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Who can I consult about pregnancy in Kumamoto?

In Kumamoto, you can consult in-person with immigration assistance offices in both the prefecture and Kumamoto City, nonprofit organizations, and hospitals. You can also consult with them by phone or email.

I don't want to have children now. What should I do?

Use "contraception" when you are not ready to give birth. Some contraceptive methods you may have used in your country of origin are not allowed in Japan. In Japan, the most common method is for the man to use a condom.

You can bring one month's worth of your own drugs (such as birth control) in your baggage from your country of origin without filling out paperwork. If you bring in or mail more than a month's worth of medicine, you must apply at customs. If you give or sell the drugs you brought in to someone else, you will be in violation of the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act and could be subject to imprisonment or fine.

I may be pregnant. What should I do?

If your period is late or if you think that you may be pregnant, get a pregnancy test or see an obstetrician/gynecologist for an examination as soon as possible. Emergency contraception is an option if it is within 72 hours of intercourse.

I want to have a baby. Do I have to quit my job or school?

In the case of a job:
Japanese law prohibits a company from firing its employees due to pregnancy or childbirth. Employees are entitled to take leave to give birth and raise children. The same applies to technical intern trainees.
In the case of school:
Schools are not allowed to expel their students due to a pregnancy. A recommended course of action is to consult with a trusted teacher or member of the staff first and then take a leave of absence, instead of dropping out, to continue studying.
Please reach out to a support organization if you are likely to be forced to return to your country by a company, supervising organization, or school.
You can also talk to your partner, family, or friends. Remember the support network around you.

How much does it cost to have a baby in Japan?

A pregnancy test on average costs between 5,000 to 10,000 yen, while giving birth in Japan will cost around 400,000 to 800,000 yen. However, these prices don’t take into account the national health insurance system as well as the maternity subsidy system. Women who are enrolled in these programs have a lump-sum allowance for childbirth and childcare of 420,000 yen. You can also receive a maternity allowance if you are not paid during the period of taking maternity leave. Even if you don’t have money or have overstayed your visa, you are still allowed to use the hospital in-patient midwifery system. You are eligible for these programs as a foreign technical intern trainee.

How will the status of residence be when I become pregnant or give birth in Japan?

The status of residence of the child will depend on the status of residence of the parent.

You can maintain the status of residence as “Technical Intern Training” while you take maternity leave to give birth if it is within the period of stay or during the process status renewal.
If you take maternity leave while applying for a status change, you can change the status from "Technical Intern Training" to "Designated Activity ". Then you can change it back to "Technical Intern Training" when the training resumes.
The status of residence of "Specified Skilled Worker" will stay the same as long as you can maintain your employment contract within the period of stay.
If you have a status of residence designated as “Student” and give birth while continuing to be enrolled in school, your status of residence will remain the same. Status renewal as a “Student” might be permitted even if you apply while you are absent from school due to childbirth.

What should I do to have a baby in Japan?

First, please go to City Hall to get a mother and child handbook or boshitecho (母子手帳).  A community health nurse can assist you until your baby is born. Below, the Kanagawa International Foundation introduces the process of giving birth and raising children in Japan as well as the boshitecho.　
If you are a technical intern trainee or an international student, and want to bring your parents or relatives to help you when giving birth in Japan, you will need to apply for a "temporary visitor" (visiting relatives) visa.
 
If you have a status of residence that allows your family to accompany you, such as "student", your spouse or child can apply for a "dependent" visa. However, if you are a Japanese language school student, your "student" status will not allow your family to accompany you. That means your spouse or child cannot apply for a “dependent” visa.  

What should I do when I want to return to my country and give birth?

If you have a status of residence such as “technical intern training” and want to suspend the training to go back to your country to give birth, you will need to have your supervising organization submit the Notification Form for Technical Intern Training Difficulty “技能実習実施困難時届出書 Ginojisshujisshikonnantodokesho" to the OTIT (due to maternity leave and childbirth), and complete the necessary procedures such as taking maternity leave before returning. When resuming the training, you may apply for a "Certificate of Eligibility" to immigration after receiving an approval for a new training plan from the OTIT, and enter Japan with a "Technical Intern Training" visa.

If you are planning to re-enter Japan prior to the expiration date of the status of residence, and within one year after leaving Japan, you can re-enter with "special re-entry permit". If the period of your authorized stay is more than one year, and you will leave and then re-enter Japan more than one year later, you must obtain a "Re-entry Permit" before leaving Japan.

What should I do if I don't want to have a baby?

In Japan, abortion is permitted up to less than 22 weeks (21 weeks 6 days). However, a surgical abortion is the only legal option. Medical abortion is not approved in Japan. It is not recommended to take drugs bought online and have an abortion without the supervision of a doctor. In addition, if you have an abortion with drugs you brought yourself or had someone send to you from your country of origin, you could be charged with self-abortion (Article 212 of the Penal Code) and if you are found guilty, you will be sentenced to imprisonment with work for up to 1 year.

What should I do if I have a child but cannot raise the child?

If you have no choice but to give birth but cannot raise the child, please consult a doctor immediately. If a child dies after giving birth alone without consulting a doctor, there is a risk of being charged with “negligence as a guardian resulting in death” (if the baby died immediately after the birth) or “abandonment of a corpse” (if the baby was a stillborn). If you find out that you are pregnant, talk to a doctor in any case.

If you are unable to raise your baby for any reason, the Child Guidance Center “児童相談所 jido sodanjo”, or the Child Care Support Division “子育て支援課 kosodate shienka” of your city can support you. Please consult immediately.

The story of those who gave birth in Japan

The story of a technical intern trainee who gave birth in Japan
The story of an international student who gave birth in Japan
This website is owned and operated by Kumustaka-Association for Living Together with Migrants with the cooperation of support organizations inside and outside the prefecture including Asian Women's Center, Legal Advice Office for Technical Intern Trainees, Kumamoto Consultation and Support Plaza for Foreign Residents, Kumamoto Support Center for Foreign Residents, Kumamoto YWCA, as well as Tanaka,  Masako PhD at Sophia University and obstetrician-gynecologist, Dr. Fujita, Keiko.

A part of the manuscript on this website results from the JSPS Fund for the Fostering International Joint Research (B) Migrant Women and SDGs: Access to Sexual / Reproductive Health (18KK0030).
コムスタカ―外国人と共に生きる会
Kumustaka - Association for Living Together with Migrants
Nhóm Kumustaka – Đồng hành với người ngoại quốc

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