Infertility affects roughly 15% of couples of reproductive age worldwide. As assisted reproductive technology continues to advance, more and more couples who once thought natural conception was out of reach are realizing their dream of parenthood through modern medicine.
Japan is one of the world's most advanced countries in assisted reproductive technology, performing among the highest annual number of IVF cycles globally. The Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology maintains strict certification standards for reproductive medicine institutions, and Japan leads Asia in the precision of critical processes such as culture medium formulation, embryo grading systems, and cryopreservation techniques.
For couples who have tried repeatedly at home without success, Japan's reproductive medicine teams often bring a more thorough diagnostic lens that can identify the underlying reason for previous failures and tailor the treatment plan accordingly — offering renewed hope.
Japan has long led Asia in the number of IVF cycles performed annually
years of accumulated clinical experience in assisted reproduction
precision in embryo culturing and grading, among the best in Asia
Japanese reproductive medicine institutions have deep expertise in culture medium development, incubator environmental control, and embryo morphology grading, with embryo survival and high-quality embryo rates among the best in Asia.
Japan was an early adopter of vitrification freezing technology, achieving very high survival rates for egg and embryo thawing — a reliable technical foundation for patients who need multiple transfer attempts or wish to preserve their fertility.
For patients who have experienced multiple failed IVF attempts, Japanese physicians conduct a more comprehensive evaluation of recurrent implantation failure, including immune factors and endometrial receptivity testing (ERA), to uncover the deeper underlying cause.
Japanese physicians carefully tailor ovarian stimulation medication based on each patient's ovarian reserve, age, and prior response — retrieving an adequate number of eggs while minimizing the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
Based on each couple's specific situation, Japanese physicians will recommend the most suitable technical approach
The woman's egg and the man's sperm are fertilized outside the body, and a well-developed embryo is then transferred into the uterus. Suitable for a wide range of causes of infertility — including tubal factors, ovulation disorders, and male sperm issues — this is the most widely used assisted reproductive technology today.
A single sperm is injected directly into an egg under a microscope — suitable for cases of severe male oligospermia, asthenospermia, or azoospermia. Japanese embryologists perform this procedure with exceptional precision, delivering consistently high fertilization rates.
High-quality embryos from a previous IVF cycle are cryopreserved and thawed for transfer once the uterine lining is in optimal condition. Japan's vitrification freezing technology achieves near-100% embryo thaw survival rates, with success rates comparable to, or even exceeding, fresh-cycle transfers.
Embryos are screened for chromosomal or genetic abnormalities before transfer, selecting chromosomally normal embryos for transfer — significantly reducing miscarriage rates and improving live birth rates. Especially well suited to women of advanced maternal age or those with a history of recurrent miscarriage.
Genetic testing identifies the optimal implantation window for embryo transfer, addressing recurrent implantation failure caused by a mismatch in endometrial timing. Well suited to patients who have experienced repeated failed transfers of high-quality embryos.
Well suited to women who don't currently plan to have children but wish to preserve their fertility, or who need to preserve fertility before cancer treatment. Japan's egg-freezing technology is mature, with fertilization rates after thawing close to those of fresh eggs.
From your initial assessment through a successful pregnancy, we're with you every step of the way
We translate and organize both partners' prior test reports and treatment records into Japanese and submit them to a Japanese reproductive specialist for an initial assessment, helping identify the reasons behind past failures and recommending a suitable path forward.
Based on the couple's specific circumstances (age, number of prior failed attempts, primary issues), we precisely match you with the most suitable Japanese reproductive specialty hospital and help arrange your first appointment.
We help with your medical visa application and coordinate your trips to Japan around your stimulation cycle and transfer schedule, offering accommodation recommendations and preparing for the logistics of multiple visits.
At every stage of your care in Japan — the initial consultation, testing, egg retrieval, and transfer — a professional medical interpreter accompanies you, ensuring you fully understand every medical decision along the way.
We help you understand how to use your ovarian stimulation medications and what precautions to take, and offer guidance on compliant access to medications that may be harder to source at home.
After your transfer, while you're back home, we help you stay in touch with your Japanese physician and translate your pregnancy test and follow-up results, supporting you through every key moment of the waiting period.
A complete IVF cycle typically takes 1 to 2 months and requires multiple trips to Japan
Contact MIZUHO PHARMA and briefly describe both partners' basic situation (age, prior test results, treatments received). Our advisor conducts an initial assessment and recommends the type of Japanese hospital and a preliminary treatment direction.
Timeframe: 1–2 business daysBoth partners' prior test reports are submitted; MIZUHO PHARMA translates and organizes them, then submits them to the matched Japanese reproductive specialty hospital and helps confirm your first appointment.
