On 10th May, Jikei Hospital, Kumamoto City, opened Japan's first 'baby hatch', which allows people to anonymously abandon babies.

The hatch is an incubator that can be accessed inside and outside the hospital.

Supporters of the German-inspired scheme see it as a way to save the lives of infants. Others see it encouraging abandonment.

The president of the company operating the hospital said he would like the project to develop into a "window for consultation," continuing that, "...there are pros and cons, but what is most important is to save babies' lives."

Prime Minister Abe criticized the scheme, saying he wants parents to consult the government or local administrative authorities before giving up their babies.

And Chief Cabinet Secretary Shiozaki said it is impermissible for parents to abandon their babies.

The hospital said it has been flooded with phone calls about pregnancy and the baby hatch since it opened.

Babies left at the hospital will be sent to infant homes after being cared for at the hospital.

A police spokesman said it was possible for parents to be prosecuted if babies were found abused or left in a debilitated condition.

Kumamoto mayor, Seishi Koyama, said that the city would cooperate with the hospital to ensure the baby hatch works, adding, "Japanese society should become one where such a facility is not needed."

Kumamoto governor, Yoshiko Shiotani, said the hatch was a last resort for saving babies' lives and was not intended to encourage parents to abandon their babies.