In Japan the National Health Insurance doesn't cover the cost of a pregnancy. However, you will get some coupons from prenatal visits at the same time as the Boshi Techo and you are supposed to receive a "lump sum birth allowance" (出産育児一時金 Chussan Ikuji Ichijikin), given that you registered your pregnancy and applied for this allowance.
Until October 2009, the amount of this allowance was fixed to 350,000JPY or 380,000JPY if the hospital is under the Obstetric Medical Compensation System. It increased for all babies from November 1st 2009 to 390,000 or 420,000JPY as part of government measures trying to help raise the birth rate in Japan. These measures will be in place until the end of March 2011.
From April 2011, the amount of the lump sum birth allowance has yet to be defined. Let's hope that the amount won't decrease to its previous value, the total cost of giving birth in Japan being easily greater (in Tokyo up to twice) the previous amount of the allowance.
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