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HomeChildbirth & ParentingLump-Sum Childbirth Benefit (出産育児一時金)

Lump-Sum Childbirth Benefit (出産育児一時金)

A one-time ¥500,000 benefit paid by your health insurance (both employer and National Health Insurance) to offset childbirth costs. Most hospitals use the 'direct payment system,' meaning the insurer pays the hospital directly and you only pay any remaining balance. Claim deadline: within 2 years of birth.

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Documents needed

Application form (only needed if NOT using the direct payment system — obtain from your insurer)
Certificate from the delivery hospital (only if not using direct payment system)
ID document
Bank account details (only if not using direct payment system)
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Steps

1

Once pregnant, confirm with your planned hospital or midwife whether they participate in the direct payment system (直接支払制度)

2

If using the direct payment system (most hospitals): sign the consent form before or during admission. At discharge, only pay the balance exceeding ¥500,000

3

If not using direct payment (or the facility doesn't participate): after birth, submit application documents to your health insurer — employer insurer (Kyokai-kenpo or health insurance union) or National Health Insurance at your municipal office

4

After review (for non-direct-payment cases), the benefit is deposited into your account (typically 2–3 months after birth)

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Important notes

Benefit amount: ¥500,000 for births at hospitals enrolled in the obstetric compensation program; ¥488,000 for other facilities (e.g., home births)

Application deadline: within 2 years of birth — apply as soon as possible

Eligible for both company employees (shakai hoken) and self-employed/freelancers (kokuho). Stay-at-home spouses listed as dependents receive the benefit through the primary insured person's health insurance

If the total birth cost was less than ¥500,000, you can claim the unused balance after discharge

National Health Insurance enrollees apply directly at their municipal office's NHI counter — procedures vary by municipality

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