Timeframe: 5–7 business daysBoth partners travel to Japan for their initial assessment (for the woman: ovarian reserve and uterine exams; for the man: semen analysis). Based on the results, the physician develops a personalized IVF or other assisted reproduction plan and confirms the treatment schedule and cost.
Approx. 3–5 days in JapanThe woman begins ovarian stimulation medication according to the Japanese physician's protocol. Some monitoring can be done at home, with MIZUHO PHARMA helping translate ultrasound reports and relay them to the Japanese physician for remote guidance on dosage adjustments, reducing the number of trips required.
Approx. 10–14 daysOnce follicles are mature, the patient travels to Japan for the egg retrieval procedure (usually performed under anesthesia, taking about 20–30 minutes), with sperm collected from the male partner on the same day. Fertilization and embryo culturing take place in the lab, with embryo grading conducted after 3–5 days of culturing.
Approx. 3–5 days in JapanA fresh-cycle transfer can be performed 3–5 days after egg retrieval; if a frozen embryo transfer is chosen instead, it's scheduled during the next menstrual cycle, when the uterine lining is often in more ideal condition. Transfer is an outpatient procedure requiring no hospital stay, and patients can return to their accommodation the same day.
Approx. 2–3 days in JapanAfter the transfer, patients return home for luteal-phase support medication, with a blood test approximately 14 days later to confirm pregnancy. MIZUHO PHARMA helps translate your pregnancy test and early prenatal results and relay them to your Japanese physician, and helps arrange prenatal follow-up or subsequent treatment cycles as needed.
Pregnancy test approx. 14 days after transferSuccess rates vary considerably by age and individual circumstances. As a clinical pregnancy rate reference: women under 35 typically see a 40%–60% clinical pregnancy rate per embryo transfer; ages 35–40, roughly 30%–45%; and the rate declines significantly after age 40. Using PGT-A to screen for chromosomally normal embryos before transfer can further improve success rates. It's worth noting that the success rate of a single transfer doesn't reflect the final live birth rate — the cumulative live birth rate after multiple attempts is typically higher.
We recommend both partners travel together for the initial visit, so both can complete their baseline tests and assessment at the same time. On the day of egg retrieval, the husband needs to be present to provide a fresh sperm sample (earlier assessment is recommended if there are any sperm-related concerns). The husband's presence isn't required on the day of transfer — the wife can travel alone, accompanied by MIZUHO PHARMA's interpreter. If the husband can't take time off for multiple trips, sperm can be collected and frozen at the initial visit, eliminating the need for him to be present for subsequent cycles.
We can't guarantee it, but there's good reason to think it's worth trying. Repeated failures (three or more failed transfers) often point to an underlying cause that hasn't yet been identified. Japanese physicians conduct a more comprehensive evaluation of recurrent implantation failure, including ERA endometrial receptivity testing, immune factor screening, and advanced sperm optimization — tests that aren't yet widely available at some hospitals at home. By identifying the true cause of failure and tailoring the treatment plan accordingly, treatment in Japan can be a valuable option for patients who've experienced repeated failures.
A complete fresh-cycle IVF typically requires 2–3 trips to Japan: the first for the initial visit and testing (3–5 days); the second for egg retrieval and embryo culturing (3–5 days, requiring either a continuous stay or a return trip in between); if a fresh transfer is planned, it's completed within the same retrieval cycle, while a frozen transfer requires a third trip (2–3 days). By handling some monitoring at home with remote guidance from your Japanese physician, total time spent in Japan can typically be kept to around 10–15 days.
The medical cost of IVF treatment in Japan typically runs approximately $11,000–$28,000 USD, covering egg retrieval, embryo culturing, transfer, and basic medication. If additional testing such as PGT or ERA is needed, costs will increase accordingly. You should also budget for flights and accommodation across multiple trips. (Figures are rounded USD estimates converted from the original RMB pricing.) Overall, IVF in Japan costs more than treatment at home, but for patients who have experienced multiple failed attempts elsewhere, the improved success rate that comes from a fresh assessment and tailored plan is often well worth the investment.
Absolutely. Typically, once pregnancy is confirmed (via blood test approximately 14 days after transfer) and fetal heartbeat is confirmed (via ultrasound approximately 6–7 weeks after transfer), the Japanese hospital will transition your care to a local physician at home for ongoing prenatal management. MIZUHO PHARMA helps translate the pregnancy confirmation report issued by the Japanese hospital into your language, making it easier to register for prenatal care at a hospital back home. If any special circumstances require further communication with your Japanese physician, we continue to provide translation support.
Every couple's situation is unique. Contact MIZUHO PHARMA today — our advisors will provide a professional initial assessment and guidance based on your specific circumstances. Your first consultation is completely free.
