In a groundbreaking step, Japanese authorities move to make childbirth costless, alongside the establishment of a novel insurance framework. This ambitious plan is aimed at combatting Japan's declining birth rates and soaring healthcare costs. The details of this launch including its timeline, funding, and effectivity remain undisclosed.

Japan is known for its ageing population and declining birth rate, which presents serious demographic and economic challenges. This move is a response to those challenges, combining public health and welfare policies to encourage young families. Free childbirth and improved health insurance are issues of significant public interest in Japan, tied to broader discussions about demographic trends, social security, and gender equality.

In comparison, the US does not have universal healthcare, and childbirth can often entail prohibitively high costs. By contrast, EU countries such as France and Germany provide comparatively better public healthcare facilities, including maternity services, yet the concept of free birth remains an innovation.