maternity
Postpartum Depression
産後うつ (sango utsu)
Postpartum depression is a mood disorder affecting women after childbirth, characterized by persistent sadness, anxiety, exhaustion, and difficulty bonding with the baby. In Japan, awareness has grown in recent years. Local health centers screen for postpartum depression at one-month and four-month infant checkups using standardized questionnaires. Foreign residents may find culturally appropriate Japanese-language counseling limited; English-speaking mental health professionals in major cities and some international hospitals can provide suitable support.
Japan introduced mandatory postnatal mental health screening at the one-month and four-month infant checkups as part of a national policy initiative launched to reduce postpartum depression and maternal isolation.
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Postpartum Depression |
| Japanese (日本語) | 産後うつ |
| Chinese (中文) | 产后抑郁症 |
| Korean (한국어) | 산후 우울증 |
| Portuguese | Depressão pós-parto |
| Spanish | Depresión posparto |
| Filipino | Postpartum depression |
| Thai | ภาวะซึมเศร้าหลังคลอด |
| Vietnamese | Trầm cảm sau sinh |
| Romanization | sango utsu |
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Read the guide →Last reviewed: September 2026