We’re thrilled to announce that NEXTBLUE, Asia’s first fund dedicated to women’s wellbeing and female founders, has led the pre-Series A round for Josan-she’s, Inc. (hereinafter “Josan-she’s”), a Tokyo-based startup pioneering Japan’s first and only platform that connects families with midwives for support. This funding round raised approximately 200 million yen ($1.3M).
Addressing Critical Gaps in Maternal Care
With this investment, Josan-she’s will expand its business with a focus on prenatal and postnatal care. The company aims to tackle Japan’s declining birthrate by modernizing outdated maternal care systems and promoting women’s empowerment. Their mission is to create a society where more families can welcome children with confidence and peace of mind.
The Growing Need for Support in Japan
Despite government efforts to encourage childbirth, Japan faces a pressing issue: suicide remains the leading cause of death among pregnant and postpartum women. This is largely due to the increased burden of childcare, the rise of nuclear families, and the challenge of balancing work and family life. Josan-she’s is committed to addressing these issues by providing vital support to families.
Comprehensive Services for Families and Hospitals
Josan-she’s offers a range of services, including:
- Newborn Babysitting & Personalized Care – Midwife-led, specialized support tailored to each family’s needs.
- OB Hospital Support – Enhancing operational efficiency and patient services through digital health technology.
- Maternity and Postnatal Specialist Staffing – Expanding work opportunities for midwives, nurses, and nursery teachers.
- Postnatal Care Facility Operations & Consulting – Supporting the setup and management of in-house postnatal care facilities.
Unlocking the Potential of Japan’s Midwife Workforce
Japan has approximately 60,000 certified midwives, many of whom are unable to work due to the rigid, full-time employment requirements of OB hospitals and birth clinics. Josan-she’s is changing this by providing flexible work opportunities, enabling midwives to contribute to maternal and child healthcare on their own terms.
Why we invested
The current landscape of childbirth and childcare presents significant challenges for families. At NEXTBLUE, we are proud to lead Josan-she’s Pre-Series A round, supporting their mission to ease the anxiety and burden of prenatal and postpartum care.
Our decision to invest was driven by the team’s deep expertise, unwavering passion, and commitment to truly reflecting the voices of their users. We believe Josan-she’s services will not only bring peace of mind to families but also drive fundamental change in the maternal healthcare environment in Japan.
