More than 5,500 people are now recognized as "advanced midwives" able to oversee women in labor without the assistance of doctors. It is hoped they will help to make up for the shortage of obstetricians.

In December, the nonprofit organization Japan Institute of Midwifery Evaluation granted the qualification to 5,562 midwives, the first to evaluate a midwife's ability and experience under a unified criteria. They are certified able to assist childbirth with mothers who had no prenatal problems.

The Japanese Nursing Association and other medical groups have welcomed the move, saying midwives should be empowered to oversee births alone, with the provision that a doctor is called in during an emergency.