Good Childbirth Day (Ii Osan no Hi)

What is Good Childbirth Day (November 3rd)?

November 3rd is celebrated in Japan as "Good Childbirth Day" (Ii Osan no Hi). The date comes from a wordplay on numbers: "11" can be read as "ii," meaning "good," and "3" can be read as "san," which echoes "osan," the Japanese word for childbirth—together forming "ii osan," or "good childbirth." The day was established to call for improvements in the environment surrounding childbirth, and to express gratitude and support for everyone involved—both those giving birth and those supporting them. Its purpose is to support expectant and new mothers and to spread accurate information about childbirth and child-rearing.

Childbirth in Japan: Trends and Changes

Japan's birth rate has been declining for years, making the low birthrate a major societal challenge. At the same time, advances in medical technology have brought Japan's perinatal mortality rate to among the lowest in the world. In recent years, the concept of "birth by choice" has spread, with growing options that respect the wishes of the person giving birth—including natural childbirth, epidural (painless) delivery, water birth, and freestyle delivery.

What Is a Birth Plan?

A "birth plan" is a document prepared in advance describing how a person hopes their childbirth will go—for example, whether they want a partner present, whether they'd like music played, or whether they want to do "kangaroo care" (skin-to-skin contact) immediately after birth. Sharing these wishes with the maternity hospital can help the parent feel more at ease going into delivery. While not every wish can necessarily be granted, the very process of putting one's thoughts into words helps a person take an active role in their own birth experience.

Gratitude to the People Who Support Childbirth

• Obstetricians and Midwives: medical professionals who support the arrival of new life around the clock
• Partners and Family: those who provide close support from pregnancy through child-rearing
• Community Pre- and Postnatal Support: childcare consultation services, postpartum care centers, and more

Things to Think About on Good Childbirth Day

For those who have already given birth, this is a day to look back on their own birth experience and express gratitude to family and medical staff. For those who are currently pregnant, it can be a chance to begin thinking about a birth plan. The hope behind this commemorative day is to build a culture in which everyone—including men—can talk openly about childbirth as a familiar topic in society.