Introduction
In today's society, where more and more people are choosing not to marry or have children, do you know what "pre-pregnancy care" actually entails?
In fact, the government is now supporting a new initiative"Preconception care (or 'precon' for short)"This concept is attracting attention. It's no longer uncommon for companies to provide loans to cover the costs of freezing eggs and sperm.
In this article,"Precon"This article provides a clear explanation of what this is, why the government has started requesting it from companies, and examples of companies that are actually implementing it.
What is preconception care (precon)? Why is it attracting attention now?
A healthcare system for women and couples before pregnancy.
According to the WHO (World Health Organization), preconception care refers to "medical, behavioral, and social health interventions for women and couples before pregnancy." While it is already being implemented as part of public health policies in countries such as the UK and Australia, awareness of it is still low in Japan.
A new approach to addressing the declining birthrate
The Agency for Child and Family Affairs has compiled a five-year plan. This is not simply about "preparing for pregnancy," but aims to equip individuals, regardless of gender, with accurate knowledge about sex and health in anticipation of future pregnancy and childbirth. The key term is "fertility," which refers to the "ability to conceive." In other words, improving current lifestyle habits and health conditions will increase the chances of future pregnancy.
The government's aim for an 80% implementation rate
This five-year plan sets an astonishing goal: "To increase the implementation rate of pre-processing measures among companies that respond to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's health management survey to 80%."
In order to address challenges such as the worsening of the declining birthrate and aging population, and the increasing proportion of low birth weight babies, the government is hoping that companies will also play a role in promoting pre-construction.
Advantages and disadvantages of a company
When a company installs pre-conducting equipment, the following benefits are available:
- This will help you stand out when recruiting talent.
- To improve employee health and well-being
- This will lead to work style reform and improved employee engagement.
However, on the other hand"The risk of forcing those who choose not to have children to feel ashamed or uncomfortable."It's important to note that there are some issues. First, it's necessary to deepen your understanding of pre-contests.
Three concrete examples of initiatives actually being implemented by companies
1. JTB's initiatives: Medical expense loans and expanded leave system
JTB, a major travel company, added "egg and sperm freezing" to its internal system in August 2024.
Detailed conditions:
- Loan limit: 1.2 million yen
- Repayment period: 5 years
- Repayment method: Generally, 60 installments deducted directly from salary.
- Reason for application: Interest-free loans are available to cover the costs of freezing eggs and sperm in preparation for pregnancy and childbirth.
- Expansion of leave system
In October of the same year, the following additions were made to broaden the framework for menstrual leave:
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Gender reassignment surgery and infertility treatment visits
- Paid leave can be taken up to 2 days per month.
Why is JTB taking on this challenge? DEIB Team Manager Mayumi Ashihara gives the following reasons:
"Many of our employees have irregular work schedules and jobs that make it difficult to manage their health, such as tour guides accompanying school trips and group tours. Creating an environment where employees can work for a long time was an urgent issue for us."
2. Unicharm: Offering fertility training programs for companies
Unicharm has been providing menstrual hygiene training for schools and workplaces, starting with its menstrual hygiene product brand "Sofy." Leveraging this expertise, they will launch "fertility training" for companies in April 2025.
- Companies that have already conducted training: Over 60 companies
- We are currently receiving applications from multiple companies.
- My schedule for the rest of the year is filling up.
Why is Unicharm taking on this challenge? Chikako Nagai, Deputy General Manager of Marketing for the Global Feminine Care SBU, points out the following:
"It is important, both from the perspective of human capital management and competitiveness, for a company to be a place where employees can work with peace of mind. Precon can be one of the initiatives that support that foundation."
3. General methods and procedures for installing pre-containers
When a company implements pre-conductivity, the following steps are taken:
- Information Provision – Communicate the overview and benefits of pre-conductive technology to employees.
- Training sessions – to spread knowledge about reproductive health and infertility treatments.
- Reflecting benefits in employee welfare – Establishing systems such as subsidies for egg and sperm freezing costs.
- Establishment of a consultation service – serving as a link to specialized organizations.
Advice from Unicharm
"From the perspective of a company's competitiveness, Precon is an important foundation," says Mr. Nagai. "With implementation already being carried out by more than 60 companies, the barrier to entry has been lowered."
Supplementary information and points to note regarding support for pre-construction projects
A clear explanation of the meaning of technical terms.
- Egg freezing: A procedure to preserve reproductive capacity for the future.
- Sperm freezing: Provides a similar function for men.
- PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome): Physical and mental discomfort before menstruation.
- Gender reassignment surgery: A medical procedure to recognize a gender identity different from that assigned at birth.
A supplement that doesn't get too technical.
Pre-con support provides a foundation for aligning with employees' life plans and enabling diverse choices. However, there is also the risk of "forcing those who choose not to have children to feel uncomfortable or marginalized."
From a "work perspective":
- First, it is necessary to deepen our understanding of pre-construction.
- Companies need to consider how involved they should be in addressing these challenges.
- The responses and actions of each company may vary.
Data points
- Item JTB case Uni-Charm case
- Start date August 2024 April 2025
- Number of participating companies: Over 60
- Loan limit: 1.2 million yen
- Topics covered: Egg and sperm freezing, fertility treatment training
- Disadvantages and challenges
>Consideration is needed for those who have chosen not to have children.
Precon is still not well-known in Japan.
Pressure due to the possibility of being seen as a measure to address the declining birthrate.
Summary: Insights about work and life lessons
"Pre-pregnancy care impacts not only individual health but also the future of companies." This five-year plan goes beyond mere "childcare support." Against the backdrop of a declining birthrate and an aging population, the concept of "preconception care" is becoming a bridge connecting individual health with corporate human resource strategies.
Insights about work:
- Health management is directly linked to labor productivity.
- Employee benefits programs can be a powerful tool in attracting talent.
- Supporting employees' life plans leads to increased engagement.
Insights into life:
- Develop the habit of regularly reviewing your own health and reproductive capabilities.
- Obtain necessary information early and take action at the appropriate time.
- Medical checkups and lifestyle changes should be viewed not "solely for pregnancy" but "for health management."
In modern society, the meaning of the term "pre-pregnancy care" goes beyond mere biological concerns. It represents a new concept that connects corporate social responsibility with individual health awareness.
Preconception care should be considered as one of the new solutions to the challenge of declining birth rates that Japanese companies will face in the future.
The real issue isn't a simple choice between "to have children or not," but rather "creating an environment where people can live healthy and secure lives." Both companies and individuals need to reconsider their approach from this perspective.
In response to the social challenge of a declining birthrate and aging population, preconception programs (Precon) are a key initiative that can balance maintaining corporate competitiveness with promoting individual health. It is crucial to first deepen our understanding of them and then consider implementing them as needed.
