NGO Survey: 50% of Low-Income Expectant Mothers in Japan Report Insufficient Child Care Products

One in two expectant or new mothers who need financial support in Japan said they could not prepare sufficient child care products, according to a survey by Save the Children Japan. The inability to sufficiently prepare baby and maternity goods was cited by 50.3%, and difficulties paying rent and utility bills by 44.9%.

Eighty-eight percent of respondents said they could not work as much as they wanted to due to pregnancy or childbirth. The survey covered 316 individuals who applied for the Tokyo-based NGO's child care support, with responses received from all participants. It was conducted between September and November 2025.

Among those surveyed, 75% were single parents, including those who had never married. Half of those surveyed reported they had no savings.

Among single parents, 32.9% reported no arrangements for child support with the fathers of their children, while 16.5% said their former partners have no intention of acknowledging their children. These details come from the survey.

“There is a lack of material support such as disposable diapers and financial aid such as child allowances,” an official from the NGO said. “There are people who are not covered under the system, such as those whose children have not been acknowledged by the other party,” the official said.

Save the Children Japan is based in Tokyo. The survey highlights ongoing challenges for expectant and new mothers in accessing necessary resources amid financial constraints.

On April 1, Japan introduced a system to allow divorced parents living with their children to claim at least ¥20,000 ($125) per month in child support from separated parents without prior arrangements.