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Babies given chance in baby hatch - 30th September 2022

At Japan’s Jikei hospital, desperate women who feel unable to keep their babies due to challenging personal circumstances, can place them in a secure baby hatch and know their child will be well-cared for.

The lead doctor on the premises is Takeshi Hasuda.

Takeshi Hasuda: "The most important role our baby hatch system has played so far is to provide a sort of last resort for women left alienated by society, when they have an unexpected pregnancy or unwanted pregnancy."

Once the alarm bell rings, the nurses rush downstairs to pick the baby up. Finding the mother as well is a major bonus, since they can offer support and even persuade her to supply her identity. With time, the child may wish to find out more about their origins.

One such baby is student Koichi Miyatsu, now 18, who was left in the baby hatch as a small child. While he cherishes the belongings that were carefully placed alongside him, he’s positive that his birth mother chose wisely.

Koichi Miyatsu: "The day I was left there was the day a new chapter of my life began. I think it was good that I was given to the baby hatch. Because I was given to the hatch, I met my current parents and now live like this. I am grateful for it. I owe what I am today to the baby hatch."

Baby hatches aren’t unique to Japan and can be found in countries like South Korea, Pakistan and the US, but they’re frequently banned.

The Catholic-run Jikei hospital, established in 2007, is home to the only one in Japan. The hatches sometimes receive criticism there, in a society where registrations of births, deaths and marriages within a family go back generations.

Although the process is confidential, officials working on behalf of the children make great efforts to assist them. 80 percent of the 161 babies left at Jikei have since discovered their birth mothers’ identity and 20 percent have rejoined their parents or relatives.