Emergency care for toddlers will be reviewed as the government looks to set up 24-hour pediatric "life-saving centers" across Japan, according to a health ministry panel.
Experts say the death rate for children between 1 and 4 is relatively high in major economies, and that Japan needs to deal with the problem.
In an interim report made available Saturday, a panel of medical experts proposed that existing emergency medical centers, pediatric hospitals and other key local hospitals be put to use in efforts to improve care for toddlers in critical condition.
The report said that it is important for local communities to designate medical institutions so they can accept children who need emergency treatment as quickly as possible.