The Sankei Shimbun 
A newborn baby's hand.
On January 11, Tokyo announced a new initiative offering subsidies for epidural childbirth, which uses anesthesia to reduce labor pain. Starting in October, the city will provide up to ¥100,000 JPY (about $630 USD) in financial assistance to residents who choose this option.
While Shimontani Town in Gunma Prefecture already provides a similar subsidy, Tokyo will be the first to introduce this program at the prefectural level. The city has allocated ¥1.2 billion (about $7.6 million) in its upcoming budget, which will also cover training for healthcare professionals.
First Prefectural-Level Subsidy
The subsidy will be available to residents of the Tokyo Metropolis who choose epidural births at approved medical institutions that meet safety and staffing standards. According to a survey, the average cost of an epidural birth in Tokyo is approximately ¥120,000 (about $760).
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike explained that female staff members had told her they wouldn't want a second child if the childbirth experience would be as painful as their first. She emphasized, "Our goal is to create a society where women can freely choose epidural births. In other countries, this method is commonly used."
The subsidy was part of Koike's campaign promise during the Tokyo gubernatorial election in July 2024, where she secured a third term. A survey conducted by Tokyo found that more than 60% of mothers in Tokyo had expressed a preference for epidural childbirth.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: The Sankei Shimbun
