Japan to make childbirth free in fight against aging population

Japan plans to fully cover childbirth costs to address its aging population, aiming to boost birth rates and sustain the economy. The new policy starts next April, though epidural anesthesia remains excluded. Japan has been struggling with a rapidly aging population for years. To combat this, the government now plans to fully cover childbirth costs. The aim is to encourage more births to sustain the country's economy. Starting next April, parents will no longer have to pay out-of-pocket for childbirth. Currently, the government covers a large portion of childbirth expenses, up to 500,000 yen (about 3,030 euros) per birth. However, this does not fully cover the costs, as health insurance does not reimburse additional expenses, as childbirth is not considered a medical condition. Caesarean sections are covered. Notably, epidural anesthesia (commonly known as the spinal tap) will not be covered under the new regulations, though the rest of the childbirth process will be. The government will also set fixed prices for childbirth services, though midwives warn this could strain medical facilities financially.