With the number of births in Japan hitting a record low for a 10th consecutive year since data collection began in 1899, increasing attention is being paid to preconception care, an initiative aimed at encouraging people to acquire knowledge on pregnancy and childbirth.
Preconception care was first introduced in the United States in 2006 as a set of interventions that aim to identify and modify risks to safe childbirth prior to pregnancy.
It is currently considered to be a comprehensive approach for everyone regardless of gender or age to gain knowledge on well-being and pregnancy, as well as to examine plans for the future and manage lifestyles.
Preconception care has been part of government policy since 2018.
In May last year, a Children and Families Agency panel created a five-year plan for the government to promote preconception care, with a target of making the initiative recognized by at least 80% of the younger generation.
The agency said it will work with local governments, companies and educational institutions to spread the idea and also improve consultation services.
It also noted the importance of sending out information, especially to young people, on how one¡¯s lifestyle habits could affect future generations and about how age is a factor affecting fertility.
Last month, deputy ministers of health-related ministries who met to discuss preventive healthcare proposed that preconception care be pushed forward at schools and companies.
The proposal is also expected to be reflected in this year¡¯s honebuto no h¨shin ¡ª a document that sets economic and fiscal management guidelines for the government ¡ª to be compiled in the summer.
Asako Mito, head of the preconception care center at the National Center for Child Health and Development, said the number of high-risk pregnancies and childbirths due to such factors as advanced age, being underweight or obesity is increasing in Japan.
She pointed out that many people lack health literacy ¡ª the ability to understand and use accurate information on sex and reproduction.
¡°It is necessary to complement it with an international-standard, comprehensive sexuality education,¡± said Mito, who has been involved in preconception care counseling and promotion since around 2015.
¡°Living a healthy life both physically and mentally is at the root of preconception care, so the idea is essential for everyone, not only younger generations or people wishing to have a child.
¡°Sending out accurate knowledge and connecting people with risks to appropriate care will lead to the well-being of newborn babies and improvement in falling birthrates.¡±
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