Okayama Prefecture, Takahashi City, fully introduces 'Obstetrics and Pediatrics Online' from April 2026

Kids Public Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative: Naoya Hashimoto) has been commissioned by Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture (Mayor: Yoshio Ishida) to officially launch its 'Obstetrics and Pediatrics Online' service for Takahashi City residents starting April 1, 2026. Following a trial period since August 1, 2025, and positive feedback from residents, the service has now been fully implemented.

By regularizing an environment where families can easily consult with obstetricians, midwives, and pediatricians from their smartphones, we will support the creation of a city where people can safely experience pregnancy, childbirth, and child-rearing.

▼Press release regarding the start of the trial provision to Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture: New support through online consultation for challenges such as the absence of birthing medical facilities and shortage of medical professionals – Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture, introduces 'Obstetrics and Pediatrics Online Consultation' (free trial) https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000288.000019477.html

Background of 'Obstetrics and Pediatrics Online' Introduction Takahashi City formulated its unique medical plan in 2018 (Heisei 30) and the "2nd Takahashi City Medical Plan" in 2025, promoting initiatives to establish and maintain a regional medical care system based on the philosophy of "regional medicine is community development." In particular, facing the significant challenge of not having any birthing obstetric medical facilities within the city, they have focused on enhancing childbirth and childcare support systems, such as establishing emergency transport support like "Mama Support 119" in cooperation with the fire department.

However, amidst a nationwide shortage of medical professionals and an aging population, there have been calls from child-rearing households for further enrichment of pediatric and perinatal medical care, and a support system that can alleviate daily anxieties. In response to these needs, the city implemented a free trial of 'Obstetrics and Pediatrics Online' from August 2025 as an online health and medical consultation service accessible to specialists regardless of location or time.

During the trial period, users provided feedback such as, "It's helpful to be able to easily consult when I'm unsure whether to go to the hospital or have minor concerns, and the 24-hour reception is appreciated," and "The doctor's response was very polite and made me feel supported." Additionally, when asked, "How would your impression of the local government's pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare support change if 'Obstetrics and Pediatrics Online' was offered free of charge?" over 80% of respondents answered that their impression of the local government's support would improve.

With the full introduction from April 2026, by providing an environment where families can easily consult with obstetricians, midwives, and pediatricians from their smartphones, we will contribute to further supporting pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare in Takahashi City and realizing the city's goal of being a "child-friendly city."

About Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture Takahashi City is located in the central-western part of Okayama Prefecture, blessed with a warm climate emblematic of "Sunny Country Okayama" and an environment where one can live with peace of mind due to few natural disasters. It is a city rich in history and traditional culture, with national important cultural properties such as "Bitchu Matsuyama Castle," one of the 12 existing castle towers, "Fukiya," the birthplace of Japan Red certified as a Japan Heritage site, and "Bitchu Kagura," a national important intangible folk cultural asset. It also has a vibrant academic city aspect with universities, attracting young energy.

The city considers regional medical care as the foundation of community development and has established continuous support systems, including emergency transport support for pregnant women and accompanying consultation support. With the full introduction of this online health and medical consultation, the city is developing pioneering maternal and child health policies that integrate digital technology while valuing its historical regional culture.

Services available in Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture, for 'Obstetrics and Pediatrics Online' (partial list) Residents of Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture, can consult with pediatricians, obstetricians, and midwives online for free. Additionally, men (husbands, partners) can also consult about women's physical and mental health.

- Anytime Consultation: 24 hours a day One-question-one-answer style consultation where messages can be sent via a website form. Doctors and midwives will send a text response within 24 hours in principle.

- Nighttime Consultation: Weekdays 6 PM - 10 PM Reservable 10-minute consultations with obstetricians and pediatric medical professionals. Supports LINE chat and video calls, with reservations possible up to 15 minutes before the start of the consultation.

- Daytime Midwife Consultation: Weekdays 1 PM - 5 PM LINE message chat with a midwife is available without reservation. Consultations can be held at leisure without worrying about time.

- Search All Consultations Features highly reliable consultation cases created by doctors and midwives. Users can search past consultations for similar concerns.

About Kids Public Established in 2015 by pediatrician Naoya Hashimoto. In May 2016, 'Pediatrics Online' was launched as an online remote health and medical consultation service. In 2017, obstetrician Daisuke Shigemi joined, and the following year, 'Obstetrics Online' was launched. In 2023, the operation of 'Daytime Midwife Consultation' began. The number of registered users exceeds 150,000, and the total number of consultations is over 300,000. A distinctive feature is the establishment of a system where over 250 pediatricians, obstetricians, and midwives can be consulted online. The service offers a wide range of consultation options, including 'Anytime Consultation' where medical professionals can be consulted via text 24/7, 'Nighttime Consultation' for 10-minute video calls with medical professionals, and 'Search All Consultations' which allows searching over 40,000 consultation cases and answers created by doctors and midwives. The service has been adopted by over 230 local governments, and the company is also focusing on empirical studies, effectiveness verification, and research through online consultations. By utilizing ICT, Kids Public is working to provide continuous support from pregnancy to child-rearing, contributing to the realization of a society where everyone can grow up healthy.

[Company Profile] Company Name: Kids Public Inc. Location: SK Midoricho Building 5F, 11-8 Kanda Midoricho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Representative: Naoya Hashimoto Established: 2015 Employees: 35 (as of December 2025) Affiliated Medical Professionals: 267 (as of December 2025) URL: https://kids-public.co.jp/

Contact for this Press Release Kids Public Inc. Public Relations: Haruyama, Murakami TEL: 050-1732-0536 Email: pr@kids-public.co.jp