Tokyo Struggles to Meet Surging Demand for New Fertility Subsidy

The Tokyo government is facing an overwhelming response to its new fertility subsidy program, aimed at tackling Japan’s low birth rates. More than 7,000 women have registered for information sessions about the program, which provides up to ¥300,000 ($2,023) towards the cost of egg-freezing. Since October, 1,800 women have already applied for the subsidy, surpassing the government’s expectations. Initially, the government had budgeted ¥60 million for subsidies, enough for 200 women to receive the maximum amount. However, Tokyo Mayor Yuriko Koike has announced plans to increase the budget significantly in response to the high demand.

This fertility program is open to all women between the ages of 18 and 39, including unmarried women, a departure from previous policies. There is no deadline for applications, and there is no predetermined limit to the number of subsidies that will be awarded. The Japanese government is growing increasingly concerned about the country’s record-low birthrate, which currently stands at 1.3. To combat this, in 2022, the government agreed to cover 70% of the costs of in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

Egg freezing is a costly assisted reproductive technology that can extend a woman’s fertility. In Japan, the typical cost ranges from ¥300,000 to 600,000, but it can reach into the millions. However, the success rate of using frozen eggs for pregnancy decreases with maternal age. According to a survey conducted by the Tokyo government, only 8.4% of individuals who froze their eggs were able to give birth using them.

Despite the limitations and challenges, the option of preserving young eggs and increasing the chances of pregnancy is crucial for women who are not yet ready to have children. Tokyo plans to evaluate the impact of the egg freezing program on the birthrate by collecting data from subsidy recipients. The government hopes that these initiatives will contribute to raising the country’s low birth rates.