How do we create an environment in Japan where a woman who doesn't want others to know she is pregnant can give birth safely?

       Jikei Hospital in the city of Kumamoto in southwest Japan has been attracting national attention for its practice of accepting anonymous births under its de facto "confidential birth" system so long as the expectant mother reveals their identity to the hospital.

       A woman who wished to use the system was admitted to the hospital, and gave birth in November. In the end, she agreed to let her family be notified of the delivery, thereby avoiding Japan's first confidential birth, but there have in the past reportedly been similar discussions with other cases.

       Behind this is the issue of isolated births, in which some pregnant women deliver their newborn children at locations where they cannot receive medical care, such as in cars or at home.

       Since May 2007, Jikei Hospital has operated a "baby hatch" -- formally the Konotori no Yurikago (stork's cradle) -- which anonymously accepts babies whose parents are unable to raise them alone. Of the 159 babies it had taken into care as of March this year, about half had come from isolated births. The proportion has been rising in recent years, too.

       The lives of mothers and babies in births without medical care are exposed to danger. There are also cases of unexpected pregnancies leading to isolated births in which babies have been allowed to die. Confidential births could encourage the prevention of these tragedies.

       But there are numerous issues still associated with the practice.

       First of all, as there are no laws in Japan that make provisions for confidential births, it is feared that newborn children will not be assigned to family registers.

       In the case of newborn babies left abandoned outside hospitals and other locations, the children are assigned a family register with legal basis. But there are no provisions for family registers for children born confidentially.

       While the Kumamoto Municipal Government did confer with the Ministry of Justice about the circumstances it heard from Jikei Hospital, it was just told that "a response is difficult."

       The issues brought up by the hospital have been an opportunity for the designated city mayors' association, which includes the Kumamoto Municipal Government, to petition the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to create legal provisions recognizing confidential births. But there have been no tangible moves toward their establishment.

       How to preserve children's right to know their origins is also an issue. At Jikei Hospital, once the children reach a certain age they can receive information about their parents if they want it. But this is ultimately a decision taken by the hospital.

       What could be of consideration is the confidential birth laws brought in by Germany in 2014. If an expectant mother reveals their identity to public facilities such as a consultation center, they can receive medical care to give birth under a pseudonym. When the child turns 16, they gain the right to learn about their biological mother.

       It is the national government's responsibility to create a system that lets women give birth safely, whatever the circumstances. It cannot just be left to hospitals, local governments and others on the ground.

       Font Size S M L Print Timeline 0