If you are raising a baby in Japan, you have probably heard of the Boshi Techo (母子手帳). But if you are new to Japan or curious about Japanese parenting culture, you might be wondering — what exactly is inside this little handbook?
What Is the Boshi Techo?
The Boshi Techo, officially called the Mother and Child Health Handbook, is a government-issued booklet given to every pregnant person in Japan when they register their pregnancy at their local municipal office. It is free of charge and follows the family from pregnancy all the way through the child’s school years.
What’s Actually Inside?
The handbook is divided into several sections:
Pregnancy Section
Records of prenatal checkups, weight and blood pressure measurements, ultrasound notes, and space for the mother to write about how she is feeling throughout pregnancy.
Birth Record
Details of the birth including date, time, weight, length, and any notes from the delivery.
Newborn and Infant Health Records
This is the section you will use most in the early years. It includes spaces to record every health checkup at 1 month, 3–4 months, 6–7 months, 9–10 months, 1 year, 1.5 years, and 3 years. Each checkup section covers weight, height, developmental milestones, and doctor’s notes.
Vaccination Record
A complete chart of all recommended vaccinations in Japan, with spaces to record the date each vaccine was given. This becomes very important if you ever travel or relocate internationally.
Growth Charts
Standard growth curves for weight and height so you can see how your baby is developing over time.
Developmental Milestone Notes
Spaces to record when your baby first smiled, rolled over, sat up, said their first word, and took their first steps.
Parent’s Notes Section
Many versions of the Boshi Techo include pages for parents to write memories, thoughts, and reflections — almost like a baby diary built into the handbook.
Why Is It So Useful?
Everything is in one place. When you visit a clinic, hospital, or vaccination center in Japan, you bring your Boshi Techo and the medical staff record everything directly into it. There is no need to remember which vaccines your baby has had or what their weight was at the last checkup.
It also becomes a keepsake — many Japanese parents hold onto their Boshi Techo long after their children have grown up.
One Thing to Know If You Are a Non-Japanese Speaker
The standard Boshi Techo is written entirely in Japanese. However, many municipalities in Japan now offer multilingual versions in English, Chinese, Korean, and other languages. It is worth asking at your local municipal office when you register your pregnancy.
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