1 first steps

2 options

3 rights

4 resources

1 first steps

2 options

3 rights

4 resources

1 first steps

2 options

3 rights

4 resources

Are you pregnant and living in Okayama?
Your rights, options, and support

Are you pregnant and living in Okayama? Your rights, options, and support

You don’t have to face this alone. This site explains your rights during pregnancy and introduces support groups offering free consultation.

working or studying?

concerns about continuing your pregnancy?

concerned about 'overstay'?

flowchart

start here

1 first steps

emergency contraception ('after-pill')

Emergency contraception ('after pill') can prevent pregnancy after sexual assault or contraceptive failure (for example, a broken condom). It works best when taken as soon as possible, ideally within 72 hours after unprotected sex. While it is not 100% effective, the sooner it is taken, the more effective it is.

It is available at pharmacies without a prescription from around ￥7500. You can also visit a clinic or hospital.
There is no age restriction and parental consent is not required.
It is not covered by insurance.
Some pharmacies may ask for your ID.

It is recommended that you check for pregnancy using a pregnancy test (self-test ↓) three weeks after taking the after pill.

important points

looking for a clinic in Okayama City?

if you have been sexually assaulted

self-test

If you think you might be pregnant or have missed your period, you can take a pregnancy test (ninshin kensa youhin).

Pregnancy test kits are available at pharmacies from around ￥700.
You don’t need a prescription or ID to buy a test kit
It can be used one week after a missed period.

If two lines appear on the test, the result is positive (+). This means you may be pregnant.

see a doctor

If your self-test is positive, visit a hospital or clinic for confirmation. Whatever your decision about continuing or not continuing your pregnancy, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible to determine how many weeks along you are.

Costs vary depending on the hospital or clinic, but are usually around ¥5,000–10,000.
This is not covered by insurance.
You will need to bring your My Number Health Insurance Card.

unsure of where to go?

2 options

give birth

If you have health insurance, you can receive a Lump-sum Payment for Childbirth (shussan ikuji ichijikin) to help cover the cost of childbirth.

Once your pregnancy is confirmed by a doctor, submit a pregnancy notification (ninshin todoke) to your local Child and Family Center (Prenatal and Postnatal Consultation Station). There you will receive a Maternal and Child Health Handbook (boshi techo) and Prenatal Checkup Vouchers.

Please bring the pregnancy notification form issued by your doctor.
You will need to bring a photo ID (such as a My Number Card (My Number Health Insurance Card), Residence Card, or passport).

Maternal and Child Health Handbook / Vouchers

Childbirth Lump-sum Payment

if you plan to give birth abroad

adoption

If you are considering continuing your pregnancy and giving birth in Japan, but would like someone else to raise your baby, please contact a support organisation as soon as possible. In Okayama, you can consult Pregnancy SOS Sheruto. See the “Pregnancy / Children” tab on Links.

abortion

If you are thinking about ending a pregnancy, it is important to see a doctor early. Abortion becomes more difficult and more expensive as the pregnancy progresses. In Japan, abortion is legally allowed up to 22 weeks (21 weeks and 6 days).

There are two main types of abortion in Japan: medical and surgical. The cost depends on:

How many weeks pregnant you are
Any complications
The hospital or clinic you visit
Abortion is not covered by health insurance.

if you are worried about the cost

partner consent

3 rights

workers

In Japan, all workers are protected by law, no matter their nationality or visa status (including overstay).

It is illegal for an employer to fire you, pressure you to quit, or force you to return to your home country because you are pregnant.
It is also illegal for an employer to harass or threaten you, or pressure you to have an abortion.
All workers enrolled in employment insurance have the right to take maternity leave and return to your job after giving birth.
If your rights at work are violated, you have the right to take action.

inform your employer

your employer must follow medical advice

Maternity Leave

save all evidence of harassment

[resource] learn about workers' rights

students

Pregnancy is a valid reason for a Leave of Absence (kyūgaku) from school.

If you want to continue your studies, tell your school so plans can be made for a Leave of Absence and Immigration Bureau notifications.
Your residence status does not change while on leave (if you remain enrolled, and within your period of stay), and you cannot be forced to leave Japan or expelled due to pregnancy or childbirth.
You can also renew your student visa while on leave if you remain enrolled.

Unreported absences will affect your attendance record and can lead to expulsion, so please be sure to inform your school.

giving birth in your home country

if you have been threatened with expulsion

residence status & nationality

Giving birth in Japan does not automatically give the baby Japanese citizenship unless the mother is married to a Japanese citizen or the Japanese father has officially acknowledged paternity.

Below are the three procedures you should complete after your baby’s birth.

1 Notification of Birth → municipal office

2 Residence Status → immigration office

3 nationality → embassy or consulate

if the mother's status has expired (overstay)

[resources]

This site is regularly updated by members of the Societas Research Institute, Hashimoto Foundation. We are a Public Interest Incorporated Foundation based in Okayama Prefecture, Japan. Please contact us for any inquiries. This site was updated on 2026/7.

1 first steps

2 options

3 rights

4 resources

1 first steps

2 options

3 rights

4 resources

1 first steps

2 options

3 rights

4 resources

1 first steps

2 options

3 rights

4 resources

Are you pregnant and living in Okayama?Your rights, options, and support

Are you pregnant and living in Okayama? Your rights, options, and support

working or studying?

concerns about continuing your pregnancy?

concerned about 'overstay'?

flowchart

start here

1 first steps

emergency contraception ('after-pill')

important points

looking for a clinic in Okayama City?

if you have been sexually assaulted

self-test

see a doctor

unsure of where to go?

2 options

give birth

Maternal and Child Health Handbook / Vouchers

Childbirth Lump-sum Payment

if you plan to give birth abroad

adoption

abortion

if you are worried about the cost

partner consent

3 rights

workers

inform your employer

your employer must follow medical advice

Maternity Leave

save all evidence of harassment

[resource] learn about workers' rights

students

giving birth in your home country

if you have been threatened with expulsion

residence status & nationality

1 Notification of Birth → municipal office

2 Residence Status → immigration office

3 nationality → embassy or consulate

if the mother's status has expired (overstay)

[resources]

Are you pregnant and living in Okayama?
Your rights, options, and support