🇯🇵 Childbirth Money & Maternity Leave in Japan — A Simple Guide
Easy, plain-English explainer + a built-in calculator you can use right now.
Having a baby in Japan? This page explains two big topics in calm, simple language: ① Childbirth and Childcare Lump-Sum Grant (money that helps pay the hospital bill) and ② Maternity Leave (time off before and after birth). There’s also a quick calculator that shows your grant amount, who to apply to, your deadline, and notes about payment timing.
1) “Childbirth and Childcare Lump-Sum Grant” (出産育児一時金)
“`- What it is: a one-time payment families can use to cover the birth bill.
- How much: ¥500,000 per baby when the hospital/clinic is in the Obstetric Compensation System and the birth is at 22+ weeks. Otherwise, it’s ¥488,000 per baby.
- Who can get it: people enrolled in Japan’s public health insurance (company/union/mutual-aid or National Health Insurance). Dependents are also covered. Miscarriage, stillbirth, and medically induced abortion at 12+ weeks (85 days) are included.
Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) & Japan Health Insurance Association (Kyokai Kenpo). See references below.
How the money is paid
- Direct Payment System (recommended): your insurer pays the hospital directly. You pay only any amount above the grant. If your bill is lower than the grant, you can claim the difference from your insurer/city.
- Pay first, then claim: less common now. You submit documents and get reimbursed to your bank account.
- Employee insurance (協会けんぽ / 健保組合 / 共済) → apply to your insurer.
- National Health Insurance → apply at your city/ward office (NHI desk).
Apply within 2 years from the day after the birth (statute of limitations).
Varies by insurer/city. For “difference” refunds when your bill is under the grant, typical processing is around 1–2 months after you file, sometimes a bit longer.
2) Maternity Leave in Japan (産前産後休暇)
“`Before birth (産前休業)
You may take leave starting 6 weeks before your due date (14 weeks if twins+). It starts when you request it.
After birth (産後休業)
You must rest for 8 weeks after birth. During the first 6 weeks, you cannot work. In weeks 6–8, you may return only if you request it and a doctor says OK.
Note: Employers usually don’t pay wages during maternity leave under the Labor Standards Act, but many employees can receive a separate maternity allowance (出産手当金) from their health insurer. That is different from the grant above.
“`3) Childbirth Grant Calculator
Fill this in and press Calculate. You’ll see your total, who to apply to, your deadline, and an estimate for any refund (“difference”).
“` “`4) Quick Reference
- Employee insurance → your insurer.
- National Health Insurance → your city/ward office.
Within 2 years from the day after birth.
Often ~1–2 months after a difference claim (varies). Some cities/insurers note ~2–3 months for initial processing.
Heads-up: Rules and forms can change. Always check your own insurer or city office. If you’d like, we can add a matching maternity allowance (出産手当金) calculator to this page.
References (official/primary)
- MHLW — Childbirth Lump-Sum Grant overview & Direct/Proxy Payment steps (Japanese): mhlw.go.jp/stf/…/shussan
- MHLW — Direct Payment System implementation outline (Japanese, PDF): Implementation Guideline
- Kyokai Kenpo — Amounts (¥500,000 / ¥488,000), eligibility & difference claim (Japanese): kyoukaikenpo.or.jp/g3/sb3280/
- Kyokai Kenpo — FAQ (Japanese): kyoukaikenpo.or.jp/g6/cat620/r310/
- MHLW “Bosei-navi” — Maternity leave rules: before 6 weeks (14 for multiples), after 8 weeks (Japanese): bosei-navi.mhlw.go.jp/gimu/kyugyo.html
- Bosei-navi — “When can I take maternity/childcare leave?” calculator (Japanese): bosei-navi.mhlw.go.jp/leave/
- City examples (deadlines & processing time): Saitama City, Osaka City, Sendai City