Babies in the News: Japan's Baby Mail Box

by Valorie Delp | More from this Blogger

20 May 2007 07:58 AM

Last week, a city in southern Japan opened what can only be described as a mail box for babies. It is similar to our 'safe haven' laws, where a parent can drop a baby off at a hospital. . .no questions asked. The purpose of safe haven laws in the United States is to deter pregnant mothers from abandoning their babies in unsuitable conditions. At least if they're dropped off at the hospital, they have a chance at life.

In Japan, the purpose of the baby mail box is similar although a little different. Japanese health officials actually want to increase the birth rate (which is very, very low) and decrease the rate of abortion which is widely accepted there. By offering mothers another alternative than actually caring for their baby, they are hoping that less mothers will turn to abortion for unwanted pregnancies.

The drop off spot looks somewhat like a mailbox. There is a sign above it asking parents to please leave something with the baby. When the door is opened, a message over the intercom encourages parents to come in and talk with hospital staff and an alarm lets a nurse know that a baby has been dropped off.

It has been hotly debated and the conservative Japanese government does not condone it. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has very publicly condemned the baby mail box saying that parents are responsible for caring for their children and abandoning your child is unacceptable under any circumstances. He has gone further to say that the government takes responsibility for helping its parents raise their children. However, in the end, the mail box was approved because there were no legal grounds to oppose it.

I wonder if that will change now though. The baby mail box received its first baby this week. . .only this wasn't a baby at all but a three year old little boy. The little boy told hospital staff that 'he came with daddy.'

I think safe haven laws are good and although the idea of a baby mail box seems a little strange to me, I suppose it is equivalent. What I can't get over is how little human life is valued. I am sure there are mothers that agonize over leaving their children--I recognize that. But why it's deplorable to leave a baby in a mail box but it's acceptable to abort it--I will never understand. In a culture that so readily accepts abortion as 'normal', is abandoning your infant (or even toddler) really that far of a step beyond abortion? It would seem to follow the same line of logic--simply the next step.

Hopefully, the Japanese baby mail box will see no more toddlers and will be able to actively serve the purpose for which it was created.

Learn more about Valorie Delp

Hello everybody! My name is Valorie and I am one busy lady! When I'm not writing or editing for families, I am busy trying to get my brood of 5 in line.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger

Zoe (35) 06 Jan 2008 04:25 AM

I just want to nit pick.....Im sorry..... I live in Japan and Abortion certainly is NOT widely accepted here. Unfortunately I speak from experience. I fell pregnant while in an unhealthy relationship and decided to abort but found it extremely difficult to even find some where that would do it for me. I eventually did and the doctor performed the op under very mild sedation after putting sticks (!!! I kid you not!!!) into my cervix to dilate it. I felt the entire op....but that another story... There isnt alot of information on how to deal with new borns and how your life changes after a baby here so it is no wonder that women are finding they cant cope and feel like they need to hand over their children. I have a 9 month old now born here and its been difficult to get any help even from doctors....

Valorie Delp (49340) 06 Jan 2008 05:04 AM

Thanks for your comment. I should've written more clearly because I really meant abortion is acceptable in society in general. But thank you for clarifying. Your experience sounds awful.