both you or a dependent family member can receive 500,000 yen to help with these costs.⁵

In this case, you should choose the institution where you’ll give birth in advance and request that the 500,000 yen sum be paid directly to that institution. You’ll only pay the difference after delivery if there is one.⁵

Cost of postnatal care in Japan

After giving birth, you have the right to free services of nurses and midwives, as well as gynaecologists. You’ll also receive several free home visits from nurses at midwives, starting at 28 days post-delivery. Another one is available when the baby turns four months old, to check on both your recovery and the baby’s progress.²

The baby will receive a free health assessment at one month old and a few months later, as well as free regular immunisation. You’re also entitled to a free solid food class once it’s time to introduce it.⁶

Costs to expect once your baby is home

The majority of costs of having a baby in Japan start once you come home from the hospital. You’ll need to buy furniture, diapers, formula and many other essential things. However, Japan has a Child Rearing Allowance, which provides between 10,000 and 15,000 yen to households until your child graduates from high school.²

There are plans to increase this support for low-income families, so make sure you check with your local government office what the options are.²

Wise – An international account for managing money in Japan

Now that you know which costs to expect when having a baby in Japan, you might need a smart way to manage your money between the UK and Japan. The Wise account could be a perfect fit.

With the Wise account, you can send, spend, hold and convert money in 40+ currencies, for low, transparent fees* and mid-market exchange rates close to what you see on Google.

You can also get a Wise card for a one-time fee of £7 (or the Wise virtual card for £0) to spend like a local in 150+ countries. This clever card automatically converts your pounds to the local currency whenever you spend, only adding a tiny, upfront currency conversion fee* – or it’s fee-free if you already have the local currency in your Wise account.

Sign up with Wise for free 🚀

**Capital at risk. In the UK, Interest and Stocks are provided by Wise Assets — this is the trading name of Wise Assets UK Ltd, a subsidiary of Wise. Wise Assets UK Ltd is authorised as an investment firm and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Our FCA number is 839689. We do not give investment advice, and you may be subject to pay tax. If you're not sure, seek qualified advice. You can find more information about the funds on our website.

Sources used:

Sources last checked on date: 08-Apr-2025