To Tackle a Baby Shortage, Tokyo Tries Easing the Pain of Childbirth

The Wall Street JournalSunday, October 12, 2025 at 3:00:00 AM
To Tackle a Baby Shortage, Tokyo Tries Easing the Pain of Childbirth
Tokyo is taking a significant step to address its baby shortage by introducing subsidies for epidurals, making childbirth less painful and more accessible for women. In Japan, the high costs associated with pain relief during delivery have often discouraged women from seeking the help they need. This initiative not only aims to ease the physical burden of childbirth but also encourages more families to consider having children, which is crucial for the country's declining birth rate.
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