Regional Development of Postpartum Care Services and Centers Utilizing Institutional Features of the Japanese-style Neuvola System: A Comparative Analysis of a Metropolitan, a Mid-sized, and a Small Municipality

Nobuko Sekinaga*, Hiromi Tamura and Naoko Naitou

Purpose: This study comparatively analyzes postpartum care programs in three municipalities of different sizes from the perspective of the Japanese-style Neuvola to examine ideal regional support systems. 

Research method: A comparative policy study through a literature review based on official and public documents from each municipality. 

Results: City A features an advanced multidisciplinary and public-private collaborative model, City B focuses on early intervention from pregnancy, and City C utilizes home-visit support and ICT. However, institutional weaknesses in the “assigned system” and “continuity” of support emerged as common challenges across all cities. 

Conclusion: For practical development, it is essential to flexibly design four pillars according to regional characteristics: (1) institutionalizing the assigned system, (2) continuous support, (3) a one-stop consultation window, and (4) universal access.

Keywords:

Published on: Feb 24, 2026 Pages: 1-7

Full Text PDF Full Text HTML DOI: 10.17352/2455-2283.000129
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