#Japan #Tokyo #Kids Public #Online Support #Midwife Consultation

Kids Public Expands Online Midwife Consultation Services

In an effort to enhance support for parents, Kids Public, headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo, is set to expand its online health consultation service titled "Daytime Midwife Consultation". Starting from April 1, 2026, the service will be available every weekday instead of the current three days a week, which includes Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Current and Future Consultation Days

• - Current days: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
• - Future days (post-April 2026): Monday to Friday.

Consultation hours will remain from 1 PM to 5 PM, excluding holidays and the New Year period.

Overview of “Daytime Midwife Consultation” Service

Kids Public provides a robust online health consultation platform that allows direct access to pediatricians, obstetricians, and midwives via LINE, email, phone, and video calls. Launched in earnest to municipalities in 2023, the “Daytime Midwife Consultation” service enables parents to address any queries or concerns regarding pregnancy and child-rearing with qualified midwives conveniently.

The chat-based format allows for unlimited interactions during the consultation hours, making communication more flexible and accessible for parents.

Rationale Behind Daily Consultation Expansion

The “Daytime Midwife Consultation” began as a pilot project in Yokohama’s Kohoku Ward in Kanagawa Prefecture in 2021 and has since been expanded. The Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare has been promoting seamless support from pregnancy through parenting since 2017, yet various municipalities still grapple with staffing and budget constraints, necessitating an enhancement of support frameworks.

Moreover, the rise in nuclear family households and dual-income families has led to an increase in parents who lack easy access to a reliable source for child-rearing advice. In response to user feedback, municipalities, and the midwives within Kids Public, the decision to expand consultation days has been made.

Potential of Online Health Consultation Services

While many municipalities conduct parenting counseling sessions and face-to-face health checks, challenges such as the burden of going out and diminished health check opportunities as children grow can hinder support. Online services cater to the rising need for accessible consultation without the constraints of physical presence, offering a solution that fits seamlessly into busy family schedules.

Between April 2021 and March 2025, the “Daytime Midwife Consultation” received 6,547 inquiries, averaging 31.5 consultations per week. Approximately 76% of the inquirers are parents of infants, with the most common concerns being about parenting at 47.2% and baby food-related queries at 16.7%. The diverse nature of these concerns highlights the complexity parents face, providing an excellent opportunity for expert guidance.

At Kids Public, midwives offer tailored advice through one-on-one communication on LINE, addressing individual circumstances. This online service aims to complement in-person support from municipalities and foster a more robust support network for families.

Testimonials from Partner Municipalities

One notable benefit of the online consultation initiative is its ability to provide ongoing support to expectant and parenting individuals who may not visit municipal offices in person. There's a pressing need to form a real-time support system, and the extension of daily availability for “Daytime Midwife Consultation” will facilitate greater collaboration between local residents and Kids Public, ultimately leading to improved quality of life in communities.

Insights from Midwife Ota, in charge of Daytime Midwife Consultation

As one of the midwives engaged with this consultation service, I am genuinely thrilled about the extension of consultation days. We offer various services, including a one-on-one query option available anytime and a reservation-based audio/video service for late-night consultations. The