Online Maternity and Pediatric Consultation Service Launched in Toride City, Ibaraki Prefecture

Launch of 'Online Maternity and Pediatric Service' in Toride City, Ibaraki

On June 1, 2026, Kids Public Co., Ltd., located in Chiyoda, Tokyo, has partnered with Toride City (Mayor: Osamu Nakamura) to introduce its 'Online Maternity and Pediatric Service' for residents. This innovative initiative aims to create a supportive environment for families by making it easier to consult obstetricians, midwives, and pediatricians through smartphones, thereby contributing to a community where pregnancy, childbirth, and child-rearing can be undertaken with peace of mind.

Background of the Service Implementation

Toride City has been actively working towards realizing a 'child-centered society' and will launch the 'Third Phase of Toride City’s Childcare Support Project Plan' in 2025. With the fundamental principle of nurturing future generations, the city aims to enhance both the quantity and quality of childcare support measures. Previously, efforts such as implementing infant health checks via the 'ToriCo' childcare app and providing childcare information have shown the city's commitment to utilizing ICT for comprehensive consultation support.

The city faces common challenges such as a decrease in regional medical facilities, a shortage of healthcare professionals, and an aging population. Particularly, the upcoming reform in physician working hours from April 2024 will prompt a significant shift in pediatric emergency services within the Joso area, which includes Toride, Moriya, Tone, Tsukubamirai and Joso cities. This situation exacerbates the anxiety among families regarding where to seek help during nights and weekends, leading to the need for the establishment of new support systems.

To address these needs, the 'Online Maternity and Pediatric Service' has been established, providing residents with immediate access to healthcare professionals without the constraints of location or time. This initiative is expected to significantly enhance support for pregnancy, childbirth, and child-rearing in Toride, contributing to the city’s goal of becoming a family-friendly community.

About Toride City, Ibaraki Prefecture

Located at the southern end of Ibaraki Prefecture, Toride City is strategically positioned at the center of a triangle between Tokyo, Narita, and Tsukuba, offering both convenience and a rich natural environment. The city is known for its magnificent views along the Tone River and cultural initiatives, such as joint art projects with citizens and the Tokyo University of the Arts, fostering a vibrant cultural community. Toride also aims to balance its urban vitality with a serene living environment, aspiring to be a place where residents fall in love more the longer they stay.

In response to the challenges posed by a declining birthrate and aging population, the city has prioritized building a seamless support system for families raising children. The introduction of this online health consultation service not only seeks to maintain and strengthen the local medical framework but also supports citizens' tranquility through innovative use of ICT—pioneering advances in municipal models.

Features of the 'Online Maternity and Pediatric Consultation' Services

Residents of Toride City can consult with pediatricians, obstetricians, and midwives online for free. The platform also allows male partners to inquire about women's health issues.

1. Anytime Consultation: Available 24/7
Residents can send messages via a web form in a question-and-answer format, with responses typically provided within 24 hours.

2. Night Consultation: Weekdays from 6 PM to 10 PM
10-minute appointment slots allow families to consult with maternity and pediatric healthcare professionals, with options for LINE chat or video calls.

3. Daytime Midwife Consultation: Weekdays from 1 PM to 5 PM
Instant messaging with midwives on LINE is available without prior appointments, allowing for in-depth discussions without time pressure.

4. Consultation Search Feature
The platform also includes a database of reliable Q&A created by healthcare professionals, enabling users to find similar past inquiries relative to their concerns.

Comment from Mayor Osamu Nakamura of Toride City

Starting June 1, we will launch the 'Online Maternity and Pediatric Consultation' service, allowing pregnant individuals and parents with children up to 18 years old in Toride City to receive free consultations from professionals during hours when medical facilities are closed. This initiative uses various digital platforms for consultations, including video calls, chats on LINE, telephone consultations, and web forms. By establishing this service, we aim to alleviate some of the anxieties faced by parents and ensure a nurturing environment for child-rearing, further fortifying our systems of support within Toride City.

About Kids Public

Founded in 2015 by pediatrician Naoya Hashimoto, Kids Public initiated its online health consultation services in May 2016. In 2017, obstetrician Daisuke Shigemi joined the company, launching the Obstetrics Online service the following year. As of 2023, the company began offering daytime midwife consultations, achieving over 300,000 consultations to date. The organization has base support from over 250 healthcare professionals, allowing continuous access to pediatricians, obstetricians, and midwives online. Through advocating for seamless support throughout pregnancy and parenting, Kids Public aims to create a society where every child can develop healthily. The company emphasizes research and development regarding its services, having partnered with over 230 municipalities for consultations and service testing.